《智慧书·第五辑·二〇一至二五〇》第27则
Do not be the Slave of First Impressions. Some marry the very first account they hear: all others must live with them as concubines. But as a lie has swift legs, the truth with them can find no lodging. We should neither satisfy our will with the first object nor our mind with the first proposition: for that were superficial. Many are like new casks who keep the scent of the first liquor they hold, be it good or bad. If this superficiality becomes known, it becomes fatal, for it then gives opportunity for cunning mischief; the ill-minded hasten to colour the mind of the credulous. Always therefore leave room for a second hearing. Alexander always kept one ear for the other side. Wait for the second or even third edition of news. To be the slave of your impressions argues want of capacity, and is not far from being the slave of your passions.
注释摘要
这则格言的标题与正文是一句话的两半：不要做第一印象的奴隶。英文里那句“marry the very first account they hear”，原文用的是 casarse con，就是“嫁给”第一个听到的说法，其余的说法只好像妾室一样将就着活。这个婚姻与妾室的比喻在巴洛克时代的西班牙不会让人皱眉头，它本就是一套讲法；葛拉西安紧接着用了一个更贴近下层的…