《智慧书·第五辑·二〇一至二五〇》第28则
Do not be a Scandal-monger. Still less pass for one, for that means to be considered a slanderer. Do not be witty at the cost of others: it is easy but hateful. All men have their revenge on such an one by speaking ill of him, and as they are many and he but one, he is more likely to be overcome than they convinced. Evil should never be our pleasure, and therefore never our theme. The backbiter is always hated, and if now and then one of the great consorts with him, it is less from pleasure in his sneers than from esteem for his insight. He that speaks ill will always hear worse.
注释摘要
这则格言劝人不做丑闻的散布者，更警告人不要担上这个名头。葛拉西安劈头就把“做”与“被认作”分开：你也许觉得自己只是随口一说，但一旦被人当成搬弄是非之徒，别人就按这个标签来对待你。标题Scandal-monger与正文第一句里的pass for one本是一句话的两半，正体现了概念主义的惯用手法——先用一个浓缩标题打头，再把意思拆开来说。标题强调不要做，正文…