78.做事有道
做事有道。蠢人倉促行事,因?yàn)橛薮揽偸囚斆?。他們頭腦簡(jiǎn)單,疏于防范,這也使他們?cè)谑『蟛桓械叫邜u。但是,審慎之人做事則十分謹(jǐn)慎,小心探查前路是否有危險(xiǎn)。小心謹(jǐn)慎可避免每次因魯莽而陷入危險(xiǎn),盡管有時(shí)候時(shí)運(yùn)可助人一臂之力。如果不知前路深淺,小心慢行才是。即便有所防范,明智之人依然小心謹(jǐn)慎,慎重前行。如今,人際交往中有許多不可預(yù)知的陷阱,走每一步都投石問路,是很有必要的。
78.The art of undertaking things
The art of undertaking things. Fools rush in through the door; for folly is always bold. The same simplicity which robs them of all attention to precautions deprives them of all sense of shame at failure. But prudence enters with more deliberation. Its forerunners are caution and care; they advance and discover whether you can also advance without danger. Every rush forward is freed from danger by caution, while fortune sometimes helps in such cases. Step cautiously where you suspect depth. Sagacity goes cautiously forward while precaution covers the ground. Nowadays there are unsuspected depths in human intercourse, you must therefore cast the lead at every step.