《智慧书·第四辑·一五一至二百》第7则
Do not make Mistakes about Character. That is the worst and yet easiest error. Better be cheated in the price than in the quality of goods. In dealing with men, more than with other things, it is necessary to look within. To know men is different from knowing things. It is profound philosophy to sound the depths of feeling and distinguish traits of character. Men must be studied as deeply as books.
注释摘要
标题与正文合在一起，才显出这则格言的完整分量：不要看错人的品性，这是最糟糕也最容易犯的错。接下来的话把道理拉到了一个几乎粗暴的层面——与其在价钱上被骗，不如在货色上被骗；宁可多花了钱，也好过看走了眼。葛拉西安在说一个很简单的事：和人打交道，看外在容易，看内在极难。认识人和认识物，是两套截然不同的功夫。他把“看人”叫作一门深刻的哲学，要求我们像研读书籍一样，…