《智慧书·第四辑·一五一至二百》第23则
Do not be Glass in Intercourse, still less in Friendship. Some break very easily, and thereby show their want of consistency. They attribute to themselves imaginary offences and to others oppressive intentions. Their feelings are even more sensitive than the eye itself, and must not be touched in jest or in earnest. Motes offend them: they need not wait for beams. Those who consort with them must treat them with the greatest delicacy, have regard to their sensitiveness, and watch their demeanour, since the slightest slight arouses their annoyance. They are mostly very egoistic, slaves of their moods, for the sake of which they cast everything aside: they are the worshippers of punctilio. On the other hand, the disposition of the true lover is firm and enduring, so that it may be said that the Arrant is half adamant.
注释摘要
葛拉西安在这里用“玻璃”做了一个概念主义的隐喻，玻璃既是透明的又是易碎的，这个双重性恰好击中了他想要诊断的那类人。标题与正文一气呵成：在人情来往中不要做玻璃，在友谊里尤其不要做玻璃。他说的不是敏感本身，而是那种一碰就碎、还要把碎片归咎于他人蓄意撞击的性情。这种人不是在感知世界，而是在随时寻找自己被冒犯的证据。 “他们给自己编造想象中的冒犯，给别人安上压迫性…