《智慧书·第六辑·二五一至三百》第32则
Make use of Absence to make yourself more esteemed or valued. If the accustomed presence diminishes fame, absence augments it. One that is regarded as a lion in his absence may be laughed at when present as the ridiculous result of the parturition of the mountains. Talents get soiled by use, for it is easier to see the exterior rind than the kernel of greatness it encloses. Imagination reaches farther than sight, and disillusion, which ordinarily comes through the ears, also goes out through the ears. He keeps his fame that keeps himself in the centre of public opinion. Even the Phoenix uses its retirement for new adornment and turns absence into desire.
注释摘要
这则格言讲的是一个看似悖反的道理：你越是不在别人眼前，反而可能越被看重。葛拉西安的论点是，习惯性的在场会磨损名声，而适时的缺席反而能把它重新撑起来。他把标题和正文连成一句话——"利用缺席来让自己更受尊重或珍视"——随后立刻给出理由：如果经常露面让名声减损，那么抽身而退就能让它膨胀。 这里支撑论点的是一连串形象，典型的概念主义写法，每个比喻都压缩到不能更短。…