3.Of Parents and Children 论父母与子嗣-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《培根随笔集The Essays of Bacon》

3. Of Parents amd Children THE JOYS of parents are secret; and so are their griefs and fears. They cannot utter^{ the one; nor they will not utter the other. Children sweeten labors: but they make misfortunes more bitter. They increase the cares of life: but they mitigate② the remembrance of death. The perpetuity③ by generation is common to beasts; but memory; merit, and noble works are proper to men. And surely a man shall see the noblest works and foundations have proceeded from childless men; which have sought to express the images of their minds, where those of their bodies have failed. So the care of posterity{④} is most in them that have no posterity. They that are the first raisers of their houses are most indulgent} towards their children: beholding them as the continuance not only of their kind but of their work; and so both children and creatures. The difference in affection of parents towards their several children is many times unequal; and sometimes unworthy; especially in the mother; as Solomon saith, A wise son rejoiceth} the father, but an .O12· 3.论父母与子嗣 父母的欢欣是秘而不宣的,他们的忧愁与畏惧 亦是如此。他们的欢欣他们不能说,他们的忧惧他 ①utter/Ataa. 全然的 们也不肯说。子副使劳苦变甜,但是也使不幸更 ②mitigate /mitiqeit/减轻 苦。他们增加人生的忧虑,但是他们减轻关于死亡 ③ perpetuity /popi'tjuiti/ n 永恒 的记忆。由生殖而传种是动物同有的;但是名声、 德行与功业则是人类特有的;而最伟大的事业是从 无后嗣的人来的这种事实也是确实可见的:这些人 是在他们的躯体的影像无从表现之后努力想表现他 们精神的影像的。所以,无后代的人倒是最关心后 ④ posterity /pos'teriti/ n. 后 代 代的人了。首先树立家业的人们是对于他们的子嗣 最为纵容的;他们把子副看作不但是本族的继嗣。 indulgent /in'dAld3ont/a 纵容的 而且也是自己事业的继续;因此,他们对自己的子 嗣与自己所造的事物都是一样的看法。 父母对几个子嗣的慈爱往往是不平均的,而且 有时是不合理的。尤其以母亲的爱为然;如所罗门 所说:“智慧之子使父亲欢乐,愚味之子使母亲蒙 rejoice /ri'dsois/ v. 使.... 欢喜 羞。”常见在一子嗣满堂的家中,有一两个最长的 ·013· The Essays of Bacon ungracious son shames the mother. A man shall see, where there is a house full of children, one or two of the eldest respected, and the youngest made wantons{}; but in the midst some that are as it were forgotten, who many times nevertheless prove the best. The illiberality② of parents in allowance③ towards their children is an harmful error; makes them base: acquaints④ them with shifts: makes them sort{}with mean company; and makes them surfeit} more when they come to plenty. And therefore the proof is best, when men keep their authority towards their children, but not their purse. Men have a foolish manner (both parents and schoolmasters and servants) in creating and breeding an emulation{} between brothers during childhood, which many times sorteth^{②} to discord^{} when they are men, and disturbeth families. The Italians make little difference between children and nephews or near kinsfolks^{};: but so they be of the lump, they care not though they pass not through their own body. And, to say truth, in nature it is much a like matter: insomuch^{} that we see a nephew sometimes resembleth an uncle or a kinsman more than his own parent; as the blood happens. Let parents choose betimes the vocations and courses they mean their children should take: for then they are most flexible; and let them not too much apply themselves to the disposition^{} of their children, as thinking they will take best to that which they have most mind to. It is true, that if the affection or aptness of the children be extraordinary, then it is good not to cross it; but generally the precept^{} is good, optimum elige, suave et facile illud faciet consuetudo [choose the best- custom will make it pleasant and easyl. Younger brothers are commonly fortunate, but seldom or never where the elder are disinherited{}. .014· 培随笔集 受尊重,最幼的受过度的纵容;但是居中的几个则 好像被人忘却了似的,而他们却往往成为最好的子 ① made wantons = spoiled 宠坏,潮爱 副。父母在对儿子应给的银钱上各啬,是一种有害 ② illiberality /i.lbo'raeliti/ 吝啬,小气 的错误;这使得他们卑贱;使他们学会取巧;使他 们与下流人为伍:使他们到了富饶的时候容易贪欲 ③ allowance /o'lauons/ n. 津 贴 无度。因此为父母者若对他们的子副在管理上严 ④ acquaint /a'kweint/ v. 使 .....熟知 密,而在钱包上宽松,则其结果是最好的。人们 sort=associate 交往,结 (父母、师父、仆役皆然)有一种不智的习惯,就 交 surfeit /so:fit/放任过度 是当弟兄们在童年的时候,在他们之间养成一种竞 争。其结果往往在他们成人的时候,弟兄不和,并 且扰乱家庭。意大利人在自已的子女及侄甥或近亲 emulation /emju'leifan n.效法 之间无所分别;只要他们是本族,即令非已身所 ⑧ sorteth -turns out 结果 discord /diska:d/ n. 不谋 出,亦不介意。说真的,在自然界亦大类此;我们 和 看见有时侄子像伯父或叔父或某位近亲而不甚像自 kinsfolk /kinzfouk/ n. 亲 己的父亲,这是血气使然。由此可见以上所言之不 属 谬也。为父母者当及时选择在他们意中他们的子赢 insomuch /.insau'mAtf 所当从事的职业及训练:因为在那个时候他们最易 显由于,就此程度而言 训导;同时为父母者亦不可过于注意子嗣的倾向 以为他们心中所最好的他们会最为乐就。如果子嗣 的所好和能力是超群的,那么最好不要拂逆他,这 disposition /dispa'zifan 是真的;但是一般而言,下面这句话是很好的:就 n.性情 是“选择最好的(职业或训练),习惯会使它成为 合适而且容易的。”兄弟中为幼弟者多半结局良好 ③ precept /pri:sept/n. 教训 但假如长兄辈被剥夺或削除继承权,则鲜有或永无 如是者矣。 disinherit /'disin'herit/ . 剥夺.....继承权 ·015·