英語名篇誦讀菁華 1-01 A Gentleman 紳士
What is a gentleman?
It is almost a definition of a gentleman to say he is one who never inflicts pain. This description is both refined and,as far as it goes,accurate. He is mainly occupied in merely removing the obstacles which hinder the free and unembarassed action of those about him,and he concurs with their movements rather than takes the initiative himself.
紳士是個(gè)從來都不會(huì)給人帶來痛苦的人，這幾乎成了紳士的定義。這一描述不僅精煉，而且現(xiàn)在看來也依然是準(zhǔn)確的。他的主要職責(zé)就是消除那些阻礙周圍的人自如行動(dòng)的障礙。而且他與其他人行動(dòng)一致，而不是采取主動(dòng)。
His benefits may be considered as parallel to what are called comforts or conveniences in arrangements of a personal nature: like an easy chair or a good fire,which do their part in dispelling cold and fatigue,though nature provides both means of rest and animal heat without them.
他的益處相當(dāng)于個(gè)人生活中給人們帶來舒適或便利的事物，就像安樂椅或溫暖的火，能夠驅(qū)除寒冷和疲勞，盡管沒有它們，大自然也能提供休息的場所，人也可以靠體溫來保持溫暖。
The true gentleman in like manner carefully avoids whatever may cause ajar or a jolt in the minds of those with whom he is cast;---all clashing of opinion,or collision of feeling,all restraint,or suspicion,or gloom,or resentment; his great concern being to make every one at their ease and at home.
同樣，真正的紳士會(huì)小心避免給接觸到的人造成思想上的混亂或震動(dòng)。他會(huì)小心避免給接觸到的人造成思想上的混亂或震動(dòng)。他會(huì)小心避免一切意見上的沖突，情感上的沖撞，避免一切拘束、懷疑、憂郁或怨恨；對(duì)他來說，讓每個(gè)人都覺得輕松自在是頭等大事。
He has his eyes on all his company; he is tender towards the bashful,gentle towards the distant,and merciful towards the absurd; he can rocollect to whom he is speaking; he guards against unseasonable allusions,or topics which may irritate; he is seldom prominent in conversation,and never wearisome. He makes light of favours while he does them and seems to be receiving when he is conferring.
他關(guān)注他周圍所有的人，他對(duì)害羞的人體貼，對(duì)冷淡的人溫和，對(duì)愚蠢的人寬容，他會(huì)注意談話的對(duì)象，他會(huì)提防不恰當(dāng)?shù)挠吧洌蚴且恍┛赡芰钊瞬话驳脑掝}。他很少在談話中突出自己。但也不令人感到乏味。在給別人幫助時(shí)，他會(huì)輕描淡寫，讓人感覺他似乎是在接受幫助而不是給予幫助。
He never speaks of himself except when compelled,never defends himself by a mere retort,he has no ears for slander or gossip,is crupulous in imputing motives to those who interfere with him,and interprets everything for the best.
他從不談?wù)撟约?，除非情勢所迫，他從不為自己辯護(hù)，就連一句反駁也不說，他從不聽信閑言碎語，當(dāng)有人妨礙自己時(shí)，他會(huì)極為審慎地推測他們這么做的動(dòng)機(jī)；他會(huì)盡量把事情往好處想。
He is never mean or little in his disputes,never takes unfair advantage,never mistakes personalities or sharp saying for arguments,or insinuates evil which he dare not say out.From a long-sighted prudence,he ovserves the maxim of the ancient sage,that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend.
爭論時(shí)他從不采取卑劣的手段，從不利用別人的弱點(diǎn)，從不把他人的個(gè)性或尖銳的言辭當(dāng)作吵架的由頭，也不會(huì)含沙射影地說一些他不敢直接說出來的令人不舒服的話?；谟邢纫娭鞯纳钪\遠(yuǎn)慮，他尊奉先賢的格言，那就是我們對(duì)待敵人的態(tài)度要好像他將來某一天會(huì)成為我們的朋友一樣。
He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults,he is too well employed to remember injuries,and too indolent to bear malice. He is patient,forbearing,and resigned,on principles,he submits to pain,because it is inevitable,to bereavement,because it is irreparable,and to death,because it is destiny. If he engages in controversy of any kind,his disciplined intellect preserves him from the blunder.
他極為明智，能避免遭到侮辱，他非常忙碌，以至于記不住別人對(duì)他的傷害，他又十分懶散，不會(huì)去怨恨別人。從哲學(xué)原則上講，他是耐心的，寬容的，順從的。他承受痛苦，因?yàn)檫@是不可避免的。他忍受喪親之痛，因?yàn)檫@是無法挽回的，它直面死亡，因?yàn)檫@是他最終的命運(yùn)。如果他陷入任何爭議之中，他訓(xùn)練有素的智力會(huì)使他免于做錯(cuò)事情。
