《智慧书·第一辑·一至五十》第39则
Recognise when Things are ripe, and then enjoy them. The works of nature all reach a certain point of maturity; up to that they improve, after that they degenerate. Few works of art reach such a point that they cannot be improved. It is an especial privilege of good taste to enjoy everything at its ripest. Not all can do this, nor do all who can know this. There is a ripening point too for fruits of intellect; it is well to know this both for their value in use and for their value in exchange.
注释摘要
一切事物都有它最成熟的那一刻，认得那一刻，并且在那时去享用，这便是这则格言要讲的事。标题和正文合在一起，才构成完整的意思：先要认出事物何时到了它的成熟点，然后才谈得上享用。葛拉西安拿自然界来做对照：自然所造之物，都会达到一个成熟的高点，在那之前一直在增进，在那之后便开始衰败。至于人做的艺术品，极少有到了那一步便不能再加改进的。因此，能把一切事物都放在它最成…