二、與其練達 不若樸魯

2. Better be honest and straightforward than scheming and calculating.

涉世淺，點染①亦淺；曆事深，機械②亦深。故君子與其練達③，不若樸魯④；與其曲謹⑤，不若疏狂。

【注 釋】

① 點染：熏染。此處指受社會不良風氣的影響。

② 機械：巧詐，機巧。

③ 練達：閱曆豐富而通曉人情世故。

④ 樸魯：樸實魯鈍。此處指不諳人情世故。

⑤ 曲謹：指過於謹小慎微。

【今文解譯】

涉世尚淺的人，受不良風氣的影響也少；而閱曆豐富的人，心裏的算計也多。所以，君子與其精明老到，不如純樸愚魯；與其謹小慎微，不如狂放不羈。

【English Translation】

A man who is less experienced in the world will equally be less stained with its undesirable trends. A man who has seen more of the world will equally be more trickery and crafty. It is therefore worthwhile for the man of moral integrity to remain honest and straightforward rather than become scheming and calculating, and remain large-minded and unrestrained rather than become overcautious and fainthearted.