《智慧书·第六辑·二五一至三百》第6则
Go armed against Discourtesy, and against perfidy, presumption, and all other kinds of folly. There is much of it in the world, and prudence lies in avoiding a meeting with it. Arm yourself each day before the mirror of attention with the weapons of defence. Thus you will beat down the attacks of folly. Be prepared for the occasion, and do not expose your reputation to vulgar contingencies. Armed with prudence, a man cannot be disarmed by impertinence. The road of human intercourse is difficult, for it is full of ruts which may jolt our credit. Best to take a byway, taking Ulysses as a model of shrewdness. Feigned misunderstanding is of great value in such matters. Aided by politeness it helps us over all, and is often the only way out of difficulties.
注释摘要
这则格言的标题与正文开篇其实是一句话劈成两半：披甲上阵对抗那些失礼、背信、傲慢以及一切蠢行，因为世上这种东西太多，审慎的做法在于压根别跟它们碰头。葛拉西安在这里用的西班牙文 prudencia，并非我们今日泛泛而论的谨慎或保守，而是他整套思想里最核心的范畴，指一种能在具体情境中分辨出什么该做、什么该避、何时进、何时退的实践理性。开头这几句里藏着一个看似矛盾…