A real friend must not be expected from the common ties of vulgar interest; but must be, in the circle to which he belongs, as a brother of adoption4. So simple should be our confidence in the entireness of his affection, and the disinterestedness6 and wisdom of his advice, as to incline us to consult him without afflicting7 our wife or children by a useless communication of our perplexities. To him we should be able to confide5 our fears; and while we struggle, by his advice and aid to escape the pressing evil which menaces to overwhelm us, our family may still repose8 in tranquil9 security.[35]
If he suffer in turn, we share his pains. If he have pleasures, we reciprocally enjoy them. If either party[125] experience reverses, instead of finding himself alone in misery10, he receives consolations11 so touching12 and tender, that he ceases to complain of a lot which has enabled him to become acquainted with the depth of the resources of friendship.
How pure is the sentiment, how simple the pleasures, which flow from the intercourse14 of two men united by similar opinions and like desires, who have both cultivated letters, the arts, and true wisdom! With what rapidity the moments of these charming conversations fly! Even the hours consecrated15 to study are less pleasant, perhaps less instructive. Such a friend, so to speak, is of a different nature from that of the rest of men. They either conceal16 our defects, or cause us to see them from motives17 of ill feeling. A friend so discusses them, in our presence, as not to wound us. He kindly18 reproaches us with faults, to our face, which he extenuates19, or excuses before others in our absence. We can never fully20 comprehend to what extent a friend may be useful and dear until after having been a long time the faithful companion of his good and evil fortune. What emotions we experience in giving ourselves up to the remembrance of the common perils21, storms and trials we have experienced together! It is never without tenderness of heart that we say, ‘we have had the same thoughts, affections and hopes. Such an event penetrated22 us with common joy; such another filled us with grief. Uniting our efforts, we rescued a victim of poverty and misfortune. We mutually shared his tears of gratitude24. The hard necessity of circumstances separated us; and our paths so diverged25 that seas and mountains divided us. But we still remained[126] present to each other, in communion of thought. He had fears for me, and I for him, as we foresaw each other’s dangers. I learned his condition, interpreted his thoughts and feelings, and said, ‘such a fear agitates26 him; he forms such a project, conceives such a hope.’ Finally, we met again. What charms, what effusion of heart in the union!’
It is a puerile28 absurdity29 to be proud of the reputation of one to whom we are united by the ties of blood—a distinction which nature gave us. But we may be justly proud of the rare qualities of our friend. The ties of this relation are not the work of nature or contingency30. We prove that, in meriting his esteem31, we, at least, resemble him in the qualities of his heart.
I immediately form a high opinion of the man whom I hear earnest in the applause of the talents or virtues32 of his friend. He possesses the qualities which he applauds; since he has need to affirm their existence in the person he loves.
This noble and pure sentiment has had its peaceable heroes. What names, what examples could I not cite, in ancient and in modern times! What splendid and affecting proofs of identity of fortune, joys and sorrows, and even danger and death! I knew two friends, of whom every one spoke33 with respect. One of them was asked the extent of his fortune? ‘Mine is small,’ he replied, ‘but my friend is rich.’ The other, a few days before he died of a contagious34 disease, asked, ‘why so many persons were allowed to enter his chamber35? No one,’ he added, ‘ought to be admitted but my friend.’ Thus were they one in fortune, in life and in death.[36]
I deem, that even moralists have sought to render this peaceable sentiment, this gentle affection, and the[127] only one exempt36 from storms, too exclusive. I am aware, how much our affections become enfeebled, in proportion as their objects multiply. There is force in the quaint13 expression of an old author. ‘Love is like a large stream which bears heavy laden37 boats. Divide it into many channels, and they run aground.’ Still, we may give the honored name of friend to several, without profaning38 it, if there exist between us mutual23 sympathy, high esteem and tender interest; if our pleasures and pains are, in some sense, common stock, and we are reciprocally capable of a sincere devotion to each other’s welfare. As much, however, as I revere39 the real sentiment, I am disgusted by the sickly or exaggerated affectation of it.
The sentiment is still more delightful40 when inspired by a woman. I shall be asked, if it can exist in its purity between persons of the different sexes? I answer in the affirmative, when the impulses of youth no longer agitate27 the heart. We then experience the whole charm of the sentiment, as the difference of sex, which is never entirely41 forgotten, imparts to it a vague and touching tenderness and an ideal delight for which language is too poor to furnish terms.
Why can love and friendship, the sunshine of existence, decay in the heart? Why are they not eternal? But since it is not so, if we are cruelly deceived in our affections, the surest means of medicating our pain is, instead of cherishing misanthropic42 distrust, to look round and form the same generous ties anew. Has your friend abandoned you? or, worse, has your wife become unworthy of your love? It is better to be deceived a thousand times than to add, to the grief of wounded affection, the[128] insupportable burden of general distrust, misanthropy and hatred43. Let these baneful44 feelings never usurp45 the place of those sentiments which must constitute human happiness. Pardon to those by whom you have been loved, the sorrows which their abandonment has caused you, in consideration of those days of the past which was embellished46 by their friendship.
But these treasons and perfidies47 are only frequent in the intercourse of those who are driven about by the whirlwinds of life; in which so many opposing interests, so many deceitful pleasures confuse and separate men. The simple minded and good, whose days flow pleasantly in retreat, every day value more the price of those ties that unite them. Their happiness is veiled and guarantied by a guardian48 obscurity.
I give place to none of the illusions of inexperience in regard to men.[37] The errors, contradictions and vices49 with which they are charged, exist. I admit that the greater part of satires50 are faithful paintings. But there are still to be found, everywhere, persons whose manners are frank, whose heart is good, and whose temper amiable. These persons exist in sufficient numbers to compose this new world of which I have spoken. Writers are disposed to declaim against men. I have never ceased to feel good will towards my kind. I have chosen only to withdraw from the multitude, in order to select my position in the centre of a small society. For me there are no longer stupid or wicked people on the earth.
I have examined the essential things of life, tranquillity51 and independence of mind, health, competence52 and the affection of some of our kind. I wish now to give my[129] observations something more of detail and diversity. But I wish it still to be borne in mind, that I give only the materials and outlines of an essay, and make no pretensions53 to fill out a complete treatise54. I wish that a temple may be raised to happiness. Hands, more skilful55 than mine, will rear it. It is sufficient to my purpose to indicate those delightful sites, in the midst of which it may be erected56.
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
amiable
|
|
| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
capabilities
|
|
| n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
infraction
|
|
| n.违反；违法 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
adoption
|
|
| n.采用，采纳，通过；收养 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
confide
|
|
| v.向某人吐露秘密 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
disinterestedness
|
|
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
afflicting
|
|
| 痛苦的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
8
repose
|
|
| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
tranquil
|
|
| adj. 安静的, 宁静的, 稳定的, 不变的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
misery
|
|
| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
consolations
|
|
| n.安慰，慰问( consolation的名词复数 )；起安慰作用的人（或事物） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
touching
|
|
| adj.动人的，使人感伤的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
quaint
|
|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
intercourse
|
|
| n.性交；交流，交往，交际 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
consecrated
|
|
| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
conceal
|
|
| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
motives
|
|
| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
kindly
|
|
| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
extenuates
|
|
| v.（用偏袒的辩解或借口）减轻( extenuate的第三人称单数 )；低估，藐视 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
20
fully
|
|
| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
perils
|
|
| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
penetrated
|
|
| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
mutual
|
|
| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
gratitude
|
|
| adj.感激，感谢 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
diverged
|
|
| 分开( diverge的过去式和过去分词 )； 偏离； 分歧； 分道扬镳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
agitates
|
|
| 搅动( agitate的第三人称单数 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
agitate
|
|
| vi.(for,against)煽动，鼓动；vt.搅动 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
puerile
|
|
| adj.幼稚的，儿童的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
absurdity
|
|
| n.荒谬，愚蠢；谬论 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
contingency
|
|
| n.意外事件，可能性 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
esteem
|
|
| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
virtues
|
|
| 美德( virtue的名词复数 )； 德行； 优点； 长处 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
spoke
|
|
| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
contagious
|
|
| adj.传染性的，有感染力的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
chamber
|
|
| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
exempt
|
|
| adj.免除的；v.使免除；n.免税者，被免除义务者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
laden
|
|
| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
profaning
|
|
| v.不敬( profane的现在分词 )；亵渎，玷污 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
revere
|
|
| vt.尊崇，崇敬，敬畏 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
delightful
|
|
| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
misanthropic
|
|
| adj.厌恶人类的，憎恶（或蔑视）世人的；愤世嫉俗 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
hatred
|
|
| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
baneful
|
|
| adj.有害的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
usurp
|
|
| vt.篡夺，霸占；vi.篡位 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
embellished
|
|
| v.美化( embellish的过去式和过去分词 )；装饰；修饰；润色 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
perfidies
|
|
| n.背信弃义，背叛，出卖( perfidy的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
48
guardian
|
|
| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
vices
|
|
| 缺陷( vice的名词复数 )； 恶习； 不道德行为； 台钳 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
satires
|
|
| 讽刺，讥讽( satire的名词复数 )； 讽刺作品 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
tranquillity
|
|
| n. 平静, 安静 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
competence
|
|
| n.能力，胜任，称职 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
pretensions
|
|
| 自称( pretension的名词复数 )； 自命不凡； 要求； 权力 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
treatise
|
|
| n.专著；(专题)论文 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
skilful
|
|
| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
ERECTED
|
|
| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |