《智慧书·第五辑·二〇一至二五〇》第24则
Never take Things against the Grain, no matter how they come. Everything has a smooth and a seamy side, and the best weapon wounds if taken by the blade, while the enemy's spear may be our best protection if taken by the staff. Many things cause pain which would cause pleasure if you regarded their advantages. There is a favourable and an unfavourable side to everything, the cleverness consists in finding out the favourable. The same thing looks quite different in another light; look at it therefore on its best side and do not exchange good for evil. Thus it haps that many find joy, many grief, in everything. This remark is a great protection against the frowns of fortune, and a weighty rule of life for all times and all conditions.
注释摘要
这则格言的西班牙文原文标题是“No tomar las cosas al través”，意思是不要把东西横着拿。正文紧接着就把这个日常动作提升为一个完整的处世原则：一切事物都有光面与糙面、有刃与有柄，最锋利的武器拿住刃口会割伤自己，而敌人的长矛握住杆柄反而可以成为自我的护具。这一句在巴洛克概念主义的典型写法里，一个意象同时在讲物理事实和道德事实。刃与柄不…