《智慧书·第四辑·一五一至二百》第34则
Do not be Ceremonious. Even in a king affectation in this was renowned for its eccentricity. To be punctilious is to be a bore, yet whole nations have this peculiarity. The garb of folly is woven out of such things. Such folk are worshippers of their own dignity, yet show how little it is justified since they fear that the least thing can destroy it. It is right to demand respect, but not to be considered a master of ceremonies. Yet it is true that a man to do without ceremonies must possess supreme qualities. Neither affect nor despise etiquette: he cannot be great who is great at such little things.
注释摘要
这一则格言的标题和正文原本是一句话的两半：不要做一个过分拘泥于礼节的人。葛拉西安在这里瞄准的是一种特定的人格类型，西班牙语里叫 ceremonioso，指的是那种把社交形式、身份规矩看得比什么都重的人。他把这种人格拆解得很彻底：过分讲究礼节的人实际上是在崇拜自己的尊严，却恰恰暴露出那份尊严是多么经不起推敲，因为他们害怕最细微的疏忽就足以摧毁它。这句话是全则…