Prize Intensity more than Extent.

Excellence resides in quality not in quantity. The best is always few

and rare: much lowers value. Even among men giants are commonly the
real dwarfs. Some reckon books by the thickness, as if they were
written to try the brawn more than the brain. Extent alone never
rises above mediocrity: it is the misfortune of universal geniuses
that in attempting to be at home everywhere, are so nowhere.
Intensity gives eminence, and rises to the heroic in matters sublime.

与其博，不如精

完美靠的是质量而非数量。世上的好东西时常小而难求，过多必无誉。就拿人来
说也是如此：伟人们往往是矮子。有的人赞扬一些书，只是因为这些书是庞然巨
著，好像它们之所以被写出来不是为了锻炼我们的智力而是为了锻炼我们的臂
力。只靠广博则难免成为平庸之
辈，有所谓通才总想在学业上门门皆精，结果却常常是门门皆瘟。学业专攻必结
硕果；若从事重要的事务，则必得美名。