华盛顿的性格

Jared Sparks，1789 — 1866，was born at Willington，Connecticut，and graduated at Harvard in 1815.He was tutor in the University for two years，and in 1819 was ordained pastor of the Unitarian Church in Baltimore.In 1823 he returned to Boston，purchased the“North American Review，”and was its sole editor for seven years.From 1839 to 1849 he was Professor in Harvard，and for the next three years was President of the University.Mr.Sparks has written extensively on American history and biography，including the lives of Washington and Franklin.He collected the materials for his biographies with great care，and wrought them up with much skill.

The person of Washington was commanding，graceful，and fitly proportioned；his stature six feet，his chest broad and full，his limbs long and somewhat slender，but well-shaped and muscular.His features were regular and symmetrical，his eyes of a light blue color，and his whole countenance，in its quiet state，was grave，placid，and benignant.When alone，or not engaged in conversation，he appeared sedate and thoughtful；but when his attention was excited，his eye kindled quickly，and his face beamed with animation and intelligence.

He was not fluent in speech，but what he said was apposite，and listened to with the more interest as being known to come from the heart.He seldom attempted sallies of wit or humor，but no man received more pleasure from an exhibition of them by others；and，although contented in seclusion，he sought his chief happiness in society，and participated with delight in all its rational and innocent amusements.Without austerity on the one hand，or an appearance of condescending familiarity on the other，he was affable，courteous，and cheerful；but it has often been remarked that there was a dignity in his person and manner not easy to be defined，which impressed everyone that saw him for the first time with an instinctive deference and awe.This may have arisen，in part，from a conviction of his superiority，as well as from the effect produced by his external form and deportment.

The character of his mind was unfolded in the public and private acts of his life；and the proofs of his greatness are seen almost as much in the one as the other.The same qualities which raised him to the ascendency he possessed over the will of a nation，as the commander of armies and chief magistrate，caused him to be loved and respected as an individual.Wisdom，judgment，prudence，and firmness were his predominant traits.No man ever saw more clearly the relative im-portance of things and actions，or divested himself more entirely of the bias of personal interest，partiality，and prejudice，in discriminating between the true and the false，the right and the wrong，in all questions and subjects that were presented to him.He deliberated slowly，but decided surely；and when his decision was once formed he seldom reversed it，and never relaxed from the execution of a measure till it was completed.Courage，physical and moral，was a part of his nature；and，whether in battle，or in the midst of popular excitement，he was fearless of danger，and regardless of consequences to himself.

His ambition was of that noble kind which aims to excel in whatever it undertakes，and to acquire a power over the hearts of men by promoting their happiness and winning their affections.Sensitive to the approbation of others，and solicitous to deserve it，he made no concessions to gain their applause，either by flattering their vanity or yielding to their caprices.Cautious without timidity，bold without rashness，cool in counsel，deliberate but firm in action，clear in foresight，patient under reverses，steady，persevering，and self-possessed，he met and conquered every obstacle that obstructed his path to honor，renown and success.More confident in the uprightness of his intention than in his resources，he sought knowledge and advice from other men.He chose his counselors with unerring sagacity；and his quick perception of the soundness of an opinion，and of the strong points in an argument，enabled him to draw to his aid the best fruits of their talents，and the light of their collected wisdom.

His moral qualities were in perfect harmony with those of his intellect.Duty was the ruling principle of his conduct；and the rare endowments of his understanding were not more constantly tasked to devise the best methods of effecting an object，than they were to guard the sanctity of conscience.No instance can be adduced in which he was actuated by a sinister motive or endeavored to attain an end by unworthy means.Truth，integrity，and justice were deeply rooted in his mind；and nothing could rouse his indignation so soon，or so utterly destroy his confidence，as the discovery of the want of these virtues in anyone whom he had trusted.Weaknesses，follies，indiscretions be could forgive；but subterfuge and dishonesty he never forgot，rarely pardoned.

He was candid and sincere，true to his friends，and faithful to all；neither practicing dissimulation，descending to artifice，nor holding out expectations which he did not intend should be realized.His passions were strong，and sometimes they broke out with vehemence: but he had the power of checking them in an instant.Perhaps self-control was the most remarkable trait of his character.It was，in part，the effect of discipline；yet he seems by nature to have possessed this power in a degree which has been denied to other men.

A Christian in faith and practice，he was habitually devout.His reverence for religion is seen in his example，his public communications，and his private writings.He uniformly ascribed his successes to the beneficent agency of the Supreme Being.Charitable and humane，he was liberal to the poor，and kind to those in distress.As a husband，son，and brother，he was tender and affectionate.Without vanity，ostentation，or pride，he never spoke of himself or his actions unless required by circumstances which concerned the public interests.

As he was free from envy，so he had the good fortune to escape the envy of others by standing on an elevation which none could hope to attain.If he had one passion more strong than another it was love of his country.The purity and ardor of his patriotism were commensurate with the greatness of its object.Love of country in him was invested with the sacred obligation of a duty；and from the faithful discharge of this duty he never swerved for a moment，either in thought or deed，through the whole period of his eventful career.

Such are some of the traits in the character of Washington，which have acquired for him the love and veneration of mankind.If they are not marked with the brilliancy，extravagance，and eccentricity，which，in other men，have excited the astonishment of the world，so neither are they tarnished by the follies，nor disgraced by the crimes of those men.It is the happy combination of rare talents and qualities，the harmonious union of the intellectual and moral powers，rather than the dazzling splendor of any one trait，which constitute the grandeur of his character.If the title of great man ought to be reserved for him who can not be charged with an indiscretion or a vice；who spent his life in establishing the independence，the glory，and durable prosperity of his country；who succeeded in all that he undertook；and whose successes were never won at the expense of honor，justice，integrity，or by the sacrifice of a single principle，—this title will not be denied to Washington.

How sweetly on the ear such echoes sound！

While the mere victors may appall or stun

The servile and the vain，such names will be

A watchword till the future shall be free.

（Byron）

译文　TRANSLATION

杰瑞德·斯帕克斯（1789—1866），出生于康涅狄格州惠灵顿市，1815年毕业于哈佛。他在哈佛担任过两年助教，1819年被任命为一神论教会牧师。1823年他回到波士顿，买下《北美评论》杂志，一个人独立编辑了七年。1839—1849年，他任哈佛教授，在接下来的三年里担任哈佛校长。斯帕克斯的著述主要关于人物传记和美国历史，他著有《华盛顿传》《富兰克林传》。他的传记选材精审，构思巧妙。

华盛顿其人丰仪瑰玮，吐属优雅，体格匀称；他身高六英尺，胸宽背阔，四肢修长、健美；五官端正，双眼呈淡绿色。心平气和之顷，他显得宁谧、温蔼而不失庄重。独处或不与人交谈之时，他会默默陷入沉思。而当兴致盎然之际，他则目光熠熠，谈笑风生，极富智慧。

他的演讲并不流利，却诚恳帖切，而正因为发自内心，引发了听者更多兴趣。他几乎不说那些机智、幽默的俏皮话，偶尔不经意地脱口而出却又予人莫大的愉悦。尽管甘于离群索居，但他很大一部分幸福则来自社交生活，所有理性、无害的娱乐他都乐于参加。他既不束身苦行，也不纡尊降贵似的故作亲切，他平易、谦和、乐观；但他的仪表和举止中又有一种难以名状的高贵，令每个人于初见之下就会对他油然而生敬重、钦佩之情。而这一印象固然源自他自身的仪态和举止，也与人们对他的推崇不无关系。

他的心智品格展现在公私两方面；而无论哪一方面都不失其伟大。那些令他成为国家元首、军事统帅和政府首脑的品质同样使他成为一位受人爱戴的人。有智慧、有识见、审慎而又坚定是他最为突出的个性特征。面对众多的问题和议题，没有人比他更善于审时度势、更长于判定是非真伪，更能摆脱私利、狭隘和偏见的影响。临事之际，他总是深思熟虑，稳健决策；但一经决断就极少更改，而会一鼓作气地将其完成。在现实中和在道德上，他都秉有天然的勇气；无论在疆场，还是在一般的热烈活动中，他都不惧危险，不顾及对自己的影响。

他志向高远，总是力争将自己致力的事做到出类拔萃并努力以增进人们幸福、赢得人们喜爱来引导他们的心灵。他对来自他人的赞美虚怀若谷而渴望做到名至实归；他从不为赢得掌声而迁就让步，不恭维世人的虚荣浮华、不屈从世人的反复无常。谨慎而不怯懦；大胆而不鲁莽；冷静地研讨；缜密而果敢地行动；高瞻远瞩，处乱不惊，稳健、坚毅、从容。他克服了通向荣誉、声望、成功之途上的各种障碍。他坚信自己意愿的正义性，却不予智自雄，而能不耻下问。他精于选择自己的顾问，敏于判断某个主张是否正确以及某个论证有哪些长处，这使他得以集思广益，吸取他人才能与智慧的精华辅助自己。

他德才兼备。责任是他行为的指针。卓越的智慧守护良知的圣洁却不用以达成某个目标。在其立身行事中，没有一例透露阴险的动机或可证明其为达目的不择手段。真理、诚信、正义深深植根于他的心灵；没有什么事比发现自己所信任的人身上缺乏这些美德更能激起他的义愤，摧毁他的信心。他可以原谅怯懦、愚蠢、轻率；但对耍手段、弄虚作假这样的行径却耿耿于怀，绝少宽假。

他坦白、真挚，忠实待友，诚信对人；他从不矫饰、虚伪，也从不炫示自己认为不能实现的愿景。他情感强烈，虽有时不免激越澎湃，但他马上就会控制感情的宣泄。也许富于自制力是他最显著的个性。这种强大的他人所不具备的自制力部分源于自律，更多则是天性使然。

无论在信仰上还是在实际生活中，他都是一名虔诚的基督徒。他的一言一行无不体现出对基督的尊崇，这种尊崇洋溢于他的公开函告与私人信札中。他始终不渝地将自己的成功归因于上帝的眷顾。他对穷苦的人慷慨大度，对身处逆境的人友善仁慈。对妻子、对父母、对兄弟，他都温柔、体贴。他不矜不伐。除非为关乎公众利益的情势所需，他从不谈论自己。

迥出群伦使他免受他人妒忌，亦不嫉妒他人。如果他有某种激情胜过他人，那就是对祖国的爱。其爱国之情的纯真、炽热恰与其振兴祖国的宏伟目标相比配。爱国情怀赋予他神圣的使命感；在他跌宕起伏的生涯中，他没有片刻在思想上、行动上背离这一使命。

以上就是华盛顿的主要性格特征，它们为他赢得了世人的景仰和爱戴。如果说他的个性特征不像别人那样有某种令人击节的超卓、夸张、怪癖，那么，他的品格亦从未被愚行玷污或罪恶败坏。他的品格是罕见的才华与罕见的美德的完美结合，是知性力量与道德力量的和谐统一；德才兼备而非有才无德或有德无才，这成就了他伟大的人格。如果“伟人”这一称号是留给这样一个人——一个从未被斥为轻率孟浪或行为不端的人；一个为祖国的独立、荣光、长治久安奉献一生的人；一个攻无不克、战无不胜的人；一个不以牺牲荣誉、正义、诚信和原则来换取成功的人——那么，这一称号则非华盛顿莫属。

耳畔这些回声多么美妙！

尽管征服者会让奴性与虚荣

心惊胆寒；那些名字却是

通向自由未来的口令。

（拜伦）