智慧書（中英雙語） · 283．擁有善於發現之天賦

283．擁有善於發現之天賦 擁有善於發現之天賦。這是頂級天才的一大表現。但是，天才何時沒有一點瘋狂呢？如果善於發現是天才的一項特殊稟賦，善於選擇則是良斷的一項標誌。善於發現是一種特殊的恩賜，十分罕見。大部分人能探究已被發現之事，但首先發現它卻只是少數人的才能——他們是最優秀的，在整個時代也是首屈一指的。新奇事物讓人讚嘆，如果成功，則為擁有者贏得雙倍的榮譽。在作判斷之時，追新求異是很危險的，因為那樣可能導致謬誤；而在發明創造方面，求新求奇則應得到十足的稱讚。如果二者都能成功，則都值得喝彩。 283．Have the gift of discovery Have the gift of discovery. It is a proof of the highest genius, yet when was genius without a touch of madness? If discovery is a gift of genius, choice of means is a mark of sound sense. Discovery comes by special grace and very seldom. For many can follow up a thing when found, but to find it first is the gift of the few, and those the first in excellence and in age. Novelty flatters, and if successful gives the possessor double credit. In matters of judgment novelties are dangerous because leading to paradox, in matters of genius they deserve all praise. Yet both equally deserve applause if successful.