美国语文第六册 第264期:英国人的性格(1)
第七十八课 英国人的性格
On the whole, what I have seen raises my preconceived estimate of the English character. It is full of generous, true, and manly qualities.
总的来说，我对英国人性格的预想评价源于我观察到的慷慨、忠诚和刚毅。
And I doubt if there ever was so high a standard of morality in an aristocracy which has such means for self-indulgence at its command,
我怀疑的是，一个贵族身上是否始终具备如此之高的道德标准，而这个贵族却任意发号施令，
and which occupies a position that secures it so much deference.
身居能确保别人对他非常遵从的高位。
In general, they do not seem to abuse their great advantages. The respect for religion at least for the forms of its universal,
大体上而言，他们似乎没有滥用其本身具有的巨大优越性。对宗教的尊重——至少对宗教的各种形式——是普遍现象，
and there are few, I imagine, of the great proprietors who are not more or less occupied with improving their estates,
我以为很少有掌握惊人财产的业主在波澜壮阔的政治活动中扮演突出角色的同时，
and with providing for the comfort of their tenantry, while many take a leading part in the great political movements of the time.
对你自己的不动产不理不问，不为自己的佃农提供生活保障。
There never was an aristocracy which combined so much practical knowledge and industry with the advantages of exalted rank.
绝对没有这样的贵族，能将如此之多的实用知识与崇高的事业结合起来。
The Englishman is seen to most advantage in his country home. For he is constitutionally both domestic and rural in his habits.
我们发现英国人在他自己国家里最有优越性。因为从本质上讲，无论在家里还是在乡村他的习惯都能得以保持不变。
His fireside and his farm—these are the places in which one sees his simple and warm-hearted nature more freely unfolded.
他的炉边和他的农场——在这些地方人们都能发现他单纯和热心的本性更自由、随意地显露出来。
