《智慧书·第二辑·五一至一百》第39则
Know Yourself —in talents and capacity, in judgment and inclination. You cannot master yourself unless you know yourself. There are mirrors for the face but none for the mind. Let careful thought about yourself serve as a substitute. When the outer image is forgotten, keep the inner one to improve and perfect. Learn the force of your intellect and capacity for affairs, test the force of your courage in order to apply it, and keep your foundations secure and your head clear for everything.
注释摘要
这是全书中极少数没有采用任何比喻与对仗、几乎像一段内心独白的格言。标题 Know Yourself 已经给出了全部线索——他直接回到了德尔斐神谕与苏格拉底传统的源头，但给出的并不是哲学命题，而是一套具体到可以操作的自省清单：才能、能力、判断力、倾向。这四个词的排列顺序并非随意。才能与能力属于禀赋与执行力，判断力属于理智，倾向则直指意志与欲望的流向。他要人挨…