《智慧书·第三辑·一〇一至一五〇》第32则
Revise your Judgments. To appeal to an inner Court of Revision makes things safe. Especially when the course of action is not clear, you gain time either to confirm or improve your decision. It affords new grounds for strengthening or corroborating your judgment. And if it isa matter of giving, the gift is the more valued from its being evidently well considered than for being promptly bestowed: long expected is highest prized. And if you have to deny, you gain time to decide how and when to mature the No that it may be made palatable. Besides, after the first heat of desire is passed the repulse of refusal is felt less keenly in cold blood. But especially when men press for a reply is it best to defer it, for as often as not that is only a feint to disarm attention.
注释摘要
这则格言的标题与正文合在一起才构成一个完整的意思：重审你的判断，也就是向内心设立一个复审的法庭。整条格言讲的不是一个抽象的认识论问题，而是一种时间策略。葛拉西安的论点很清楚：在行动路径不明朗的时候，拖延本身可以成为一种理智的工具。耽搁不是优柔寡断，而是让你在为或不为之前获得一个额外的观察窗口，借此巩固或修正最初的决定。 他把这个道理分别套用到“给予”和“拒…