英语名篇诵读菁华 1-01 A Gentleman 绅士
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.
绅士是个从来都不会给人带来痛苦的人，这几乎成了绅士的定义。这一描述不仅精炼，而且现在看来也依然是准确的。他的主要职责就是消除那些阻碍周围的人自如行动的障碍。而且他与其他人行动一致，而不是采取主动。
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.
他的益处相当于个人生活中给人们带来舒适或便利的事物，就像安乐椅或温暖的火，能够驱除寒冷和疲劳，尽管没有它们，大自然也能提供休息的场所，人也可以靠体温来保持温暖。
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.
同样，真正的绅士会小心避免给接触到的人造成思想上的混乱或震动。他会小心避免给接触到的人造成思想上的混乱或震动。他会小心避免一切意见上的冲突，情感上的冲撞，避免一切拘束、怀疑、忧郁或怨恨；对他来说，让每个人都觉得轻松自在是头等大事。
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.
他关注他周围所有的人，他对害羞的人体贴，对冷淡的人温和，对愚蠢的人宽容，他会注意谈话的对象，他会提防不恰当的影射，或是一些可能令人不安的话题。他很少在谈话中突出自己。但也不令人感到乏味。在给别人帮助时，他会轻描淡写，让人感觉他似乎是在接受帮助而不是给予帮助。
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.
他从不谈论自己，除非情势所迫，他从不为自己辩护，就连一句反驳也不说，他从不听信闲言碎语，当有人妨碍自己时，他会极为审慎地推测他们这么做的动机；他会尽量把事情往好处想。
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.
争论时他从不采取卑劣的手段，从不利用别人的弱点，从不把他人的个性或尖锐的言辞当作吵架的由头，也不会含沙射影地说一些他不敢直接说出来的令人不舒服的话。基于有先见之明的深谋远虑，他尊奉先贤的格言，那就是我们对待敌人的态度要好像他将来某一天会成为我们的朋友一样。
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.
他极为明智，能避免遭到侮辱，他非常忙碌，以至于记不住别人对他的伤害，他又十分懒散，不会去怨恨别人。从哲学原则上讲，他是耐心的，宽容的，顺从的。他承受痛苦，因为这是不可避免的。他忍受丧亲之痛，因为这是无法挽回的，它直面死亡，因为这是他最终的命运。如果他陷入任何争议之中，他训练有素的智力会使他免于做错事情。
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