《智慧书·第二辑·五一至一百》第15则
Elevated Taste. You can train it like the intellect. Full knowledge whets desire and increases enjoyment. You may know a noble spirit by the elevation of his taste: it must be a great thing that can satisfy a great mind. Big bites for big mouths, lofty things for lofty spirits. Before their judgment the bravest tremble, the most perfect lose confidence. Things of the first importance are few; let appreciation be rare. Taste can be imparted by intercourse: great good luck to associate with the highest taste. But do not affect to be dissatisfied with everything: 'tis the extreme of folly, and more odious if from affectation than if from Quixotry. Some would have God create another world and other ideals to satisfy their fantastic imagination.
注释摘要
这则格言的标题与正文构成一个完整的判断：高雅的品味是可以后天培养的，正如人的理智可以通过学习得到锻炼。葛拉西安开篇便把品味从天生禀赋的领域拉进了可教可学的范畴，这在十七世纪的语境里是一个相当自觉的转向，因为品味一词在当时仍主要与贵族阶层的天然素质联系在一起。 他接着用一个带有生理快感意味的句子推进：完备的知识不但不会消解欲望，反而会磨利它、加深享受。这句话…