第 3 节
作者:片片      更新:2022-08-21 16:31      字数:9322
  intellectual; but the most virtuous; not the most powerful and
  influential; but the most truthful; upright; and honest。
  It was very characteristic of the late Prince Consorta man
  himself of the purest mind; who powerfully impressed and
  influenced others by the sheer force of his own benevolent nature
  when drawing up the conditions of the annual prize to be given
  by Her Majesty at Wellington College; to determine that it should
  be awarded; not to the cleverest boy; nor to the most bookish boy;
  nor to the most precise; diligent; and prudent boy;but to the
  noblest boy; to the boy who should show the most promise of
  becoming a large…hearted; high…motived man。 (9)
  Character exhibits itself in conduct; guided and inspired by
  principle; integrity; and practical wisdom。  In its highest form;
  it is the individual will acting energetically under the influence
  of religion; morality; and reason。  It chooses its way
  considerately; and pursues it steadfastly; esteeming duty above
  reputation; and the approval of conscience more than the world's
  praise。  While respecting the personality of others; it preserves
  its own individuality and independence; and has the courage to be
  morally honest; though it may be unpopular; trusting tranquilly to
  time and experience for recognition。
  Although the force of example will always exercise great influence
  upon the formation of character; the self…originating and
  sustaining force of one's own spirit must be the mainstay。  This
  alone can hold up the life; and give individual independence and
  energy。  〃Unless man can erect himself above himself;〃 said
  Daniel; a poet of the Elizabethan era; 〃how poor a thing is man!〃
  Without a certain degree of practical efficient forcecompounded
  of will; which is the root; and wisdom; which is the stem of
  characterlife will be indefinite and purposelesslike a body
  of stagnant water; instead of a running stream doing useful work
  and keeping the machinery of a district in motion。
  When the elements of character are brought into action by
  determinate will; and; influenced by high purpose; man enters upon
  and courageously perseveres in the path of duty; at whatever cost
  of worldly interest; he may be said to approach the summit of his
  being。  He then exhibits character in its most intrepid form; and
  embodies the highest idea of manliness。  The acts of such a man
  become repeated in the life and action of others。  His very words
  live and become actions。  Thus every word of Luther's rang through
  Germany like a trumpet。  As Richter said of him; 〃His words were
  half…battles。〃  And thus Luther's life became transfused into the
  life of his country; and still lives in the character of modern
  Germany。
  On the other hand; energy; without integrity and a soul of
  goodness; may only represent the embodied principle of evil。  It
  is observed by Novalis; in his 'Thoughts on Morals;' that the
  ideal of moral perfection has no more dangerous rival to contend
  with than the ideal of the highest strength and the most energetic
  life; the maximum of the barbarianwhich needs only a due
  admixture of pride; ambition; and selfishness; to be a perfect
  ideal of the devil。  Amongst men of such stamp are found the
  greatest scourges and devastators of the worldthose elect
  scoundrels whom Providence; in its inscrutable designs; permits to
  fulfil their mission of destruction upon earth。 (10)
  Very different is the man of energetic character inspired by a
  noble spirit; whose actions are governed by rectitude; and the law
  of whose life is duty。  He is just and upright;in his business
  dealings; in his public action; and in his family lifejustice
  being as essential in the government of a home as of a nation。  He
  will be honest in all thingsin his words and in his work。  He
  will be generous and merciful to his opponents; as well as to
  those who are weaker than himself。  It was truly said of Sheridan
  who; with all his improvidence; was generous; and never gave
  painthat
  〃His wit in the combat; as gentle as bright;
  Never carried a heart…stain away on its blade。〃
  Such also was the character of Fox; who commanded the affection
  and service of others by his uniform heartiness and sympathy。  He
  was a man who could always be most easily touched on the side of
  his honour。  Thus; the story is told of a tradesman calling upon
  him one day for the payment of a promissory note which he
  presented。  Fox was engaged at the time in counting out gold。  The
  tradesman asked to be paid from the money before him。  〃No;〃 said
  Fox; 〃I owe this money to Sheridan; it is a debt of honour; if any
  accident happened to me; he would have nothing to show。〃  〃Then;〃
  said the tradesman; 〃I change MY debt into one of honour;〃 and he
  tore up the note。  Fox was conquered by the act: he thanked the
  man for his confidence; and paid him; saying; 〃Then Sheridan must
  wait; yours is the debt of older standing。〃
  The man of character is conscientious。  He puts his conscience
  into his work; into his words; into his every action。  When
  Cromwell asked the Parliament for soldiers in lieu of the decayed
  serving…men and tapsters who filled the Commonwealth's army; he
  required that they should be men 〃who made some conscience of what
  they did;〃 and such were the men of which his celebrated regiment
  of 〃Ironsides〃 was composed。
  The man of character is also reverential。  The possession of this
  quality marks the noblest; and highest type of manhood and
  womanhood: reverence for things consecrated by the homage of
  generationsfor high objects; pure thoughts; and noble aims
  for the great men of former times; and the highminded workers
  amongst our contemporaries。  Reverence is alike indispensable to
  the happiness of individuals; of families; and of nations。
  Without it there can be no trust; no faith; no confidence; either
  in man or Godneither social peace nor social progress。  For
  reverence is but another word for religion; which binds men to
  each other; and all to God。
  〃The man of noble spirit;〃 says Sir Thomas Overbury; 〃converts all
  occurrences into experience; between which experience and his
  reason there is marriage; and the issue are his actions。  He moves
  by affection; not for affection; he loves glory; scorns shame; and
  governeth and obeyeth with one countenance; for it comes from one
  consideration。  Knowing reason to be no idle gift of nature; he is
  the steersman of his own destiny。  Truth is his goddess; and he
  takes pains to get her; not to look like her。  Unto the society of
  men he is a sun; whose clearness directs their steps in a regular
  motion。  He is the wise man's friend; the example of the
  indifferent; the medicine of the vicious。  Thus time goeth not
  from him; but with him; and he feels age more by the strength of
  his soul than by the weakness of his body。  Thus feels he no pain;
  but esteems all such things as friends; that desire to file off
  his fetters; and help him out of prison。〃 (11)
  Energy of willself…originating forceis the soul of every
  great character。  Where it is; there is life; where it is not;
  there is faintness; helplessness; and despondency。  〃The strong
  man and the waterfall;〃 says the proverb; 〃channel their own
  path。〃  The energetic leader of noble spirit not only wins a way
  for himself; but carries others with him。  His every act has a
  personal significance; indicating vigour; independence; and self…
  reliance; and unconsciously commands respect; admiration; and
  homage。  Such intrepidity of character characterised Luther;
  Cromwell; Washington; Pitt; Wellington; and all great leaders
  of men。
  〃I am convinced;〃 said Mr。 Gladstone; in describing the qualities
  of the late Lord Palmerston in the House of Commons; shortly after
  his death〃I am convinced that it was the force of will; a sense
  of duty; and a determination not to give in; that enabled him to
  make himself a model for all of us who yet remain and follow him;
  with feeble and unequal steps; in the discharge of our duties; it
  was that force of will that in point of fact did not so much
  struggle against the infirmities of old age; but actually repelled
  them and kept them at a distance。  And one other quality there is;
  at least; that may be noticed without the smallest risk of
  stirring in any breast a painful emotion。  It is this; that Lord
  Palmerston had a nature incapable of enduring anger or any
  sentiment of wrath。  This freedom from wrathful sentiment was not
  the result of painful effort; but the spontaneous fruit of the
  mind。  It was a noble gift of his original naturea gift which
  beyond all others it was delightful to observe; delightful also to
  remember in connection with him who has left us; and with whom we
  have no longer to do; except in endeavouring to profit by his
  example wherever it can lead us in the path of duty and of right;
  and of bestowing on him those tributes of admiration and affection
  which he deser