《智慧书·第一辑·一至五十》第45则
Use, but do not abuse, Cunning. One ought not to delight in it, still less to boast of it. Everything artificial should be concealed, most of all cunning, which is hated. Deceit is much in use; therefore our caution has to be redoubled, but not so as to show itself, for it arouses distrust, causes much annoy, awakens revenge, and gives rise to more ills than you would imagine. To go to work with caution is of great advantage in action, and there is no greater proof of wisdom. The greatest skill in any deed consists in the sure mastery with which it is executed.
注释摘要
这一则讨论的是诡计与审慎之间的微妙界限。标题和首句已经点明全部立场：狡黠可以用，但不能滥用，更不可引以为乐或引以为傲。葛拉西安在这里不是教人如何行骗，而是在画一条线——狡黠一旦被辨识出来，就立刻从优势变为负债。西班牙原文里关键的一对词是 astucia 和 cautela，英文译作 cunning 和 caution，但原文中的张力更尖锐：astucia …