《智慧书·第一辑·一至五十》第8则
To be without Passions. Tis a privilege of the highest order of mind. Their very eminence redeems them from being affected by transient and low impulses. There is no higher rule than that over oneself, over one's impulses: there is the triumph of free will. While passion rules the character, no aiming at high office; the less the higher. It is the only refined way of avoiding scandals; nay, 'tis the shortest way back to good repute.
注释摘要
这则格言的标题和正文原本是一句话：做到没有激情乃是最高心智的特权。葛拉西安在这里用的西班牙语原文是 pasiones，在他这套话里，这个词指的并不是我们今天说的热情、热爱或强烈的兴趣，而是那些扰乱理性、使人失去自主的被动冲动——恐惧、愤怒、贪欲、过度的忧伤，一切让一个人被外部刺激牵着走的内心波动。所谓没有激情，不是把人变成没有温度的石头，而是理智对内心骚动…