《智慧书·第一辑·一至五十》第24则
Keep the Imagination under Control; sometimes correcting, sometimes assisting it. For it is all-important for our happiness, and even sets the reason right. It can tyrannise, and is not content with looking on, but influences and even often dominates life, causing it to be happy or burdensome according to the folly to which it leads. For it makes us either contented or discontented with ourselves. Before some it continually holds up the penalties of action, and becomes the mortifying lash of these fools. To others it promises happiness and adventure with blissful delusion. It can do all this unless the most prudent self-control keeps it in subjection.
注释摘要
想象力在巴洛克时代的西班牙语里，imaginación指的远不止是今天所谓的空想或创意；它关乎心灵生成形象、情景乃至整个替代世界的能力。葛拉西安给本则的标题和正文是一句话的两半，合起来的意思就是：控制住你的想象力，既要懂得纠正它，也要知道去辅助它。他并没有一刀切地贬低想象力，而是要求对它进行一种弹性的治理。 这句话里，it even sets the re…