96.至高無(wú)上的辨別力
至高無(wú)上的辨別力。它是理智的寶座,是審慎的基石。有了它,你只需付出少許便能獲得成功。它是上帝賜予人類的禮物,應(yīng)該當(dāng)作人生居于首位的、最優(yōu)秀的素質(zhì)而來(lái)求取,它是我們的甲胄之要件。它如此重要,沒(méi)有它,我們就是有缺陷的人--而別的素質(zhì)不過(guò)是多點(diǎn)少點(diǎn)的問(wèn)題。生活中的一切行為都有賴于它作決定,都需要它的幫助。因?yàn)闊o(wú)論做什么事都需要智力。辨別力天生便傾向于最理性的路線,且融合了對(duì)最確切事物的喜愛(ài)。
96.The highest discretion
The highest discretion. It is the throne of reason, the foundation of prudence: by its means success is gained at little cost. It is a gift from above, and should be prayed for as the first and best quality. It is the main piece of the panoply, and so important that its absence makes a man imperfect, whereas with other qualities it is merely a question of more or less. All the actions of life depend on its application; all require its assistance, for everything needs intelligence. Discretion consists in a natural tendency to the most rational course, combined with a liking for the surest.