《智慧书·第三辑·一〇一至一五〇》第50则
Know to get your Price for Things. Their intrinsic value is not sufficient; for all do not bite at the kernel or look into the interior. Most go with the crowd, and go because they see others go. It is a great stroke of art to bring things into repute; at times by praising them, for praise arouses desire at times by giving them a striking name, which is very useful for putting things at a premium, provided it is done without affectation. Again, it is generally an inducement to profess to supply only connoisseurs, for all think themselves such, and if not, the sense of want arouses the desire. Never call things easy or common: that makes them depreciated rather than made accessible. All rush after the unusual, which is more appetising both for the taste and for the intelligence.
注释摘要
这则标题就是正文的头半句，“知所取价”——知道怎么给自己的东西定个价码。葛拉西安接下去马上把话说完：光凭一件事物本身的质地并不足够，因为不是所有人都去咬那个果核、不是所有人都往里面看。这里的“咬果核”在西班牙原文里是一句概念主义的浓缩双关，既指咬开坚果吃到仁，也指探究事物的内核。大部分人跟着人群走，他们之所以走过去，无非因为看见别人也在走。整句话拆开来，其…