《智慧书·第五辑·二〇一至二五〇》第17则
Neither Love nor Hate, for ever Trust the friends of to-day as if they will be enemies to-morrow, and that of the worst kind. As this happens in reality, let it happen in your precaution. Do not put weapons in the hand for deserters from friendship to wage war with. On the other hand, leave the door of reconciliation open for enemies, and if it is also the gate of generosity so much the more safe. The vengeance of long ago is at times the torment of to-day, and the joy over the ill we have done is turned to grief,
注释摘要
这段话开头便摆出一对情感的两端：不要爱，也不要恨。标题“Neither Love nor Hate”与正文第一句实为一体，意思是要把心绪稳定在一个不易被撼动的中间地带，然后才引出真正的建议：永远以今日的朋友可能成为明天最坏的敌人这一心态去信任他们。这里的“信任”已经不是我们常说的信赖，而是一种带着清醒预判的、有保留的交往方式。紧接着的一句话在原文里形成一个…