雙語智慧書·不要成為第一印象的奴隸

227．不要成為第一印象的奴隸
　　不要成為第一印象的奴隸。有些人把首次所聞娶為妻，把其他說法納為妾。但是，由于謊言捷足先登，真相就無法在這種人那里棲身。不要用最初的目標來滿足愿望，也不要讓第一印象充斥頭腦，因為那是膚淺的。很多人就像裝酒的新桶，都會保留首次入桶的酒的味道，無論酒好酒壞。如果這種膚淺被別人知曉，就會有災難降臨，這還會給那些狡猾的人做壞事的機會。居心不良者總是急于把輕信者的頭腦涂上顏色，因此，定要在頭腦中留出地方，用來舉行第二次聽證會。亞歷山大總會空出一只耳朵，來傾聽事情的另一面。要等待消息的第二甚至第三個版本。如果成為第一印象的奴隸，則說明缺乏心智，那么，成為沖動的奴隸就為期不遠了。


227．Do not be the slave of first impressions
　Do not be the slave of first impressions. Some marry the very first account they hear; all others must live with them as concubines. But as a lie has swift legs, the truth with them can find no lodging. We should neither satisfy our will with the first object nor our mind with the first proposition: for that were superficial. Many are like new casks who keep the scent of the first liquor they hold, be it good or bad. If this superficiality becomes known, it becomes fatal, for it then gives opportunity for cunning mischief; the ill-minded hasten to colour the mind of the credulous. Always therefore leave room for a second hearing. Alexander always kept one ear for the other side. Wait for the second or even third edition of news. To be the slave of your impressions shows want of capacity, and is not far from being the slave of your passions.