培根散文隨筆美文：Of Nobility 論貴族

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，何樂不爲?

　　14 Of Nobility 論貴族

We will speak of nobility, first as a portion of an estate; then as a condition of particular persons. A monarchy, where there is no nobility at all, is ever a pure and absolute tyranny; as that of the Turks. For nobility attempers sovereignty, and draws the eyes of me people somewhat aside from the line royal. But for democracies, they need it not; and they are commonly more quiet, and less subject to sedition, then where there are stirps of nobles. For men's eyes are upon the business, and not upon the persons: or if upon the persons, it is for the business' sake, as fittest, and not for flags and pedigree.

關於貴族，我們將先以之爲國家中的一個階級，再以之爲個人底一種品質而論之。一個完全沒有貴族的君主國總是一個純粹而極端的專制國;如土耳其是也。因爲貴族是調劑君權的，貴族把人民底眼光引開，使其多少離開皇室。但是說到民主國家，它們是不需要貴族的;並且它們比較有貴族巨室的國家，通常是較爲平靜，不易有叛亂的。因爲在民主國中，人們底眼光是在事業上而不在個人上的;或者，即令眼光是在個人身上，也是爲了事業的原故，要問某人之適當與否，而不是爲了標幟與血統的。

We see the Switzers last well, notwithstanding their diversity of religion, and of cantons. For utility is their bond, and not respects. The united provinces of the Low Countries, in their government, excel: for where there is an equality, the consultations are more indifferent, and the payments and tributes more cheerful. A great and potent nobility addeth majesty to a monarch, but diminisheth power, and putteth life and spirit into the people, but presseth their fortune. It is well, when nobles are not too great for sovereignty, nor for justice; and yet maintained in that height, as the insolence of inferiors may be broken upon them, before it come on too fast upon the majesty of kings.

我們看得到瑞士人底國家很能持久，雖然他們國中有很多宗教派別，而且行政區也不一致：這就因爲維繫他們的是實利而不是對在位者個人的崇仰也。荷蘭合衆國政治很優良;因爲在有平權的地方，政治上的集議是比較重事而不重人的，並且人民對於納稅輸款也是較爲樂意的，一個巨大有力的貴族階級增加君王底威嚴，可是減少了他底權力;使人民更有生氣，更爲活潑，可是壓抑了他們底福利。最好，貴族不要高出君權或國法之上，同時卻要被保持在一種高位上，使下民想犯上的時候，那種桀鶩之氣，必得在過速地達到人君底威嚴以前，先與貴族衝撞，如水擊石而分散其勢力然。

A numerous nobility causeth poverty and inconvenience in a state: for it is a surcharge of expense; and besides, it being of necessity, that many of the nobility fall in time to be weak in fortune, it maketh a kind of disproportion, between honour and means.

貴族人數衆多則國貧而多艱;因爲這是一種過度的消費;並且，貴族中人有許多在經過相當時間後必然變爲貧乏，結果在尊榮與財富之間將造成一種不相侔的情形。

As for nobility in particular persons; it is a reverend thing, to see an ancient castle or building not in decay; or to see a fair timber tree, sound and perfect: how much more, to behold anancient noble family, which hath stood against me waves and weathers of time.

至於個人之身爲貴族者——我們看見一座古壘或建築物依然完好，或者一棵好樹堅實而完美的時候，總覺得那是一種令人生敬的景象。如斯，要是見到一個曾經度過時間底風浪的古老貴族之家，其可敬之甚較上述者又當多出若干。

For new nobility is but the act of power, but ancient nobility is the act of time. Those that are first raised to nobility are commonly more virtuous, but less

innocent, than their descendants: for there is rarely any rising, but by a co-mixture, of good and evil arts. But it is reason the memory of their virtues remain to their posterity; and their faults die with themselves.

因爲新的貴族不過是權力所致，而老的貴族則是時間所致也。頭一個升到貴族階級的那些人多是比他們底後人富於才力而不如其純潔的;因爲很少有能夠騰達而在手段中不是善惡交混的。但是這些人留給後代的記憶中只有長處，而他們底短處，則與身俱滅，這也是合理的。

Nobility of birth commonly abateth industry: and he that is not industrious envieth him that is. Besides, noble persons cannot go much higher, and he that standeth at a stay, when others rise, can hardly avoid motions of envy. On the other side, nobility extinguished! the passive envy, from others towards them;

because they are in possession of honour. Certainly kings, that have able men of their nobility, shall find ease in employing them; and a better slide into their business: for people naturally bend to them, as born in some sort to command.

生爲貴族則多半輕視勞作;而自己不勤勞的人是要嫉妒勤勞的人的。再者，貴族中人不能再升到多高的地位去了;而那自己停留在某種地位而目睹他人上升的人是難免嫉妒之念的。在另一方面，貴族身分能消滅別人對他們的那種消極的嫉妒;因爲貴族中人好象生來就應享某種榮華富貴似的。無疑地，爲人君者，在他們底貴族中若有人材而能用之，則他們將得到安適，並且國事底進行也要得到順利;因爲人民會自自然然地服從他們，以爲他們是生來就有權發號施令的。