The English seem as silent as the Japanese, yet vainer than the inhabitants of Siam. Upon my arrival I attributed that reserve to modesty, which I now find has its origin in pride. Condescend to address them first, and you are sure of their acquaintance; stoop to flattery, and you conciliate their friendship and esteem. They bear hunger, cold, fatigue, and all the miseries of life without shrinking; danger only calls forth their fortitude; they even exult in calamity; but contempt is what they cannot bear. An Englishman fears contempt more than death; he often flies to death as a refuge from its pressure; and dies when he fancies the world has ceased to esteem him.
Excerpt From The Citizen of the World
By Oliver Goldsmith
［参考译文］
英国人的性格
奥利弗·哥尔德斯密斯
英国人似乎与日本人一样沉默寡言，然而比泰国人更加狂妄自负。初来乍到之时，我把这种矜持归结为谦虚，现在我发现其源于骄傲。要是你屈尊与他们先打招呼，你肯定会与他们相识。要是你对他们阿谀奉承，你就会博得他们的友谊与尊重。他们忍受饥饿、寒冷、劳累，面对人生的所有苦难从不退缩；苦难只会让他们更加坚忍；即使身处逆境，他们仍然能欣然面对；但决不能忍受遭鄙视。英国人害怕遭鄙视甚于死亡；他常常因承受不了遭人鄙视的重压而奔向死神以求解脱，而当他觉得世人不再尊重他时就会断然离世。
［注释］
-vain [veɪn] adj. 自负的，自视过高的 too proud of your own appearance, abilities or achievements
-fortitude [ˈfɔːtɪtjuːd] n. 坚韧，刚毅 strength of mind that allows one to endure pain or adversity with courage
-exult [ɪɡˈzʌlt] v. 狂喜，喜气洋洋或得意洋洋 to rejoice greatly; be jubilant or triumphant
-tyrant [ˈtaɪərənt] n. 暴君 a ruler who exercises power in a harsh, cruel manner
-contempt [kənˈtempt] n. 轻蔑，鄙视 disgrace, scorn
［作者简介］
奥利弗·哥尔德斯密斯（Oliver Goldsmith, 1728-1774），是18世纪著名的英国剧作家。哥尔德史密斯生于爱尔兰，1756年定居伦敦，并开创其写作事业。不论是诗歌、小说、文章还是剧本，他的写作风格均以嬉笑怒骂的形式，借以针砭时弊。主要作品有小说《威克菲尔德的牧师》、长诗《荒村》、喜剧《委曲求全》、散文《世界公民》等。