势利纷华 ① ,不近者为洁,近之而不染者为尤洁;智械机巧,不知者为高,知之而不用者为尤高。
① 势利纷华:势利,权力和财势;纷华,繁华富丽。二者泛指一切具有诱惑力的物质。
权势和奢华,不去接近的是人品高洁,接近了但不受其影响的,则人品尤为高洁。
计谋和巧诈,不知道的堪称人品高贵,知道了但从不使用的,人品堪称尤为高贵。
It is decent for one not to be close to power, influence and extravagance, the more so for him not to be sullied even if being close to them.
It is noble for one not to be acquainted with intrigues and plots, the more so for him not to resort to them even if having such acquaintances.