斯蒂芬森/E.S.Stephenson

What is the true definition of a gentleman? This question is not easy to answer completely; but we will try.

First of all, a gentleman is not necessarily a man of wealth, or one who wears fine clothes. It is no question of outer circumstances or appearance; it is the inner nature that distinguishes the gentleman. There are men in the humblest walks of life who are nature's gentlemen. Without going into complicated analysis, however, we will try to give a general definition. The truest gentleman is the one who in his treatment of others comes nearest to exemplifying the “Golden Rule”. This practically includes all, for upon this rule, all rules of conduct and rules of etiquette, however worldly, are based.

Some common conceptions of a gentleman are these: a gentleman is always considerate for the feelings of others; he has tact, —he knows how to say and to do the right thing at the right time. He is a gentle man, —that is to say, he is quiet and refined in manner and speech; he does not unduly assert himself. True strength is not loud and boisterous; but quiet and subdued. The manner of a gentleman is characterized by that essence of good manners—repose.

A gentleman is never a tyrant or a bully; the rich upstart may treat servants and supposed inferiors with harshness or contempt; not so the gentleman. He is invariably courteous, alike to both high and low. He treats his servants with kindly consideration; he is not unduly familiar with them, and yet not coldly reserved. He shows appreciation of services performed for him, and shows it in a delicate and effective way.

In his speech a gentleman is revealed. The mode of expression, the tone and modulation of the voice, the choice of words, and certain other indefinable things distinguish him. He need not be a purist; he may use slang and use it freely; but he knows what slang to use and when not to use it. He need not be stiff and formal; he may speak and act on occasions with all the careless freedom of a youthful schoolboy; but he knows when to do so, and when not.

In dress and appearance a gentleman gives no offence to others. His clothes are not necessarily fashionable—still less showy; but they are always in good taste, neat, and spotlessly clean. There is a kind of vanity in wearing old and untidy clothes, just as there is in wearing the most showy and fashionable ones. The gentleman avoids all these extremes. He expresses himself in his dress so far as his means allow—and knowing that his appearance gives no grounds for criticism, he can be quite unconscious of it. In fact this unconsciousness is essential to true dignity of manner, and to the inner and outer harmony that characterizes the well-bred man.

In his actions and movements he is deliberate and yet alert, he makes no unnecessary movements when he is doing a thing—no fuss. Gracefulness is the economy of motion; the most graceful way of walking across a room, or handling a tea cup, is the way that is freest from useless and awkward movements.

Every man cannot be rich; but every man, however poor, however humble his position in life, can be, in the truest sense of the word, a gentleman.

何谓“绅士”？这个问题很难全面地回答，不过我们可以来试试。

首先，绅士不一定要有钱，或者衣着华丽。一个人的外表不是关键，重要的是他的内在品质，这是区别绅士与非绅士的根本所在。在社会阶层的最底层中，也会有绅士。避开对此进行过于细致深入的分析，试着下一个概括性的定义。真正的绅士在待人接物方面，几乎是“金科玉律”的典范。这几乎涵盖了一切，所有的行为准则以及礼仪规范，不论多么俗气，都以此为基础。

人们普遍认为：绅士永远会顾及他人的感受；他很机智——懂得如何说适当的话，做适当的事。他是一个绅士——也就是说，他的言谈举止温文尔雅；他不会过分地抬高自己，真正的力量不是张扬与喧嚣，而是平静与柔和。绅士的举止表现出了礼仪的本质——平和。

绅士绝不会是一个暴君或者欺凌弱小者。富有的暴发户也许会严厉地对待仆人，鄙视地位卑微者。绅士则不然，他永远谦卑待人，不分贵贱。他和善地体谅仆人，不与他们过度亲近，也不冷漠疏远，他会用慎重而有效的方法来感谢他受到的服务。

他的言谈会显现一种君子风范。表达的方式、说话的语气、音调的转换、遣词造句以及某种难以言表的东西会让他们与众不同。他未必是一位纯粹主义者；他可能会讲俚语并且运用自如，但他懂得什么时候该用，什么时候不该用。他未必是僵硬的形式主义者；他可能会在某些场合像年轻的学童一般说话和行动，但他知道什么时候应该，什么时候不应该。

在服饰和外貌方面，绅士不会冒犯别人。他的衣着未必时尚——更不用说华丽了；但通常他们的品位很高，干净整齐，没有一丝污点。穿着破旧、肮脏的衣服，是一种虚荣的表现，如同穿着浮华、时尚一般。绅士会避免这些极端。他的衣着表现，会在其财产控制范围之内——他的外表无懈可击，他可以毫不在意。事实上，这种不在意的态度，正是高雅的本质，也是有教养的人表现出来的内外协调一致的特征。

绅士举止从容而灵活。他在做某事的时候，不会做些不必要的小动作——他不慌不忙。简化的动作是一种优美；优美地走过一间房或者高雅地端起一杯茶，就是要避免那些拙而不雅的动作。

说一句最真诚的话——世人并非每个人都可以成为富翁，但是每一个人，不论经济状况多么的贫困，社会地位多么卑微，都能成为一个绅士。

词汇笔记

definition [?difi?ni??n] n. 定义；清晰度；解说

例 Size is not a definition of national standards.

面积大小不是定义一个国家的标准。

distinguish [dis?ti?ɡwi?] v. 辨别；区分；使杰出；使表现突出

例 Speech distinguishes man from animals.

语言使人区别于动物。

complicated [?k?mplikeitid] adj. 难懂的；复杂的

例 Who are we in this complicated world?

在这个复杂的世界，我们又是谁？

indefinable [?indi?fain?bl] adj. 难下定义的；难确定的；模糊不清的

例 There's an indefinable air of tension at the meeting.

这城镇里有种难以描述的紧张气氛。

小试身手

人们普遍认为：绅士永远会顾及他人的感受；他很机智——懂得如何说适当的话，做适当的事。

译_______________

他在做某事的时候，不会做些不必要的小动作——他不慌不忙。

译_______________

并非每个人都可以成为富翁，但是每一个人，不论经济状况多么的贫困，社会地位多么卑微，都能成为一个绅士。

译_______________

短语家族

First of all, a gentleman is not necessarily a man of wealth……

first of all：首先；第一；开始时

造_______________

In dress and appearance a gentleman gives no offence to others.

give to：送给；赠给；提供

造_______________