《智慧书·第六辑·二五一至三百》第38则
Live for the Moment. Our acts and thoughts and all must be determined by circumstances. Will when you may, for time and tide wait for no man. Do not live by certain fixed rules, except those that relate to the cardinal virtues. Nor let your will subscribe fixed conditions, for you may have to drink the water to-morrow which you cast away to-day. There be some so absurdly paradoxical that they expect all the circumstances of an action should bend to their eccentric whims and not vice versa. The wise man knows that the very polestar of prudence lies in steering by the wind.
注释摘要
葛拉西安在这一则里提出的是一个看似轻巧、实则锋利无比的论断：明智的人不靠固定的章程过日子，而是靠眼前的情势来决定言行取舍。标题与正文是一句话的两半，完整意思是：活在当下，使我们的行为、思虑乃至一切都由具体境遇来裁定；你固然可以在意志下定决心的那一刻行动，但不能指望时机会停下来等你。他紧接着划出一条硬边界：这一点不以普适的固定规则来生活，只有那些关乎四枢德的…