278.避免搶眼而招致惡名
避免搶眼而招致惡名。即使是優(yōu)點,若太著名,也將成為缺點。惡名來自離奇,怪人總受譴責(zé),異類總讓人避之不及。若打扮過分,即便美貌也會損人名譽,它太吸引注意力,會招致不滿。對名譽有損的怪異行徑更是讓人指責(zé)。但是有些惡人想在墮落中尋求新奇,以獲得不名譽之名聲。就算是學(xué)識,講時若不適度,也會淪為饒舌。
278.Avoid notoriety in all things
Avoid notoriety in all things. Even excellences become defects if they become notorious. Notoriety arises from singularity, which is always blamed: he that is singular is left severely alone. Even beauty is discredited by coxcombry, which offends by the very notice it attracts. Still more does this apply to discreditable eccentricities. Yet among the wicked there are some that seek to be known for seeking novelties in vice so as to attain to the fame of infamy. Even in matters of the intellect want of moderation may degenerate into loquacity.