《智慧书·第一辑·一至五十》第34则
Know your strongest Point— your pre-eminent gift; cultivate that and you will assist the rest. Every one would have excelled in something if he had known his strong point. Notice in what quality you surpass, and take charge of that. In some judgment excels, in others valour. Most do violence to their natural aptitude, and thus attain superiority in nothing. Time disillusionises us too late of what first flattered the passions.
注释摘要
这一则的标题与正文几乎是一句话的两半，合起来才完足。前半句说“知道你最强之点——你那出类拔萃的天赋”，后半句紧接着给出理由与判断。“最强之点”不是泛指所有长处，而是指那一个压倒性的、让人与众不同的禀赋，人必须自己去把它认出来，再把它栽培成熟，然后其余的能力才能得到支撑。 在这则里，葛拉西安用了一个他很少正面展开的词“祛魅”（desengaño）。结尾句说，…