207.学会控制自己
学会控制自己。你必须考虑意外灾祸的发生。冲动会让你失去谨慎,甚至招致毁灭。一瞬间的愤怒或者喜悦,要比长时间的平静导致更多的失控,而短暂的失控也许会让你一生蒙羞。他人狡猾地利用这种机会来诱惑你,想查看你的内心,以探知你谨慎的限度。自控就是对策,且对突发的紧急事件尤其适用。为防止冲动,你要再三考虑——马背上的智者需要双倍的聪明。懂得危险之人会谨慎行事。如果脱口而出,也许言者无心,但可能听者有意。
207.Bemoderate
Bemoderate。Onehastoconsiderthechanceofamischance。Theimpulsesofthepassionscauseprudencetoslip,andthereistheriskofruin。Amomentofwrathorofpleasurecarriesyouonfartherthanmanyhoursofcalm,andoftenashortdiversionmayputawholelifetoshame。Thecunningofothersusessuchmomentsoftemptationtosearchtherecessesofthemind:theyusesuchthumbscrewsasarewonttotestthebestcaution。Moderationservesasacounterplot,especiallyinsuddenemergencies。Muchthoughtisneededtopreventapassiontakingthebitintheteeth,andheisdoublywisewhoiswiseonhorseback。Hewhoknowsthedangermaywithcarepursuehisjourney。Lightasawordmayappeartohimwhothrowsitout,itmayimportmuchtohimthathearsitandpondersonit。