278.避免抢眼而招致恶名

278.避免抢眼而招致恶名

避免抢眼而招致恶名。即使是优点,若太著名,也将成为缺点。恶名来自离奇,怪人总受谴责,异类总让人避之不及。若打扮过分,即便美貌也会损人名誉,它太吸引注意力,会招致不满。对名誉有损的怪异行径更是让人指责。但是有些恶人想在堕落中寻求新奇,以获得不名誉之名声。就算是学识,讲时若不适度,也会沦为饶舌。

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.