《智慧书·第一辑·一至五十》第31则
Select the Lucky and avoid the Unlucky. Ill-luck is generally the penalty of folly, and there is no disease so contagious to those who share in it. Never open the door to a lesser evil, for other and greater ones invariably slink in after it. The greatest skill at cards is to know when to discard; the smallest of current trumps is worth more than the ace of trumps of the last game. When in doubt, follow the suit of the wise and prudent; sooner or later they will win the odd trick.
注释摘要
这是一则以牌局为隐喻、讲人际选择的格言。标题与正文形成完整的一句话：选择幸运者而避开不幸者——原因紧接着铺出来，厄运多半是愚蠢的刑罚，而且它是会传染的。葛拉西安一口气给了三个递进的规劝：不给小恶开门，否则大恶跟着溜进来；牌桌上最大的本事是知道什么时候弃牌；拿不准的时候就跟着智者和审慎之人的花色走，他们早晚会赢下那决定胜负的一墩。 整个比喻建立在一种宫廷社会…