雙語智慧書·學(xué)會控制自己

207．學(xué)會控制自己
　　學(xué)會控制自己。你必須考慮意外災(zāi)禍的發(fā)生。沖動會讓你失去謹(jǐn)慎，甚至招致毀滅。一瞬間的憤怒或者喜悅，要比長時間的平靜導(dǎo)致更多的失控，而短暫的失控也許會讓你一生蒙羞。他人狡猾地利用這種機會來誘惑你，想查看你的內(nèi)心，以探知你謹(jǐn)慎的限度。自控就是對策，且對突發(fā)的緊急事件尤其適用。為防止沖動，你要再三考慮--馬背上的智者需要雙倍的聰明。懂得危險之人會謹(jǐn)慎行事。如果脫口而出，也許言者無心，但可能聽者有意。


207．Be moderate
　Be moderate. One has to consider the chance of a mischance. The impulses of the passions cause prudence to slip, and there is the risk of ruin. A moment of wrath or of pleasure carries you on farther than many hours of calm, and often a short diversion may put a whole life to shame. The cunning of others uses such moments of temptation to search the recesses of the mind: they use such thumbscrews as are wont to test the best caution. Moderation serves as a counterplot, especially in sudden emergencies. Much thought is needed to prevent a passion taking the bit in the teeth, and he is doubly wise who is wise on horseback. He who knows the danger may with care pursue his journey. Light as a word may appear to him who throws it out, it may import much to him that hears it and ponders on it.