《智慧书·第五辑·二〇一至二五〇》第23则
Be not Eccentric, neither from affectation nor carelessness. Many have some remarkable and individual quality leading to eccentric actions. These are more defects than excellent differences. And just as some are known for some special ugliness, so these for something repellant in their outward behaviour. Such eccentricities simply serve as trademarks through their atrocious singularity: they cause either derision or ill-will.
注释摘要
这一则的标题与正文合在一起，实际上是在界定“古怪”的反面究竟是什么。葛拉西安说的“不古怪”，并非要人泯然于众人、毫无个性，而是拒绝那种沦为标签的畸形特征。英译的eccentric在西班牙原文中是extravagante，这个词在他那个时代与社会性直接挂钩：它不只是“与众不同”，而是“向外偏离了合宜的范围”，是一种在举止上被判为不得体的状态。值得留意的是他把…