《智慧书·第五辑·二〇一至二五〇》第38则
Know what is wanting in Yourself. Many would have been great personages if they had not had something wanting without which they could not rise to the height of perfection. It is remarkable with some that they could be much better if they could be better in something. They do not perhaps take themselves seriously enough to do justice to their great abilities; some are wanting in geniality of disposition, a quality which their entourage soon find the want of, especially if they are in high office. Some are without organising ability, others lack moderation. In all such cases a careful man may make of habit a second nature.
注释摘要
这则格言的标题与正文构成一个完整的论断：人应当知道自己欠缺什么，因为许多原本可以成就非凡的人，恰恰被某一项缺失绊住了，再也无法抵达他们本可触及的高度。后面的话都是对这一句的展开。葛拉西安用的词是 wanting，译自西班牙原文的 faltar，意思是缺失、不足、缺了某样东西，而不是道德上的缺陷。这里说的不是罪过，而是一种能力或性情上的空白，它单独看可能不算…