281．赢得智者的好感

赢得智者的好感。杰出人物一声淡淡的“是”，比粗俗之人的所有欢呼更有价值。谷壳之烟不能煮熟一顿饭。智者说话富有见地，他们的赞扬能给你长久的满足。圣人安提格诺斯把自己的名声全部归于芝诺一人(1)，柏拉图也说亚里士多德一人就相当于他所有的学生(2)。有的人则使劲用乌合之众的污浊气息来填满自己的胃。即便是君主，也需要有作家为他立传，他们畏惧作家之笔，胜过丑女畏惧画家之笔。

281．Find favour with men of good sense

Find favour with men of good sense. The tepid Yes of a remarkable man is worth more than all the applause of the vulgar: you cannot make a meal off the smoke of chaff. The wise speak with understanding and their praise gives permanent satisfaction. The sage Antigonus reduced the theatre of his fame to Zeus alone, and Plato called Aristotle his whole school. Some strive to fill their stomach albeit only with the breath of the mob. Even monarchs have need of authors, and fear their pens more than ugly women the painter's pencil.