《智慧书·第六辑·二五一至三百》第29则
Do not contradict the Contradicter. You have to distinguish whether the contradiction comes from cunning or from vulgarity. It is not always obstinacy, but may be artfulness. Notice this: for in the first case one may get into difficulties, in the other into danger. Caution is never more needed than against spies. There is no such countercheck to the picklock of the mind as to leave the key of caution in the lock.
注释摘要
这则格言在中文译本里常被译作“不要反驳反驳者”或“别跟抬杠的人抬杠”，标题与正文确实在概念主义式的压缩中构成了同一句话的递进。葛拉西安的意思不是泛泛地劝人忍让，而是在一个充满言语陷阱的宫廷世界里，要求你首先分辨对方为什么反驳你，然后才决定如何应对。他把反驳者的动机拔成两截：一种是出于狡诈，一种是出于粗鄙。前者是经过设计的，其危险在于你在明他在暗，你若认真回…