培根散文随笔集第12章：Of Boldness 论勇 （中英对照）
培根散文随笔集中英对照，通过阅读文学名著学语言，是掌握英语的绝佳方法。既可接触原汁原味的英语，又能享受文学之美，一举两得，何乐不为？
12 of boldness 论勇
it is a trivial grammar school text, but yet worthy a wise man's consideration. question was asked of demosthenes; what was the chief part of an orator? he answered.
有人问德冒斯尼斯，一位演说家最主要的才能是什么？他说
action; what next? action; what next again? action. he said it, that knew it best; and had by nature, himself, no advantage in that he commended. a strange thing, that that part of an orator, which is but superficial, and rather the virtue of a player, should be placed so high, above those other noble parts, of invention, elocution, and the rest: nay almost alone, as if it were all in all. but the reason is plain. there is in human nature, generally, more of the fool than of the wise, and therefore those faculties, by which the foolish part of men's minds is taken, are most potent wonderful like is me case of boldness in civil business; what first? boldness; what second, and third? boldness. and yet boldness is a child of ignorance and baseness, far inferior to other parts. but nevertheless, it doth fascinate, and bind hand and foot, those that are either shallow in judgment, or weak in courage, which are the greatest part; yea, and prevaileth with wise men, at weak times. therefore, we see it hath done wonders, in popular states; but with senates and princes less; and more ever upon the first entrance of bold persons into action, man soon after, for boldness is an ill keeper of promise.
表情：其次呢？表情：又其次呢？表情。这虽是小学读本中一段滥熟的故事，然而值得明哲之士底思索。说这话的人是最懂得所说的事情的人，又是一个在他所称扬的事情上没有天生的优势的人。表情在一位演说家所有的才能中不过是表面的一种，并且是属于优伶的一种长处，然而竟会被抬得这样高，超出那些其他的长技，如独创，口齿清晰等等；不特此也，简直好象这一种表面的才能是唯一无二的，是一切底一切似的，这真是怪事了。然而其理由显而易见的。人性之中总以愚者底部分比智者底部分为多；因此那些能够引动人心中愚蠢之一部的才能是最有力的了。同这个非常之相似的，就是在世务中的勇气：头一件是什么？勇气：第二件第三件是什么？勇气。是勇气不过是无识与卑贱的产儿，比较别的关于世务的知识贱得多了。然而它真能迷惑并控制那些见识浮浅或胆量不足的人，而这种人又是数目最多的。更甚者，勇气也能把有智之人在他们意志不坚强的时候克服了。因此我们常见勇气在民治国家中曾有奇效，而在有统治阶级或君主的国家中则不如此之甚：又勇气总是在勇敢的人们初次活动的时候功效大，而以后就没有这样大了；因为勇气是不善于守信的。
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