《智慧书·第六辑·二五一至三百》第24则
Be Attractive, it is the magic of subtle courtesy. Use the magnet of your pleasant qualities more to obtain goodwill than good deeds, but apply it to all. Merit is not enough unless supported by grace, which is the sole thing that gives general acceptance, and the most practical means of rule over others. To be in vogue is a matter of luck, yet it can be encouraged by skill, for art can best take root on a soil favoured by nature. There goodwill grows and develops into universal favour.
注释摘要
这则格言的西班牙文标题是 Agraciado，正文开头的 Atractivo 与之呼应，两者都来自同一个词根 gracia。在葛拉西安笔下，gracia 同时兼有两种意思，一指外在的风度与吸引力，二指天主教的恩典，意思是自然赐予的好感。他说得直白：才华若无恩典般的吸引力加持，就不足以获得普遍认可。这不是一句关于美貌的劝告，而是一条关于被接纳何以可能的法则。…