7.Of Great Place论高位-双语名著无障碍阅读丛书——《培根随笔集The Essays of Bacon》

7.Of Great Place MEN in great place are thrice servants:servants of the sovereign or state;servants of fame;and servants of business.So as they have no freedom;neither in their persons,nor in their actions,nor in their times.It is a strange desire,to seek power and to lose liberty:or to seek power over others and to lose power over a man's self.The rising unto place is laborious③；and by pains④men come to greater pains; and it is sometimes base;and by indignities5 men come to dignities. The standing is slippery⑦，and the regress®is either a downfall⑨，or at least an eclipse which is a melancholy thing.Cum non sis qui fueris,non esse cur velis vivere.[When a man feels that he is no longer what he was,he has no reason to live longer].Nay,retire men cannot when they would,neither will they when it were reason;but are impatient of privateness,even in age and sickness,which require the shadow;like old townsmen,that will be still sitting at their street door,though thereby they offer age to scorn.Certainly great persons had need to borrow other men's opinions,to think themselves happy; ·040· 7.论高位 ①hice0rais/ad三倍地 居高位者是三重仆役：君主或国家的仆役；名 ②sovereign'sovrin/n.元 首 声的仆役；事业的仆役。所以他们是没有自由的， 既没有个人的自由，也没有行动的自由，也没有时 间的自由。宁要权力而不要自由，或寻求凌驾他人 的权力而失掉统治自己的权力，这种欲望是一种奇 怪的欲望。要升到高位，其过程是很艰难的，但是 laborious /a'botrias/a. 限苦的 人们却要吃许多苦以迎来更大的痛苦；要升到高 ④pains此处意为艰辛 ⑤indignity /in'digniti/n.侮 位，其过程有时是卑污的；然而人们却借着卑污的 辱 手段达到尊严的地位。在高位上居留是很不稳的， ⑥standing立足之处 ⑦slippery'slipari/a滑的 其退步或是覆亡，或者至少是声名暗晦，那是一件 ⑧regress"ri:gres/n.逆行 ⑨downfall /'daunf:/n.衰 很可悲的事。“当你到了今日之我非复昔日之我的 败 时候，就没有继续活下去的理由了。”真的，人们 eclipse /klips/n.衰落 impatient of privateness 在愿意退休的时候不能退，在应该退休的时候不肯 不愿独处 退。反之，人们都不耐退休的生活，甚至于在老病 B shadow指隐蔽处 3 townsman /'taunzman/n. 之中，需要隐居的时候亦复如此；就好像有些城里 镇民 st此处作always解 的老头儿一样，总要坐在街门口，虽然这种办法使 人家看不起老年。无疑地，居高位的人们得要借他 ·041· The Essays of Bacon for if they judge by their own feeling,they cannot find it;but if they think with themselves what other men think of them,and that other men would fain be as they are,then they are happy as it were by report;when perhaps they find the contrary within.For they are the first that find their own griefs,though they be the last that find their own faults.Certainly men in great fortunes are strangers to themselves, and while they are in the puzzle of business they have no time to tend their health either of body or mind.Illi mors gravis incubat,qui notus nimis omnibus,ignotus moritur sibi [It is a sad fate for a man to die too well known to everybody else,and still unknown to himself].In place there is license④to do good and evil;whereof the latter is a curse⑤：for in evil the best condition is not to will;the second,not to can.But power to do good is the true and lawful end of aspiring.For good thoughts (though God accept them)yet towards men are little better than good dreams,except they be put in act;and that cannot be without power and place,as the vantage and commanding ground. Merit and good works is the end of man's motion;and conscience of the same is the accomplishment of man's rest.For if a man can be partaker of God's theatre,he shall likewise be partaker of God's rest.Et conversus Deus,ut aspiceret opera quce fecerunt manus suoe, vidit quod omnia essent bona nimis [And God turned to look upon the works which his hands had made,and saw that all were very good]; and then the Sabbath In the discharge of thy place set before thee the best examples;for imitation is a globe of precepts.And after a time set before thee thine own example;and examine thyself strictly whether thou didst not best at first.Neglect not also the examples of ·042· 培根随笔集 人的意见才能以为自己是幸福的，因为若是他们依 着自己的所感来判断，则他们不会发现自己是幸福 would fain be:would be 的。但是假如他们自己想一想别人对他们做何感 glad to be 2as it were so to spcak, 想，并且想到别的人如何愿意做何感想，并且想到 可以说是，或者说 by report=by what others 别的人如何愿意做他们；那么他们就好像是由外面 say,by common tal据传 的谈论而快乐了，同时在内心中也许正是相反。因 闻 为这些人是首先发现他们自己的忧患的人，虽然他 们是最后才看出自己的过失的人。无疑地，居高位 的人们对自我是陌生人，在纷乱的事务中，他们没 有时间来照管自己的身体或精神健康。“如果一个 人在死的时候，别人过于知道他，而自己不知道自 ④license机动之权，（做事 己，那么死亡之降临可真是一桩大祸了。”在高位 的)自由 ⑤curse /ka:s/n.诅咒，咒骂 之中有为善与为恶的自由；而后者乃是一种可诅咒 ⑥not to will无（此）意愿： 的自由：因为谈到作恶最好是不愿意，其次就是不 not to can无（此）能力 能够。但是能有做好事的权力那才是真正的而且合 法的希望之所系。因为好意，虽然上帝接受，然而 对于世人，要是不实行出来，则不过如好梦一般而 ⑦vantage'va:ntid/n优 势 已；而要行好事就非有权有位，有一种居高临下之 ⑧good works善举，慈善行 势不可。功与德乃人类行动之目的，而感觉到自己 为 ⑨conscience= 已经有了这两样才是令人自足的成就。因为，如果 consciousness意识 一个人能够参与上帝的剧场，那么他也可以参加上 accomplishment a'komplifmant/n成就 帝的安息了。“于是上帝转身看他手造的一切，看 ⑩partaker pa:'teika(r),p/n分担 见它们都是很好的。”此后就是安息日了。在执行 者 你的职务的时候，在你面前要有最好的模范；因为 2 God's theatre:what God saw 模仿就等于是一套箴言。以后，过了些时候，可把 3 Sabbath/'saeba0(/安息日 ⑧discharge of thy place在 你自己的模范放在面前，并且严格地自检，是否你 执行你的职务时 从前做得好而现在退步了。也不要忽视从前那些在 globe a complete or perfect tody,a good 同样的位置而不称其职的人的例子；这并非是要用 combination hinc/ain/pron.你的 诋毁前人的名声的方法来显出你自己的好处，而是 ·043· The Essays of Bacon those that have carried themselves ill in the same place;not to set off thyself by taxing their memory,but to direct thyself what to avoid. Reform therefore,without bravery or scandal of former times and persons;but yet set it down to thyself as well to create good precedents as to follow them.Reduce things to the first institution,and observe wherein and how they have degenerate;but yet ask counsel of both times;of the ancient time,what is best;and of the latter time,what is fittest.Seek to make thy course regular,that men may know beforehand what they may expect;but be not too positive and peremptory;and express thyself well when thou digressest from thy rule.Preserve the right of thy place;but stir not questions of jurisdiction;and rather assume thy right in silence and de facto [from the fact],than voice it with claims and challenges.Preserve likewise the rights of inferior places;and think it more honor to direct in chief than to be busy in all. Embrace and invite helps and advices touching the execution of thy place;and do not drive away such as bring thee information,as meddlers;but accept of them in good part.The vices of authority are chiefly four:delays,corruption,roughness,and facility.For delays: give easy access;keep times appointed;go through with that which is in hand,and interlace not business but of necessity.For corruption: do not only bind thine own hands or thy servants'hands from taking, but bind the hands of suitors also from offering.For integrity used doth the one;but integrity professed,and with a manifest detestation of bribery,doth the other.And avoid not only the fault,but the suspicion.Whosoever is found variable,and changeth manifestly without manifest cause,giveth suspicion of corruption.Therefore ·044· 培根随笔集 要指导你自己，当以何者为戒的意思。因此，你 ①axing=censuring责难 应当不带着欺凌毁污前代或前人的意味而改革以 ②avoid/a'void/.避免 ③bravery boastfulness自夸 往的不善，而同时也要给自己立规矩，不但要仿 precedent /pri'si:dant/n. 先例 效，而且还要创立好的先例。你须把事物追究到 最早的起源，并且考察它们因何并且如何变为退 degenerate /di'd3enoreit/ 化的，但是仍要向古今两个时代都去求救；向古 .退化 ⑥counsel /kaunsol/h,忠 时求教要问何者是最好的；向现时求教要问何者 告 是最适当的。你须努力把你的行事之道做得很有 规律，前后一致，如此他人可以知道他们可以预 期什么；但是也不要过于一定或确凿；并且在你 peremptory /pa'remptari/ a专横的 违背那常规的时候要把自己所以如此的缘由解释 留st血/sta/.搅动 ⑨jurisdiction 得清清楚楚。保持你自己的地位应享有的权利， /,d3 uaris'dikfan/n.司法 但是不要引起法律上关于此点的争论：宁可静静 权 地在事实上享有这种权利，而不要用要索和强争 的手段去公开吵闹。同样，保持下属的权利；并 且以居首指挥为荣，而不要以参与一切为荣。在 execution /eksi'kju:fon/ n实行 执行职务上欢迎并邀请帮助和忠告，不要把带消 息给你的人认为是好管闲事者而逐之使去：反之， meddler'medla//n.爱管 要好好地接待他们。权力的过恶主要有四种：拖 闲事的人 facility of easy persuasion 延、贪污、粗暴和易欺。关于拖延，应使人易于 容易被说服，易受骗 得见，守约定之时间，当前之事应即做完，勿以 B access/'aekses/n.通路 interlace /int(:)'leis/v. 不必要之事掺杂其间。关于贪污，不仅要约束自 使交织 ⑤suitors求情者 己的手和仆役的手，毋使纳贿，并当约束有所请 integrity /in'tegriti/n. 求的人们的手，毋使呈献贿赂。因为一个人自己 直 detestation /di.tes'teifan/ 实行的节操是约束自己和仆役的，而宣扬出去的 n僧恶 节操，再加上公开的对贿赂的厌恨，则是约束他 ⑧bribery /braibori/n.贿略 行为 人的。又应避者，不但是纳贿之事实，而且是纳 ⑧suspicion/sas'pibn/n猜 疑 贿之嫌疑。一个人要是被人认为反复无常，或者 无明显缘故而公开地变更了，就要招致贪污之嫌 ·045· The Essays of Bacon always when thou changest thine opinion or course,profess it plainly, and declare it,together with the reasons that move thee to change;and do not think to steal it.A servant or a favorite,if he be inward,and no other apparent cause of esteem,is commonly thought but a by-way to close corruption.For roughness:it is a needless cause of discontent: severity breedeth fear,but roughness breedeth hate.Even reproofs from authority ought to be grave,and not taunting.As for facility:it is worse than bribery.For bribes come but now and then;but if importunity or idle respects lead a man,he shall never be without. As Solomon saith,To respect persons is not good;for such a man will transgress for a piece of bread.It is most true that was anciently spoken,A place showeth the man.And it showeth some to the better, and some to the worse.Omnium consensu capax imperii,nisi imperasset [A man whom every body would have thought fit for empire if he had not been emperor],saith Tacitus of Galba;but of Vespasian he saith,Solus imperantium,Vespasianus mutatus in melius[He was the only emperor whom the possession of power changed for the better];though the one was meant of sufficiency,the other of manners and affection. It is an assured sign of a worthy and generous spirit,whom honor amends.For honor is,or should be,the place of virtue;and as in nature things move violently to their place and calmly in their place,so virtue in ambition is violent,in authority settled and calm.All rising to great place is by a winding stair;and if there be factions,it is good to side a man's self whilst he is in the rising,and to balance himself when he is placed.Use the memory of thy predecessor fairly and tenderly;for if thou dost not,it is a debt will sure be paid when thou art gone.If ·046· 培根随笔集 ①profess /pra'fes/.声称 疑。因此，无论何时，当你变更你的主意或行事 之道的时候，把这件事公开地承认了，并把这件 事和使你变更的理由宣之于众，不要想偷偷摸摸 ②steal=do secretly秘密进 行 地做了。一个仆人或宠幸，假如他仅仅是与你亲 ③close::secret,secretive秘 呢而没有显然的可称之处，就要被人认为是暗行 密的 贪污的一条门路。至于粗暴，那是一种不必要的 ④reproof/ri'pru:f/n.斥责 招怨之道。严厉生畏，但是粗暴生恨，即使在公 ⑤taunt/to:nt/.嘲弄 事上的谴责也应当庄重而不应当侮辱嘲弄。至于 易欺，那是比受贿还坏的。因为贿赂不过是偶尔 ⑥importunity /impo:'tjun3ti/.强求 而来的，但是假如屡请和无理由的顾念可以打动 respects considerations 虑，顾虑 一个人，那么这个人就永不会没有这种情面事了。 ⑧To respect persons崇拜 如所罗门所言：“看情面是不好的：因为这样的 权贵。英语中常说heis no respecter of persons, 人是会为了一块面包而枉法的。”古语说得极是： 意为此人有骨气，不崇拜 权贵 “地位显出为人。”地位显出有些人的长处，也显 ⑨transgress 出有些人的短处。“假如他从来没有做过皇帝， /trans gres,traenz-/vt. 越过 公意也要说他是适于做皇帝的。”这是泰西塔斯说 )empire /'empaia/n.帝国 嘉尔巴的话。关于外斯帕显他却说：“外斯帕显 是唯一因为有了权力而人格增进的皇帝。”虽然前 句话是关于统治能力的，而后一句是关于仪容 dD sufficiency /sa'fifonsi/n. 及感情的。一个人因有权位而人格增进，这是他 充裕 人格高尚而宽宏大量的确证。因为权位是，或者 2 amend/a'mend/".修正 应当是，德能之所在；并且，如在自然界一样， 事物在向它们的位置移动的时候，其动甚烈，而 在它们的位置中动的时候，其动甚缓，所以德能 在努力上达的时候是猛烈的，而在当权的时候是 B faction'fak fan/n.内I 安稳平和的。一切上跻高位的行动都是像登一条 迂曲的楼梯一样；遇有派别存在的时候，一个人 最好是在上升的时候加入某派而在已腾达之时保 守中立。对待前人的遗名当公平而爱护，因为假 ·047· The Essays of Bacon thou have colleagues,respect them,and rather call them when they look not for it,than exclude them when they have reason to look to be called.Be not too sensible or too remembering of thy place in conversation and private answers to suitors;but let it rather be said, When he sits in place he is another man. ·048· 培根随笔集【 如你不这样做，那么这就不啻是一种债务，将来你 去位的时候，人家一定要偿还你的。如果你有同僚 的话，尊重他们，并且宁可在他们并不想望被召见 的时候召见他们，而不要在他们有理由希冀被引见 的时候拒见他们。在谈话和私下答复请求者的时候 不要过于在乎或过于记着你的地位；反之，最好让 人家说“他在执行职务的时候是另一个人。” ·049·