《智慧书·第六辑·二五一至三百》第28则
Avoid Notoriety in all Things. Even excellences become defects if they become notorious. Notoriety arises from singularity, which is always blamed: he that is singular is left severely alone. Even beauty is discredited by coxcombry, which offends by the very notice it attracts. Still more does this apply to discreditable singularities. Yet among the wicked there are some that seek to be known for seeking novelties in vice so as to attain to the fame of infamy. Even in matters of the intellect want of moderation may degenerate into loquacity.
注释摘要
这则的标题与正文，其实说的是同一件事：葛拉西安警告的并非默默无闻——书中别处他还要人懂得展示自己——而是“以出格的方式被人人挂在嘴边的那一类名声”。“Notoriety”在这里不是好声望，是“人人都知道你的那一点事”，而且这点事让人皱眉。 他立论的起点是一把快刀：卓越本身一旦变成惹眼的谈资，就成了缺陷。这把刀怎么斩下去？他用的词是“singularity”…