雙語智慧書·不要解釋太多

253．不要解釋太多
　　不要解釋太多。很多人不珍重他們懂得的東西，而是推崇他們不懂的東西。想讓某物受到重視，就要讓人花些代價：人們對于費腦筋的事物才會給予很高的估價。如果你希望人們對你評價甚高，在與他們打交道時，就一定要顯得比他們所要求的更明智、更審慎。但是要適當，不能過分。盡管對明理人來說，事情本身就已足夠；但是對于大部分人來說，需要注意說話的技巧，不要給他們留時間來批評你，要讓他們忙于琢磨你的意思。許多人贊美某物，卻不知道為什么。原因就是：他們認為不懂的東西很神秘，從而產(chǎn)生敬畏；因為聽到別人贊美，所以他們也要贊美。


253．Do not explain overmuch
　Do not explain overmuch. Most men do not esteem what they understand, and venerate what they do not see. To be valued things should cost dear: what is not understood becomes overrated. You have to appear wiser and more prudent than he requires with whom you deal, if you desire to give him a high opinion of yourself; yet in this there should be moderation and no excess. And though with sensible people common sense holds its own, with most men a little elaboration is necessary. Give them no time for blame: occupy them with understanding your drift. Many praise a thing without being able to tell why, if asked. The reason is that they venerate the unknown as a mystery, and praise it because they hear it praised.