《智慧书·第一辑·一至五十》第18则
Application and Ability. There is no attaining eminence without both, and where they unite there is the greatest eminence. Mediocrity obtains more with application than superiority without it. Work is the price which is paid for reputation. What costs little is little worth. Even for the highest posts it is only in some cases application that is wanting, rarely the talent. To prefer moderate success in great things than eminence in a humble post has the excuse of a generous mind, but not so to be content with humble mediocrity when you could shine among the highest. Thus nature and art are both needed, and application sets on them the seal.
注释摘要
这则格言的题目与正文在概念主义笔法下是一体的：题目是 X la Y 的对举结构，正文则把这二者展开为一整套关于才能与努力的权衡。葛拉西安并不是在主张一个比例，而是在做一个排除性的论断——单单有才能不够，单单有勤勉也不够，二者兼备才是他所谓“最高的卓越”。这听起来很像一句老生常谈的励志语，但接下来的展开才显出他特有的冷峻。 正文的第一层判断是一个比较级：“中…