168.不要淪為愚蠢的怪物
不要淪為愚蠢的怪物。虛榮、專橫、自我、言而無信、反復無常、頑固不化、不切實際、裝模作樣、異想天開、多管閑事、自相矛盾、拉幫結派以及所有偏執(zhí)的人,都是魯莽的怪物。精神畸形比身體殘缺更令人討厭,因為它與更高層次的美相抵觸??烧l能救助這種已經徹底混亂了的心智呢?如果缺乏自控,必不能容納他人之指導。這種人不在意人們真正的嘲笑,反而毫無根據(jù)地把它想象成他人的喝彩,以此來蒙騙自己。
168.Do not indulge in the eccentricities of folly
Do not indulge in the eccentricities of folly. Like vain, presumptuous, egotistical, untrustworthy, capricious, obstinate, fanciful, theatrical, whimsical, inquisitive, paradoxical, sectarian people and all kinds of one-sided persons: they are all monstrosities of impertinence. All deformity of mind is more obnoxious than that of the body, because it contravenes a higher beauty. Yet who can assist such a complete confusion of mind? Where self-control is wanting, there is no room for others' guidance. Instead of paying attention to other people's real derision, men of this kind blind themselves with the unfounded assumption of their imaginary applause.