214．不要把一个错误变成两个错误

不要把一个错误变成两个错误。人们总是为了挽救一个错误，再犯四个错误；为了一次大意找借口，往往要再次大意。愚蠢不是谎言的亲戚，就是谎言的家人，因为它们都需要几个来支持一个。做了错事还辩解最糟糕，比罪过还糟糕的就是不能掩饰罪过。为一次过错支付抚恤金就够了，不要负担更多。智者也会做错事，但不会一错再错。即使滑倒，也是奔跑之时的大意，而非站立之时的故意。

214．Do not turn one blunder into two

Do not turn one blunder into two. It is quite usual to commit four others in order to remedy one, or to excuse one piece of impertinence by still another. Folly is either related to, or identical with the family of Lies, for in both cases it needs many to support one. The worst of a bad case is having to fight it, and worse than the ill itself is not being able to conceal it. The annuity of one failing serves to support many others. A wise man may make one slip but never two, and that only in running, not while standing still.