雙語智慧書·預防流言蜚語

86．預防流言蜚語
　　預防流言蜚語。烏合之眾是多頭怪獸。他們長著多雙伺機制造惡意的眼睛，一個濫施誹謗的舌頭。一旦有一樁丑聞被傳播，你清白的名聲就會被玷污。如果流言再給你一個渾名綽號，你的聲譽便危機四伏。一般而言，流言蜚語源于你身上的某些突出弱點或可笑缺陷。有時，這是個別嫉妒我們的人故意捏造出來的，以引發(fā)眾人的猜忌。要毀掉他人的聲譽，出自卑劣口舌的嘲諷比直接的控訴還要容易。惡名易得，因邪惡容易讓人相信卻難以消除。因此明智之人應避免這類災禍，保持警惕防止那些卑劣的流言。預防可比糾正容易得多。


86．Prevent scandal
　Prevent scandal. Many heads go to make the mob, and in each of them are eyes for malice to use and a tongue for detraction to wag. If a single ill report spread, it casts a blemish on your fair fame, and if it clings to you with a nickname, your reputation is in danger. Generally it is some salient defect or ridiculous trait that gives rise to the rumours. At times these are malicious additions of private envy to general distrust. For there are wicked tongues that ruin a great reputation more easily by a witty sneer than by a direct accusation. It is easy to get into bad reputation, because it is easy to believe evil of anyone: it is not easy to clear yourself. The wise accordingly avoid these mischances, guarding against vulgar scandal with sedulous vigilance. It is far easier to prevent than to rectify.