《智慧书·第四辑·一五一至二百》第13则
Never, from Sympathy with the Unfortunate, involve Yourself in his Fate. One man's misfortune is another man's luck, for one cannot be lucky without many being unlucky. It is a peculiarity of the unfortunate to arouse people's goodwill who desire to compensate them for the blows of fortune with their useless favour, and it happens that one who was abhorred by all in prosperity is adored by all in adversity. Vengeance on the wing is exchanged for compassion afoot. Yet 'tis to be noticed how fate shuffles the cards. There are men who always consort with the unlucky, and he that yesterday flew high and happy stands to-day miserable at their side. That argues nobility of soul, but not worldly wisdom.
注释摘要
这一则标题与正文构成一个完整的警示句：决不同情不幸者以致把自己卷入他的命运。葛拉西安开篇就给出一句冷峻得近乎残酷的格言：一人的不幸就是另一人的运气，因为没有人能幸运而不伴随许多人的不幸。他说的不是统计学意义上的概率，而是十七世纪宫廷社会里零和竞争的逻辑——恩宠、职位、声望都是有限物，有人升必有人降，一人的得必然是另一人的失。 接下来他描述了一种他视为危险的…