155．掌控激情的艺术

掌控激情的艺术。若有可能，就让审慎深思来对抗低俗冲动，谨慎之人不难做到这点。意识到自己处于激情是掌控激情的第一步。这样，你就开始了控制自我情绪的斗争，你必须恰当地调节自己的激情——令其既有必要，又不过分。这是发怒而又止怒之关键技巧。你应该知道何时、如何止住它为最好，疾步狂奔之时是最难停下来的，同理，盛怒之际还能保持头脑清醒，这最能证明你的明智。每次过分激动都是对理性的背弃。但是，通过灵活的驾驭，理性永远不会被逾越，也不会超过自身防范的界限。为了驾驭激情，你必须抓牢注意力之缰绳。谁能做到这一点，谁就是骑在马背上的第一个智者(1)，也许还是最后一个。

155．The art of mastering your passions

The art of mastering your passions. If possible, oppose vulgar importunity with prudent reflection; it will not be difficult for a really prudent man. The first step towards mastering a passion is to perceive that you are in a passion. By this means you begin the conflict with command over your temper, for one has to regulate one's passion to the exact point that is necessary and no further. This is the art of arts in falling into and getting out of a rage. You should know how and when best to come to a stop: it is most difficult to halt while running at the double. It is a great proof of wisdom to remain clear-sighted during paroxysms of rage. Every excess of passion is a digression from rational conduct. But by this masterly policy reason will never be transgressed, nor pass the bounds of its own prophylaxis. To keep control of passion one must hold firm the reins of attention: he who can do so will be the first man "wise on horseback," and probably the last.