28.超凡脱俗

28.超凡脱俗

超凡脱俗。首先在品味上,更须脱俗。当你为取悦平庸大众之所为有所不安,说明你尚且伟大而明智。庸俗大众的掌声绝对无法满足智者,但也有投俗取宠的变色龙(1)——他们特喜吞食大众之俗气,而不愿呼吸阿波罗之和煦清风。再者,见识要脱俗。不要以平庸大众的惊叹为乐,因为无知之人只会惊叹。当庸人惊叹之时,智者要谨防受其蒙蔽。

28.Common in nothing

Common in nothing. First, not in taste. O great and wise, to be ill at ease when your deeds please the mob! The excesses of popular applause never satisfy the sensible. There are such chameleons of popularity that they find enjoyment not in the sweet savors of Apollo but in the breath of the mob. Secondly, not in intelligence. Take no pleasure in the wonder of the mob, for ignorance never gets beyond wonder. While vulgar folly wonders wisdom watches for the trick.

(1) 变色龙代表虚荣,古人以为它靠吸风、饮气维生。