《智慧书·第六辑·二五一至三百》第37则
Never act in a Passion. If you do, all is lost. You cannot act for yourself if you are not yourself, and passion always drives out reason. In such cases interpose a prudent go-between who can only be prudent if he keeps cool. That is why lookers-on see most of the game, because they keep cool. As soon as you notice that you are losing your temper beat a wise retreat. For no sooner is the blood up than it is spilt, and in a few moments occasion may be given for many days' repentance for oneself and complaints of the other party.
注释摘要
格言说，一旦受了情绪支配，一切就都完了。这里的"激情"不是十七世纪以后才流行起来的泛指一切强烈情感，而是特指被愤怒冲昏头脑时那股压倒了理性的冲动。葛拉西安这句话有一个不易察觉的递进：你不能替自己行事，因为此刻你已经不是你自己。主语两次变化，"你"先是失去了行动能力，接着连自身的同一性都保不住——这正是概念主义喜欢玩的句法紧缩，一个短句同时讲了功能丧失和人格…