《智慧书·第三辑·一〇一至一五〇》第6则
Do not parade your Position. To outshine in dignity is more offensive than in personal attractions. To pose as a personage is to be hated: envy is surely enough. The more you seek esteem the less you obtain it, for it depends on the opinion of others. You cannot take it, but must earn and receive it from others. Great positions require an amount of authority sufficient to make them efficient: without it they cannot be adequately filled. Preserve therefore enough dignity to carry on the duties of the office. Do not enforce respect, but try and create it. Those who insist on the dignity of their office, show they have not deserved it, and that it is too much for them. If you wish to be valued, be valued for your talents, not for anything adventitious. Even kings prefer to be honoured for their personal qualifications rather than for their station.
注释摘要
这一则的标题与正文构成一个完整的判断句：“不要炫耀你的地位——在尊荣上压人一头，比在个人魅力上压人一头更招人反感。”葛拉西安在这里处理的不是地位本身的好坏，而是地位如何在他人眼中显现。他抓住的是一个悖论：你越向外展示自己的尊荣、越想让人承认你的地位，你得到的恰恰越少。因为尊荣不像一件外衣可以自己披上，它本质上是别人赋予你的看法。你可以夺取权力，但尊重只能被…