《智慧书·第二辑·五一至一百》第34则
Make use of your Enemies. You should learn to seize things not by the blade, which cuts, but by the handle, which saves you from harm: especially is this the rule with the doings of your enemies. A wise man gets more use from his enemies than a fool from his friends. Their ill-will often levels mountains of difficulties which one would otherwise not face. Many have had their greatness made for them by their enemies. Flattery is more dangerous than hatred, because it covers the stains which the other causes to be wiped out. The wise will turn ill-will into a mirror more faithful than that of kindness, and remove or improve the faults referred to. Caution thrives well when rivalry and ill-will are next-door neighbours.
注释摘要
敌人这一概念，在这则格言里被翻转了：他不再只是需要提防的对象，反而成了可以被利用的工具。刀刃与刀柄的比喻开宗明义——一把刀，握刀刃会割伤自己，握刀柄则安全且能用它做事。葛拉西安要说的正是，对待敌人的言行也当如此：不要去碰那些会刺伤你的尖刻之处，而要从另一个角度抓住它，让它为你所用。 智者从敌人那里得到的，比愚者从朋友那里得到的更多：这句话是整个格言的核心翻…