世上的一半人嘲笑另一半人，其实他们都是蠢人。任何事都有可能是好事或坏事，关键在于表决的人。同样的东西有人追求也有人厌恶。想要按照自己的观点去左右事情的人，愚蠢得令人难以忍受。某人某物是否优异不取决于一人的好恶。世上有这么多的人，这么多的口味，各不相同。任何缺点都有人喜欢。如无法取悦于人，你不必沮丧——自会有别人欣赏。我们也不应被别人的赞赏冲昏头脑，因为会有其他人对此谴责。真正的赞扬是声名显赫之人的认同，是该领域中专家的认可。你应该保持独立，无论是面对任何一种观点、任何一种时尚、任何一个世纪。
one half of the world laughs at the other, and fools are they all. everything is good or everything is bad according to the votes they gain. what one pursues another persecutes. he is an insufferable ass that would regulate everything according to his ideas. excellences do not depend on a single man's pleasure. so many men, so many tastes, all different. there is no defect which is not affected by some, nor need we lose heart if things do not please some, for others will appreciate them. nor need their applause turn our head, for there will surely be others to condemn. the real test of praise is the approbation of famous men and of experts in the matter. you should aim to be independent of any one vote, of any one fashion, of any one century.
