He that is only real, had need have exceeding great parts of virtue: as the stone had need to be rich, that is set without foil.
只有确实内在品格很高的人，才适合不拘小节。犹如没有衬景的宝石，必须自身珍贵才会蒙受爱重一样。
But if a man mark it well, it is in praise and commendation of men as it is in gettings and gains: for the proverb is true, that light gains make heavy purses; for light gains come thick, whereas great come but now and then. So it is true, that small matters win great commendation, because they are continually in use, and in note: whereas the occasion of any great virtue cometh but on festivals.
深入观察人生会看出，获得赞扬之道犹如经商致富之道，正像一句俗话所说：“薄利才能多销。”同样，小节上的一丝不苟常可赢得很高的称赞。因为小节更易为人注意，而施展大才的机会犹如节日，并非每天都有。因此，举止彬彬有礼的人，一定能赢得好的名誉。这正如西班牙的伊丽莎白女王所说，“礼节乃是一封通行四方的推荐书。”
Therefore it doth much add to a man's reputation, and is (as Queen Isabella said) like perpetual letters commendatory, to have good forms. To attain them, it almost sufficeth, not to despise them: for so shall a man observe them in others: and let him trust himself with the rest. For if he labour too much to express them, he shall lose their grace; which is to be natural and unaffected.
其实要习得优美的举止，只要做到细心就可以。因为人只要不粗忽，他就自然会乐于观察和摹仿别人的优点。礼节要举动自然才显得高贵。假如在表现上过于做作，那就失去了应有的价值。因为举止优美本身就包括自然和纯真。有的人举止言谈好像在作曲，其中的每一音节都仔细推敲过。也有人举止粗放不拘礼仪，这种不自重的结果是别人也放弃对他的尊重。
Some men's behaviour is like a verse, wherein every syllable is measured: how can a man comprehend great matters, that hreaketh his mind too much to small observations? Not to use ceremonies at all, is to teach others not to use them again; and so diminisheth respect to himself: especially they be not to be omitted to strangers, and formal natures: but the dwelling upon them, and exalting them above the moon, is not only tedious, but doth diminish the faith and credit of him that speaks.
礼仪是微妙的东西，它既是人类间交际所不可或缺的，却又是不可过于计较的。如果把礼仪形式看得高于一切，结果就会失去人与人真诚的信任。因此在语言交际中要善于找到一种分寸，使之既直爽又不失礼。这是最难又是最好的。
And certainly, there is a kind of conveying of effectual and imprinting passages, amongst compliments, which is of singular use, if a man can hit upon it Amongst a man's peers, a man shall be sure of familiarity; and therefore, it is good a little to keep state. Amongst a man's inferiors, one shall be sure of reverence; and therefore it is good a little to be familiar. He that is too much in anything, so that he giveth another occasion of satiety, maketh himself cheap. To apply one's self to others is good: so it be with demonstration, that a man doth it upon regard and not upon facility. It is a good precept, generally in seconding another, yet to add somewhat of one's own: as if you will grant his opinion, let it be with some distinction; if you will follow his motion, let it be with condition; if you allow his counsel, let it be with alleging further reason. Men had need beware, how they be too perfect in compliments; for be they never so sufficient otherwise, their enviers will be sure to give them that attribute, to the disadvantage of their greater virtues. It is loss also in business, to be too full of respects, or to be too curious in observing times and opportunities. Solomon saith; He that considered! the wind shall not sow, and he that looketh to the clouds shall not reap. A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. Men's behaviour should be like their apparel, not too strait, or point device, but free for exercise or motion.
要注意-----在亲密的同伴之间应注意保持矜持以免被狎犯。在地位较低的下属面前却不妨显得亲密会倍受敬重。事事都伸头的人是自轻自贱并惹人厌嫌的。好心助人时要让人感到这种帮助是出自对他的爱重，而并非你天生多情乐施。表示一种赞同的时候，不要忘记乐施还有所保留-----以表明这种赞同并非阿谀而经过思考。即使对很能干的人，也不可过于恭维，否则难免被你的嫉妒者看作拍马屁。在面临大事之际，就不要过于计较形式。否则将如所罗门所说的：“看风者无法播种，看云者不得收获。”只有愚者才等待机会，而智者则造就机会。总而言之，礼貌举止正好比人的穿衣-----既不可太宽也不可太紧。要讲究而有余地，宽裕而不失大体，如此行动才能自如。
