智慧書（中英雙語） · 96．至高無上的辨別力

96．至高無上的辨別力 至高無上的辨別力。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，應該當作人生居於首位的、最優秀的素質而來求取，它是我們的甲冑之要件。它如此重要，沒有它，我們就是有缺陷的人——而別的素質不過是多點少點的問題。生活中的一切行為都有賴於它作決定，都需要它的幫助。因為無論做什麼事都需要智力。辨別力天生便傾向於最理性的路線，且融合了對最確切事物的喜愛。 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.