晨读英语美文100篇 Passage 63. The Definition of a Gentleman
 音频下载[点击右键另存为][00:00.53]Passage 63. The Definition of a Gentleman [00:06.23]Hence it is, that it is almost a definition of a gentleman, [00:13.44]to say he is one who never inflicts pain. [00:16.84]This description is both refined and, as far as it goes, accurate. [00:22.86]He is mainly occupied in merely removing the obstacles [00:26.90]which hinder the free and unembarrassed action of those about him; [00:30.84]and he concurs with their movements rather than takes the initiative himself. [00:36.64]His benefits may be considered as parallel to what are called comforts or conveniences [00:43.53]in arrangements of a personal nature: [00:46.15]like an easy chair or a good fire, which do their part in dispelling cold and fatigue, [00:52.94]though nature provides both means of rest and animal heat without them. [00:57.54]He is never mean or little in his disputes, never takes unfair advantage, [01:05.08]never mistakes personalities or sharp sayings for arguments or insinuates evil [01:11.76]which he dare not say out. [01:13.95]From a long-sighted prudence, he observes the maxim of the ancient sage, [01:20.29]that we should ever conduct ourselves towards our enemy as if he were one day to be our friend. [01:27.51]He has too much good sense to be affronted at insults, [01:32.44]he is too well employed to remember injuries, and too engaged to bear malice. [01:37.80]He is patient,tolerant, and resigned, on philosophical principles; [01:44.25]he submits to pain,because it is inevitable,to the death of family members, [01:49.95]because it is irreparable,and to death, because it is his destiny. [01:55.85]If he engages in controversy of any kind, [02:00.12]his disciplined intellect preserves him from the blundering discourtesy of better, [02:05.48]though less educated minds; [02:08.33]who, like blunt weapons,tear and hack instead of cutting clean, [02:13.14]who mistake the point in argument,waste their strength on trifles, [02:19.15]misconceive their adversary, [02:21.34]and leave the question more involved than they find it. [02:25.40]He may be right or wrong in his opinion, but he is too clear-headed to be unjust; [02:33.49]he is as simple as he is forcible, and as brief as he is decisive. [02:39.62]Nowhere shall we find greater candor, consideration, indulgence: [02:45.52]he throws himself into the minds of his opponents, [02:49.02]he accounts for their mistakes. [02:51.10]He knows the weakness of human reason as well as its strength, [02:55.59]its province and its limits. |
