《智慧书·第五辑·二〇一至二五〇》第7则
Be Moderate. One has to consider the chance of a mischance. The impulses of the passions cause prudence to slip, and there is the risk of ruin. A moment of wrath or of pleasure carries you on farther than many hours of calm, and often a short diversion may put a whole life to shame. The cunning of others uses such moments of temptation to search the recesses of the mind: they use such thumbscrews as are wont to test the best caution. Moderation serves as a counterplot, especially in sudden emergencies. Much thought is needed to prevent a passion taking the bit in the teeth, and he is doubly wise who is wise on horseback. He who knows the danger may with care pursue his journey. Light as a word may appear to him who throws it out, it may import much to him that hears it and ponders on it.
注释摘要
理智的人会在激情的悬崖边勒马，但葛拉西安说，真正危险的不是悬崖本身，而是你以为自己正在平地上散步。这一则的标题与正文构成一个完整的判断：要保持节制，因为你必须为那场尚未发生的意外留出余地。英文译本里的“mischance”是意译，西班牙原文指向的是一种概率性的变故，一种随时可能从秩序缝隙里钻出来的偶然——而激情正好为它敞开了大门。 激情冲击之下，审慎会滑倒…