《智慧书·第四辑·一五一至二百》第3则
Beware of entering where there is a great Gap to be filled. But if you do it be sure to surpass your predecessor; merely to equal him requires twice his worth. As it is a fine stroke to arrange that our successor shall cause us to be wished back, so it is policy to see that our predecessor does not eclipse us. To fill a great gap is difficult, for the past always seems best, and to equal the predecessor is not enough, since he has the right of first possession. You must therefore possess additional claims to oust the other from his hold on public opinion.
注释摘要
这一则的标题与正文是同一句话的前后两半。葛拉西安提醒他的读者：小心那种前任留下了巨大空缺、正等着你去填补的位置。如果非接不可，那你就必须实实在在地超越前任；仅仅做到和他一样好，实际上需要你付出双倍的价值。接着他把视角翻转了一次——你希望将来离职时，继任者能差到让你被怀念，这固然是高明的手段；同理，你眼下也必须防范自己的前任把你衬得黯然无光。填补一个大空缺之…