第32章：Of Discourse 论辞令（中英对照）

培根散文随笔集中英对照，通过阅读文学名著学语言，是掌握英语的绝佳方法。既可接触原汁原味的英语，又能享受文学之美，一举两得，何乐不为？
32 of discourse 论辞令
some in their discourse, desire rather commendation of wit, in being able to hold
all arguments, than of judgment, in discerning what is true: as if it were a praise,
to know what might be said, and not what should be thought some have certain common places, and themes, wherein they are good, and want variety: which kind of poverty is for the most part tedious, and when it is once perceived ridiculous. 有些人在他们底谈论中喜欢以反复善辩见称为有才，却不甚注意以能辨真伪而见称为有识；好象知道应当说什么而不知道应当如何思想是一件可称赞的事情似的。有些人善于谈论某种平常习见的题目，可是缺乏变化；这种贫乏大半令人生厌，而一旦被人发见，则是可笑的。

the honourablest part of talk is to give the occasion; and again to moderate and pass to somewhat else; for then a man leads the dance. it is good in discourse and speech of conversation, to vary, and intermingle speech of the present occasion with arguments; tales with reasons; asking of questions, with telling of opinions; and jest with earnest: for it is a dull thing to tire, and, as we say now, to jade, anything too far.
辞令中最可贵者是引起他人底话头的话；以及能节制自己底言语并转移到别的题目上去的那种话；如果能这样，那末这说话的人就可算是舞蹈底领袖了。在言谈之中，最好是有所变化。在当前的所谈之中参以辩驳，在叙事中夹以议论，发问中杂以发抒己见，诙谐中和以庄语，因为一个人若是总在谈论一个题目，如今语所谓“鞭策过度”，则将使人厌倦也。
as for jest, there be certain things, which ought to be privileged from it; namely religion, matters of state, great persons, any man's present business of
importance, and any case mat deserveth pity. yet there be some, that think their wits have been asleep, except they dart out somewhat that is piquant, and to the quick: that is a vein which would be bridled; parce,puer, stimulis, et fortius utere ions. 至于诙谐的话，则有几种题目，应当避免，不可涉及者，如宗教、国事、要人，任何人目前的要务，以及任何值得怜悯的事情皆是也。然而有些人却一定要锋锐辛辣，伤人之心，以为不如此则他们底机智是迟钝了；这是一种应当制止的脾气：童子，少使刺棒，多拉缰绳，即此之谓也。

and generally, men ought to find the difference, between saltness and bitterness.
certainly, he that hath a satyrical vein, as he maketh others afraid of his wit, so
he had need be afraid of others' memory. he that questioned! much, shall learn much, and content much; but especially, if he apply his questions to the skill of the persons whom he asketh: for he shall give them occasion, to please themselves in speaking, and himself shall continually gather knowledge. but let his questions not be troublesome; for that is fit for a poser. and let him be sure, to leave other men
their turns to speak. nay, if there be any, that would reign, and take up all the
time, let him find means to take them off, and to bring others on; as musicians use
to do, with those that dance too long galliards. if you dissemble sometimes your
knowledge, of that you are thought to know; you shall be thought another time, to
know that, you know not. speech of a man's self ought to be seldom, and well chosen.
一般言之，人们应当辨别出来咸与苦之间的不同。那喜欢讽刺，使别人怕他底语锋的人，将不能不因此而怕那人底记忆，这是一定的。多问的人将多闻，而且多得人底欢心，尤其是如果他能使他底问题适合于被问者底长技的时候为然；因为这样他就可以使他们乐于说话，而他自己则可以继续地得到知识也。但是他底问题却不可烦琐惹厌；因为那就成了审问者的问题了。一个人还应当注意，务使他人有说话底机会。不但如此，如果有人要霸占一切说话底时间，就应当设法把这种人移开而使别的人开言，就好象乐师们看见有人跳“欢乐舞”跳得过久的时候的所为一样。假如别人认为你知道的事情而你假作不知的话，则以后你所真不知道的事情，人家也要以为你是知道的。关于自己的话应该少说，而且应当谨慎择言。

i knew one, was wont to say, in scorn; he must needs be a wise man, he speaks so much of himself: and there is but one case, wherein a man may commend himself, with good grace; and that is in commending virtue in another; especially, if it be such a virtue, whereunto himself pretendeth. speech of touch towards others should be sparingly used: for discourse ought to be as a field, without coming home to any man. i knew two noblemen, of the west part of england; whereof
the one was given to scoff, but kept ever royal cheer in his house: the other would
ask of those, that had been at the other's table; tell truly, was there never a flout
or dry blow given; to which the guest would answer.
我认得一个人，当他说及他所看不起的某人的时候，常说“他一定是个智者，因为他关于自己有那么多的话说”。一个人称扬自己而不显丑态的唯一的时候，就在他称扬别人底长处的时候，尤其是在所说的长处是与他自己可说是有的那种长处一类的时候。伤及他人的话应当少说，因为谈论应当象一片广田，人可以在里面东西行走；而不应当象一条大道，直达某家底门口也。我知道有两位贵族，都是英国西部的人；其中的一位喜欢菲薄他人，但是在家中宴客的时候却总是肴馔极丰的；另外的一位常常问那些曾经与宴的人，“老实告诉我，在他底席上没人受他底嘲弄或玩笑么”？对这个问题那作过客的人就答道：“有某事某事在席上发生了”。

such and such a thing passed: the lord would say; i thought he would mar a good dinner. discretion of speech is more than eloquence; and to speak agreeably to him, with whom we deal. is more than to speak in good words, or in good order. a good continued speech, without a good speech of interlocution, shows slowness: and a good reply, or second speech, without a good settled speech, showeth shallowness and weakness. as we see in beasts, that those that are weakest in the course, are yet nimblest in the turn: as it is betwixt the greyhound and the hare. to use too many circumstances, ere one come to the matter, is wearisome; to use none at all, is blunt
于是这位贵族就说：“我早就料到他一定会把一桌好筵席弄坏的”。慎言胜于雄辩，用适当的话向我们与之交涉的人谈话是比我们言辞优美，条理井然还要紧的。一个人若会说一篇滔滔不绝的言辞，而不善于问答，则显得他底说话迟滞；若善于应答而不能作持久而有始终的言辞，则显得其人底言语之浅薄无力。这就如我们在动物界所见的一样，最不善走者却最敏于转身，如猎犬与野兔间之分别是也。在说到正题以前叙述许许多多的枝节话是可厌的；若全然不顾枝节，则又太率直了。