《智慧书·第二辑·五一至一百》第26则
Do not always be Jesting. Wisdom is shown in serious matters, and is more appreciated than mere wit. He that is always ready for jests is never ready for serious things. They resemble liars in that men never believe either, always expecting a lie in one, a joke in the other. One never knows when you speak with judgment, which is the same as if you had none. A continual jest soon loses all zest. Many get the repute of being witty, but thereby lose the credit of being sensible. Jest has its little hour, seriousness should have all the rest.
注释摘要
这则格言的标题与正文是一句话劈成的两半：上半句是禁令——不要总是开玩笑，下半句直指后果——你会让自己的严肃性永远无法被辨认。葛拉西安的论述建立在一条严厉的类比上：总是开玩笑的人跟撒谎者是一路货色。他们的共同之处不在于说话内容真不真，而在于一种系统的不可信：你永远不知道他们什么时候是说正经的，久而久之就等同他们从来没说过正经话。结尾的对句“Jest has …