《智慧书·第二辑·五一至一百》第11则
To Excel in what is Excellent. A great rarity among excellences. You cannot have a great man without something pre-eminent. Mediocrities never win applause. Eminence in some distinguished post distinguishes one from the vulgar mob and ranks us with the elect. To be distinguished in a Small post is to be great in little: the more comfort, the less glory. The highest eminence in great affairs has the royal characteristic of exciting admiration and winning goodwill.
注释摘要
这一句的标题与正文其实是一句话的两半：在卓越之物上达到卓越，题目点出领域，正文展开解释。葛拉西安一开篇就说这是“众卓越之中的稀罕物”，因为他在这里关心的不是一个人有没有某种优秀的品质，而是那种品质本身是不是被公认为高等的——并且你还得在那种高等的事上占到顶尖。这不是单纯说“把事做好”，而是指你所选取的那个“好”的标尺本身就决定了你能在怎样的数量级里发光。 …