获取信息要谨慎。生活中，我们亲眼所见之事为少数，要知晓其余的事，都得依靠他人提供信息。但是，耳闻多为谎言，而非真相。通常情况下，真相常由眼见得知，很少依靠耳闻。真相绝少来得纯粹，尤其是那些来自远方的，其中往往融入传播者的情绪。这些情绪改变了真相的色彩，使之可喜或可恶。这种“真相”总是带着人们的倾向，所以，当它来自那些高声颂扬之人时，我们要多多留心。当它来自责备者之时，我们更要留心。注意说话者的意图，提前了解他的立场，要用深思来防范虚假和夸张。
take care to get information. we live by information, not by sight. we exist by faith in others. the ear is the sidedoor of truth but the frontdoor of lies. the truth is generally seen, rarely heard; seldom she comes in elemental purity, especially from afar; there is always some admixture of the moods of those through whom she has passed. the passions tinge her with their colours wherever they touch her, sometimes favourably, sometimes the reverse. she always brings out the disposition, therefore receive her with caution from him that praises, with more caution from him that blames. pay attention to the intention of the speaker; you should know beforehand on what footing he comes. let reflection assay falsity and exaggeration.
