227．不要成为第一印象的奴隶

不要成为第一印象的奴隶。有些人把首次所闻娶为妻，把其他说法纳为妾。但是，由于谎言捷足先登，真相就无法在这种人那里栖身。不要用最初的目标来满足愿望，也不要让第一印象充斥头脑，因为那是肤浅的。很多人就像装酒的新桶，都会保留首次入桶的酒的味道，无论酒好酒坏。如果这种肤浅被别人知晓，就会有灾难降临，这还会给那些狡猾的人做坏事的机会。居心不良者总是急于把轻信者的头脑涂上颜色，因此，定要在头脑中留出地方，用来举行第二次听证会。亚历山大总会空出一只耳朵，来倾听事情的另一面。要等待消息的第二甚至第三个版本。如果成为第一印象的奴隶，则说明缺乏心智，那么，成为冲动的奴隶就为期不远了。

227．Do not be the slave of first impressions

Do not be the slave of first impressions. Some marry the very first account they hear; all others must live with them as concubines. But as a lie has swift legs, the truth with them can find no lodging. We should neither satisfy our will with the first object nor our mind with the first proposition: for that were superficial. Many are like new casks who keep the scent of the first liquor they hold, be it good or bad. If this superficiality becomes known, it becomes fatal, for it then gives opportunity for cunning mischief; the ill-minded hasten to colour the mind of the credulous. Always therefore leave room for a second hearing. Alexander always kept one ear for the other side. Wait for the second or even third edition of news. To be the slave of your impressions shows want of capacity, and is not far from being the slave of your passions.