《智慧书·第六辑·二五一至三百》第14则
Have no careless Days. Fate loves to play tricks, and will heap up chances to catch us unawares. Our intelligence, prudence, and courage, even our beauty, must always be ready for trial. For their day of careless trust will be that of their discredit. Care always fails just when it was most wanted. It is thoughtlessness that trips us up into destruction. Accordingly it is a piece of military strategy to put perfection to its trial when unprepared. The days of parade are known and are allowed to pass by, but the day is chosen when least expected so as to put valour to the severest test.
注释摘要
这一则的英译标题 Have no careless Days，对应的西班牙文原文是“No tener días de descuido”，更直白的理解是不要有松弛的、不设防的日子。正文其实是把这个标题扩写成了一套戏剧性的军事譬喻：命运喜欢捉弄人，会攒着各种偶然来打我们一个猝不及防；所以一个人的智识、审慎、勇气，甚至美貌，都必须始终处于随时可以接受检验的状态…