39.了解事物成熟的時機,并善加利用
了解事物成熟的時機,并善加利用。萬物都有其成熟之時--在此之前它們不斷完善,然后逐漸衰退。至于人工之物,則很少能夠達到完美的頂點而無需改進。那些高品位的人的特權,就是在事物達到完美之時充分享受它。并非人人都能分辨出這一時刻;即便能夠辨別,也未必知道如何享用。智慧的果實也有成熟之時,要善察其時,以便利用它的使用價值和交換價值。
39.Recognize when things are ripe, and then enjoy them
Recognize when things are ripe, and then enjoy them. The works of nature all reach a certain point of maturity; up to that they improve, after that they degenerate. Few works of art reach such a point that they cannot be improved. It is an especial privilege of good taste to enjoy everything at its ripest. Not all can do this, nor do all who can know this. There is a ripening point too for fruits of intellect; it is well to know this both for their value in use and for their value in exchange.