分清主要的东西和次要的东西。 ( Distinguish between primary and secondary things. )

者是次要的。 ( This is secondary. )

先写一些次要人物来烘托主要人物。 ( Write some secondary characters first to set off the main characters. )

高尚的品德和胜任工作的能力，这两个条件，前者是主要的，后者是次要的。 ( The two conditions of noble character and competence are the former, and the latter are secondary. )