世間沒有人是完美的，所有人時不時地都需要別人的忠告，從不傾聽他人建議的人是無可救藥的傻瓜。即使是卓越超凡的智者也應留心聽取他人善意的忠告；即便是統治者也需要學會聽取他人的意見。而有些人之所以不可救藥只是因為他們拒人於千里之外，沒有人敢在他們失足時拉他們一把。身居高位之人應將友誼之門打開，他們也許能因此獲得幫助。朋友應該可以隨時對我們提出忠告，甚至責備我們，而彼此不會覺得難堪。是我們對他的滿意和對他堅定的信任賦予了他這項權力。我們不必尊重或相信每一個人，但是在我們的內心深處，我們需要一位能推心置腹的知己作鏡子，來糾正自己的錯誤，讓我們對其心存感激。

巴爾塔沙 葛拉西安

Do Not Be Inaccessible

No one is so perfect that he does not needat times the advice of others. He is an incorrigible ass who will never listento any one. Even the most surpassing intellect should find a place for friendlycounsel. Sovereignty itself must learn to lean. There are some that areincorrigible simply because they are inaccessible: they fall to ruin becausenone dares to extricate them. The highest should have the door open forfriendship; it may prove the gate of help. A friend must be free to advice, andeven to upbraid, without feeling embarrassed. Our satisfaction in him and ourtrust in his steadfast faith give him that power. One need not pay respect orgive credit to every one, but in the innermost of his precaution man has a truemirror of a confidant to whom he owes the correction of his errors, and has tothank for it.

Baltasar Gracian

Incorrigible:無可救藥的不能被糾正的

Fall to ruin 毀滅

Extricate:解救救出

Upbraid:責備

Confidant:心腹朋友知己