《智慧书·第一辑·一至五十》第25则
Know how to take a Hint. "Twas once the art of arts to be able to discourse; now 'tis no longer sufficient. We must know how to take a hint, especially in disabusing ourselves. He cannot make himself understood who does not himself easily understand. But on the other hand there are pretended diviners of the heart and lynxes of the intentions. The very truths which concern us most can only be half spoken, but with attention we can grasp the whole meaning. When you hear anything favourable keep a tight rein on your credulity; if unfavourable, give it the spur.
注释摘要
这则格言把标题和正文接在一起，是说：曾经，善于发话便是艺术中的艺术；如今仅此已不够，还得懂得听出弦外之音，尤其是在别人想要点醒你、让你从某种错觉里走出来的时候。自己不能轻松听懂的人，也就无法让别人理解他。不过，葛拉西安紧接着又把话拉回来：世上也有一类人，自封为心灵的下者、意图的天猫，假装能看透一切。最关切我们的那些真相，往往只能说到一半，但若能留心，就能把…