培根散文隨筆集第12章：Of Boldness 論勇 （中英對照）
培根散文隨筆集中英對照，通過閱讀文學名著學語言，是掌握英語的絕佳方法。既可接觸原汁原味的英語，又能享受文學之美，一舉兩得，何樂不為？
12 of boldness 論勇
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.
有人問德冒斯尼斯，一位演說家最主要的才能是什么？他說
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。這雖是小學讀本中一段濫熟的故事，然而值得明哲之士底思索。說這話的人是最懂得所說的事情的人，又是一個在他所稱揚的事情上沒有天生的優勢的人。表情在一位演說家所有的才能中不過是表面的一種，并且是屬于優伶的一種長處，然而竟會被抬得這樣高，超出那些其他的長技，如獨創，口齒清晰等等；不特此也，簡直好象這一種表面的才能是唯一無二的，是一切底一切似的，這真是怪事了。然而其理由顯而易見的。人性之中總以愚者底部分比智者底部分為多；因此那些能夠引動人心中愚蠢之一部的才能是最有力的了。同這個非常之相似的，就是在世務中的勇氣：頭一件是什么？勇氣：第二件第三件是什么？勇氣。是勇氣不過是無識與卑賤的產兒，比較別的關于世務的知識賤得多了。然而它真能迷惑并控制那些見識浮淺或膽量不足的人，而這種人又是數目最多的。更甚者，勇氣也能把有智之人在他們意志不堅強的時候克服了。因此我們常見勇氣在民治國家中曾有奇效，而在有統治階級或君主的國家中則不如此之甚：又勇氣總是在勇敢的人們初次活動的時候功效大，而以后就沒有這樣大了；因為勇氣是不善于守信的。
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