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世界上最优美的散文--人生短篇-第4部分
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e laws of right reason are not different for different minds。 therefore clearness and arrangement can be taught； sheer incompetence in the art of expression can be partly remedied。 but who shall impose laws upon the soul。 it is thus of common note that one may dislike or even hate a particular style while admiring its facility； its strength； its skilful adaptation to the m atter set forth。 milton； a chaster and mote unerring master of the art than shak espeare； reveals no such lovable personality。 while persons count for much； styl e； the index to persons； can never count for little。 “speak；〃 it has been said； “that i may know you〃 — voicegesture is more than feature。 write； and after you have attained to some control over the instrument； you write yourself down whether you will or no。 there is no vice； however unconscious； no virtue； howeve r shy； no touch of meanness or of generosity in your character； that will not pa ss on to the paper。 you anticipate the day of judgment and furnish the recording angel with material。 the art of criticism in literature； so often decried and g iven a subordinate place among the arts； is none other than the art of reading a nd interpreting these written evidences。 criticism has been popularly opposed to creation； perhaps because the kind of creation that it attempts is rarely achie ved； and so the world forgets that the main business of criticism； after all； is not to legislate； nor to classify； but to raise the dead。 graves； at its comman d； have waked their sleepers； oped； and let them forth。 it is by the creative po wer of this art that the living man is reconstructed from the litter of blurred and fragmentary paper documents that he has left to posterity。
何谓伟大的艺术
约翰。罗斯金
绘画，或者说一般的艺术本身，尽管它们技巧高妙、困难重重、目标独特，其实也不过 是一种高贵而富于表现力的语言，和思想的载体一样，非常宝贵，不过它们自身毫无价值。 一个人要想学会通常所说的绘画艺术，也就是忠实地再现任何客观物体的艺术，也不过是学 会了表达思想的语言。为了成为受人尊敬的大师，他付出了艰辛的努力，但这种努力跟某个 学会用合乎语法、音调悦耳的文字表达情意的人想成为伟大诗人所付出的努力是一样的。这 种语言的确比那种语言难学，当它诉诸智力时，也更能使人的感官感到愉悦。然而，它仅仅 是语言，画家认为独特的各种优点，也就相当于诗人和演说家语言具有的节奏、旋律、精密 和力量，这些只是他们伟大的必要条件，而不是检验他们是否伟大的标准。不管是画家还是 作家，他的伟大与否，最终不是看他表现与写作的方式，而是看他表现与写作的内容。
所以，如果我说最伟大的画，就是能向看画人的大脑传达最多伟大思想的画，那么，我 这个定义就包括了艺术所能传达的作为比较对象的全部乐趣。相反，如果我说最好的画就是 模仿自然模仿得最『逼』真的画，我是在假定艺术只有模仿自然才能给人愉悦，我批评时就会抛 开那些不是模仿的艺术作品，即具有自身『色』彩美和形式美的作品，以及像拉斐尔在梵蒂冈宫 给绘制的壁画那样毫无模仿的一切艺术作品。现在，我想找个很广的艺术定义，囊括目标各 异的所有艺术种类。因此，我不说给人愉悦最多的艺术最伟大，因为也许某种艺术目的在于 教育，不在于给人以愉悦。我不说教给我们知识最多的艺术最伟大，因为也许某种艺术目的 在于给人愉悦，不在于教育。我不说模仿最佳的艺术最伟大，因为也许某种艺术目的在于创 造而不在于模仿。但我要说，无论采用何种方式，只要是向观众大脑传达最丰富最伟大的思 想的艺术，就是最伟大的艺术；我所说的伟大思想是指它能够为心智较高的人所接受，它能 更彻底地占有并在占有过程中锻炼和提高接受它的心智。
如果说这就是伟大艺术的定义，那么，伟大艺术家的定义自然就是这样的：最伟大的艺 术家就是其全部作品表现了最丰富最伟大的思想的艺术家。
a definition of greatness in art
john ruskin
painting； or art generally； as such； with all its technicalities； difficulti es； and particular ends； is nothing but a noble and expressive language； invalua ble as the vehicle of thought； but by itself nothing。 he who has learned what is commonly considered the whole art of painting； that is； the art of representing any natural object faithfully； has as yet only learned the language by which hi s thoughts are to be expressed。 he has done just as much towards being that whic h we ought to respect as a great painter； as a man who has learnt how to express himself grammatically and melodiously has towards being a great poet。 the langu age is； indeed； more difficult of acquirement in the one case than in the other； and possesses more power of delighting the sense； while it speaks to the intell ect； but it is； nevertheless； nothing more than language； and all those excellen ces which are peculiar to the painter as such； are merely what rhythm； melody； p recision； and force are in the words of the orator and the poet； necessary to th eir greatness； but not the tests of their greatness。 it is not by the mode of re presenting and saying； but by what is represented and said； that the respective greatness either of the painter or the writer is to be finally determined。
so that； if i say that the greatest picture is that which conveys to the min d of the spectator the greatest number of the greatest ideas； i have a definitio n which will include as subjects of comparison every pleasure which art is capab le of conveying。 if i were to say； on the contrary； that the best picture was th at which most closely imitated nature； i should assume that art could only pleas e by imitating nature； and i should cast out of the pale of criticism those part s of works of art which are not imitative； that is to say； intrinsic beauties of color and form； and those works of art wholly； which； like the arabesques of ra ffaelle in the loggias； are not imitative at all。 now； i want a definition of ar t wide enough to include all its varieties of aim。 i do not say； therefore； that the art is greatest which gives most pleasure； because perhaps there is some ar t whose end is to teach； and not to please。 i do not say that the art is greates t which teaches us most； because perhaps there is some art whose end is to pleas e； and not to teach。 i do not say that the art is greatest which imitates best； because perhaps there is some art whose end is to create and not to imitate。 but i say that the art is greatest which conveys to the mind of the spectator； by a ny means whatsoever； the greatest number of the greatest ideas； and i call an id ea great in proportion as it is received by a higher faculty of the mind； and as it mere fully ocomupies； and in ocomupying； exercises and exalts； the faculty by which it is received。
if this； then； be the definition of great art； that of a great artist natura lly follows。 he is the greatest artist who has embodied； in the sum of his works ； the greatest number of the greatest ideas。
第1卷 第三章
小小伟人
奥利弗。哥尔德斯密斯
奥利弗。哥尔德斯密斯（1730—1774），英国剧作家、诗人、散文家。主要作品有小说 《威克菲尔德牧师》，喜剧《曲身求爱》，诗歌《荒村》等。其散文风格平易近人，风趣幽 默，本篇文章正体现了这种风格。
在翻阅本地报纸的时候，我计算了一下，在不到半年的时间里，这里至少出了25名伟人 ，17名非常伟大的人，9名非常杰出的人。报上说，这些人都会受到后人的敬仰；他们显赫 的名字将为世世代代所惊叹。让我想想——如果半年出46名伟人，那一年下来就有92 名。 我不知道后来的人怎么可能记住这么多的伟人，也不知道将来人们除了背诵伟人名册之外， 还有没有其他的事情要『操』心。
公司的总裁开始演讲了，他马上被当成伟人记录下来；平庸的学者压缩他的著作出对开 本了，很快也成为伟人；诗人用押韵的形式把陈旧的感伤串连起来，一时间也成为伟人。无 论受到仰慕的对象多么渺小，身后总会有一群更加渺小的仰慕者跟随。随行的人们一声欢呼 ，他便大步走向伟大，得意洋洋地回头看看那群追随者，一路领略各式各样古怪、离奇、荒 诞和自命不凡的渺小者。
昨天，有位先生请我吃饭，他保证请我吃一块鹿的腰胴肉、一只甲鱼，并且晋见—位伟 人。我如约而至。鹿肉味道不错，甲鱼也很好，但是，那个伟人却让人难以忍受。我刚一开 口说话，立刻就遭到他的厉声驳斥。为了挽回些面子，我试图接二连三地发起进攻，却又被 稀里糊涂地击退。我决定再次从战壕发起冲锋，把谈论的焦点转到中国『政府』上来。即使在这 个问题上，他还是一如既往地断言、斥责、反驳。天啊，我想，这个人竟然装作比我还了解 中国！我朝四下里望望，想看看有谁站在我这一边，但是，每只眼睛都敬慕地凝视着这位伟 人。因此，我想自己还是安安静静地坐着，在其后的谈话里当个好好先生才是上策。
一个人一旦拥有了一批仰慕者，他就会做出自认为合理其实非常荒唐的事；别人还以为 他的言行都是感情的升华或者是大智若愚。假如他违背了常识，就算把茶壶当成烟盒，也会 有人辩解说，那是因为他在专心致志地思考大事：要是他们的言谈举止跟常人无异，那他们 就跟常人一样算不上伟人了。伟大这个概念涵盖了某种奇特的东西，因为对于跟我们非常相 似的事物，我们很少会感到惊讶。
鞑靼人立喇嘛，最先考虑的是把他放在寺庙里的阴暗角落，让他若隐若现地坐在那里， 调整手、嘴唇和眼睛的活动；但最重要的是，他必须做到庄严和肃静。然而这只是把他奉为 神明的序曲：一批使者被派到民间去，称赞他是非常虔诚、庄严、热爱混沌未开的众生；人 们听信了使者的话，就把喇嘛当作偶像顶礼膜拜；他一动不动地接受人们的称颂，于是成为 神，从此由下面的僧人用那不朽的勺子喂养。这个国家也可以使用相同的办法制造伟人。偶 像只需把自己藏起来，然后派出手下的小使者为他高唱赞歌，不管是政治家还是作家，都会 立即被列入伟人名单；如果时兴赞美，如果他对公众谨小慎微地掩盖了自身的渺小，他会一 直受到赞美。
我游历过许多国家，也去过无数的城市，但没有诞生过十一二位这种小伟人的城市，我 还从来没有见识过。他们都认为自己是世界闻名的，并且互相恭维对方的伟大。如果有两个 这样的人相互客套、相互吹捧的时候，是非常有趣的。我曾见到过这样一件事：一位德国医 生把一位修道士大肆赞扬了一番，在场的人们都把他当作了世上最有智慧的人；然后，修道 士又反过来把医生恭维了一番，跟他平分了这份美誉。于是，这两人在众人的掌声中阔步离 去。
过分的赞美不仅仅陪伴着我们伟人的生前，甚至也会不多不少地伴随他进入坟墓。经常 会有下面事情发生：他的一个小小的崇拜者因为他这个大人物而取得成功，于是把他的生平 和著作编成年表。把这称之为炉火边和安乐椅之间的人生革命，可能是恰当的。我们从这份 年表中可以知道，这位伟人是哪年出生的，早年什么时候就表现出了不同寻常的天分和勤奋 的迹象，以及他的伯母和母亲所收集的他小时候说过的一些妙语。第二本书会介绍他上大学 时的情况，书中告诉我们，他在学业上取得了非常惊人进步，补袜子的技术非常高超，而且 有用纸包书保护封面的新发明。紧接着，他又在文学界崭『露』头角，出版了对开本的书。现在 ，伟人成熟了，他的作品被所有喜欢收藏珍本的人争相购买，各种学术团体竞相邀请他参加 ；他跟某位拉丁名字很长的外国人辩论并战胜对手，得到几位严肃的大作家的赞扬；他特别 喜欢吃猪肉蘸鸡蛋沙司，他成为一家文学俱乐部的『主席』并在荣誉到达巅峰时去世。他们是多 么幸福啊，因为某个小小的忠实随从，不仅不会抛弃他们，而且准备与每个反对者辩论，当 着反对者的面歌颂他们；同时准备在他们生前渲染他们的骄傲，在他们死后美化他们的品行 。至于你跟我，朋友，因为没有谦恭的追随者相伴，我们现在不是伟人，将来也不可能成为 伟人，而且也不在乎自己是否是个伟人，但是，我们至少可以争取做一个拥有平常心的老实 人。
a little great man
oliver goldsmith
in reading the newspapers here； i have reckoned up not less than twentyfiv e great men； seventeen very great men； and nine very extraordinary men in less t han the compass of half a year。 these； say the gazettes； are the men that poster ity are to gaze at with admiration； these the names that fame will be employed i n holding up for the astonishment of sucomeeding ages。 let me see — fortysix g reat men in half a year； amounts to just ninetytwo in a year。 — i wonder how posterity will be able to remember them all； or whether the people； in future ti mes； will have any other business to mind； but that of getting the catalogue by heart。
does the mayor of a corporation make a speech。 he is instantly set down for a great man。 does a pedant digest his common place book into a folio。 he quickly becomes great： does a poet siring up trite sentiments in rhyme。 he also becomes the great man of the hour。 how diminutive soever the object of adminition， eac h is followed by a erowd of still more diminutive adminers。 the shout begins in his train； onward he marches towards immortality； looks back at the pursuing cro wd with selfsatisfaction； catching all the oddities； the whimsies； the absurdi ties； and the littlenesses of conscious greatness； by the way。
i was yesterday invited by a gentleman to dinner；who promised that our ente rtainment should consist of an haunch of venison； a turtle； and a great man。 i c ame； acomording to appointment。 the venison was fine； the turtle good； but the gr eat man insupportable。 the moment i ventured to speak； i was at once contradicte d with a snap。 i attempted； by a second and a third assault； to retrieve my lost reputation； but was still beat back with confusion。 i was resolved to attack hi m once more from entrenchment； and turned the conversation upon the government o f china： but even here he asserted； snapped； and contradicted as before。 heavens ； thought i； this man pretends to know china even better than myself！ i looked r ound to see who was on my side； but every eye was fixed in admiration on the gre at man； i therefore； at last thought proper to sit silent； and act the pretty ge ntleman during the ensuing conversation。
when a man has once secured a circle of admirers； he may be as ridiculous he re as he thinks proper； and it all passes for elevation of sentiment； or learned absence。 if he transgresses the common forms of breeding； mistakes even a teapo t for a tobacomobox； it is said； that his thoughts are fixed on more important objects：to speak and act like the rest of mankind is to be no greater than they 。 there is something of oddity in the very idea of greatness； for we are seldom astonished at a thing very much resembling ourselves。
when the tartars make a lama； their first care is to place him in a dark cor ner of the temple； here he is to sit half concealed from view； to regulate the m otion of his hands； lips； and eyes； but； above ail； he is enjoined gravity and s ilence。 this； however； is but the prelude to his apotheosis： a set of emissaries are dispatched among the people to cry up his piety； gravity； and love of raw f lesh； the people take them at their word； approach the lama； now become an idol； with the most humble prostration： he receives their addresses without motion； c ommences a god； and is ever after fed by his priests with the spoon of immortali ty。 the same receipt in this country serves to make a great man。 the idol only k eeps close； sends out his little emissaries to be hearty in his praise； and stra ight； whether statesman or author； he is set down in the list of fame； continuin g to be praised while it is fashionable to praise； or while he prudently keeps h is minuteness； concealed from the public。
i have visited many countries； and have been in cities without number； yet n ever did i enter a town which could not produce ten or twelve of those little gr eat men； all fancying themselves known to the rest of the world； and complimenti ng each other upon their extensive reputation。 it is amusing enough when two of those domestic prodigies of learning mount the stage of ceremony； and give and t ake praise from each other。 i have been present when a german doctor； for having pronounced a panegyric upon a certain monk； was thought the most ingenious man in the world； till the monk soon after divided this reputation by returning the compliment； by which means they both marched off with universal applause。
the same degree of underserved adulation that attends our great man while li ving； often also follows him to tomb。 it frequently happens that one of his litt le admirers sits down big with the important subject； and is delivered of the hi stor
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