精美英文欣赏:On Etiquette论礼仪

（单词翻译）

On Etiquette¹

Etiquette to society is what apparel is to the individual. Without apparel men would go in shameful² nudity which would surely lead to the corruption³ of morals; and without etiquette society would be in a pitiable state and the necessary intercourse⁴ between its members would be interfered⁵ with by needless offences and troubles. If society were a train, the etiquette would be the rails along which only the train could rumble⁶ forth⁷; if society were a state coach, the etiquette would be the wheels and axis⁸, on which only the coach could roll forward. The lack of proprieties⁹ would make the most intimate friends turn to be the most decided¹⁰ enemies and the friendly or allied¹¹ countries declare war against each other. We can find many examples in the history of mankind. Therefore I advise you to stand on ceremony before anyone else and to take pains not to do anything against etiquette lest you give offences or make enemies.

论礼仪

礼仪之于社会犹如衣着之于个人。人若不穿衣服，就会一丝不挂，令人耻笑，必然导致道德败坏，社会要是没有礼仪，就会陷入可悲的境地，而社会成员之间所必需的交往就会被无谓的冲突和纠纷所干扰。假定社会是一列火车，礼仪就好比轨道，火车只能沿着它隆隆前进。假定社会是一辆贵宾车，礼仪就好比轮子与轴，马车只有靠它们才能滚滚前进。缺了礼节，最亲密的朋友会变成死敌，友好或结盟的国家会兵戎相见。我们可以从人类历史上找到许多这种例子。因此我劝你对于任何人都要讲究礼仪，并且尽力不做违背礼仪的事，以免冒犯他人或者树敌。