41. 不可浓艳 不可枯寂
41. In everyday life, one should be neither too particular nor too casual-minded.

念头浓者 ^① ，自待厚，待人亦厚，处处皆浓；念头淡者 ^② ，自待薄，待人亦薄，事事皆淡。故君子居常嗜好，不可太浓艳，亦不宜太枯寂。

【中文注释】

① 念头浓者：凡事总图个讲究的人。

② 念头淡者：凡事皆不讲究的人。

【今文解译】

做事上心的人，善待自己，也善待别人，做什么都十分讲究，非尽善尽美不肯罢休；做事不上心的人，对自己马虎，对别人也马虎，做什么都随随便便，心不在焉。由此我们得以明白：君子平素的喜好，既不可太过讲究，也不可太不讲究。

【English Translation】

A man striving for exquisiteness has a habit to be considerate towards himself and towards others as well; wherever he goes, he intends to go in an exquisite manner. Whereas, a casual-minded man has a habit to be indifferent to himself and to others as well; whatever he does, he just does it with casualness.Therefore, a smart gentleman should be neither too particular about exquisiteness nor too casual-minded in his daily life and personal addictions. plUVQCxvLX0g9vNyjLlLbz2tiyMnqIhgD7H0YFdQ33hDE4KyupHnUyi3jj7EU/oQ