雙語智慧書·不要過分拘禮

184．不要過分拘禮
　　不要過分拘禮。就算是國王，這種裝模作樣會帶來怪癖之名聲。拘泥于細(xì)節(jié)往往令人討厭，而有的國家全國上下都有這一怪毛病。繁文縟節(jié)織就了蠢人的衣服，他們頂禮膜拜的是自己的尊嚴(yán)，但事實(shí)表明他們根本不夠格，因?yàn)樗麄兒ε伦罴?xì)微的小事就能摧毀他們的尊嚴(yán)。要求別人尊重自己，這沒錯(cuò)，但別把自己弄得像個(gè)儀式的司儀。當(dāng)然，如果想要不憑儀式就做成某件事，一定要有超凡的品質(zhì)。人不應(yīng)裝模作樣，也不應(yīng)該輕視禮節(jié)--在這種小事上顯得了不起的人并非偉人。


184．Do not be ceremonious
　Do not be ceremonious. Even in a king affectation in this was renowned for its eccentricity. To be punctilious is to be a bore, yet whole nations have this peculiarity. The garb of folly is woven out of such things. Such folk are worshippers of their own dignity, yet show how little it is justified since they fear that the least thing can destroy it. It is right to demand respect, but not to be considered a master of ceremonies. Yet it is true that a man to do without ceremonies must possess supreme qualities. Neither affect nor despise etiquette: he cannot be great who is great at such little things.