《智慧书·第六辑·二五一至三百》第33则
Have the Gift of Discovery. It is a proof of the highest genius, yet when was genius without a touch of madness? If discovery be a gift of genius, choice of means is a mark of sound sense. Discovery comes by special grace and very seldom. For many can follow up a thing when found, but to find it first is the gift of the few, and those the first in excellence and in age. Novelty flatters, and if successful gives the possessor double credit. In matters of judgment novelties are dangerous because leading to paradox, in matters of genius they deserve all praise. Yet both equally deserve applause if successful.
注释摘要
发现的能力——这个标题与正文第一句构成一个完整的命题：发现是最高天才的证明，然而天才何时不曾带一丝疯狂。这句话里的"天才"在原文中是 ingenio，一个重要到几乎可以用作概念主义宣言的词。在葛拉西安的词汇表里，ingenio 指的是心灵那种自发的、几乎不讲道理的创造力，能在看似无关的事物之间建立意料之外的连接。而紧接着他引入了一个对照：如果说发现本身依赖…