约翰·洛克的教育思想(中英对照)-10: 导师

巴金有《随想录》来记录他晚年的回忆反思。我还没到晚年,也没有他那么多思想。只有一些零思碎想,就叫“随想簿”吧。
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TUTOR | If a tutor can be got, that, thinking himself in his father’s place, charged with his care, and relishing these things, will at the beginning apply himself to put them in practice, he will afterwards find his work very easy: and you will, I guess, have your son in a little time a greater proficient in both learning and breeding, than perhaps you imagine. But let him by no means beat him, at any time, without your consent and direction: at least till you have experience of his discretion and temper. But yet, to keep up his authority with his pupil, besides concealing that he has not the power of the rod, you must be sure to use him with great respect yourself, and cause all your family to do so too. For you cannot expect your son should have any regard for one, whom he sees you, or his mother, or others slight. If you think him worthy of contempt, you have chosen amiss; and if you show any contempt of him, he will hardly escape it from your son: and whenever that happens, whatever worth he may have in himself, and abilities for this employment, they are all lost to your child, and can afterwards never be made useful to him.

导师 |  假如你能找到到一个导师,他能从为人父亲的位置着想,担当起做父亲的责任,喜欢这些事情,能从开始就努力去把它们付诸实践,他日后就会发现他的工作是很容易;而且我猜你会发现短时间内你的儿子在学习与教养两方面都取得意外的成就。但是没有你的同意与指导,导师在任何时候不能用任何方式打小孩;至少要等到你明了他的判断力与脾性以后。然而为保持他对学生的权威,除了隐藏他没有鞭打的权力以外,你自己必须要对他非常尊敬,而且要让全家人同样尊敬他。因为你不能期待你的儿子尊重一个父母与别人都轻视的人。假如你认为他应受轻视,那你就选错人了;假如你对他有任何轻视的表现,他同样逃不了你儿子的轻视:一旦这情形发生了,无论导师自己多么有价值,无论他做导师多么有能力,这对你小孩来说都完结了,以后对他也不再有任何用处。

As the father's example must teach the child respect for his tutor; so the tutor's example must lead the child into those actions he would have him do. His practice must by no means cross his precepts, unless he intend to set him wrong. It will be to no purpose for the tutor to talk of the restraint of the passions, whilst any of his own are let loose: and he will in vain endeavour to reform any vice or indecency in his pupil, which he allows in himself. Ill patterns are sure to be followed more than good rules: and therefore he must also carefully preserve him from the influence of ill precedents, especially the most dangerous of all, the examples of the servants; from whose company he is to be kept, not by prohibitions, for that will but give him an itch after it, but by other ways I have mentioned.

父亲应当以身作则教导小孩尊敬导师;导师也应以身作则引导小孩去做他希望小孩做的事情。导师的行为一定不能违反他自己的教训,除非他存心让小孩变坏。如果导师自己任性而为,那叫小孩克制激情是没有用的;而且他如果自己行为邪恶下流,他不可能改正学生的邪恶下流行为。坏榜样比好规矩更容易被遵循:所以他要小心,不让小孩受到坏榜样的影响,特别是仆人的榜样最危险;让小孩远离仆人的榜样,不是靠禁止,因为那反而会让他更想接近,而是要靠我说过别的方法。

GOVERNOR | In all the whole business of education, there is nothing like to be less hearkened to, or harder to be well observed, than what I am now going to say; and that is, that children should, from their first beginning to talk, have some discreet, sober, nay wise person about them, whose care it should be to fashion them aright, and keep them from all ill, especially the infection of bad company. I think this province requires great sobriety, temperance, tenderness, diligence, and discretion, qualities hardly to be found united in persons, that are to be had for ordinary salaries: nor easily to be found any-where. As to the charge of it, I think it will be the money best laid out that can be about our children; and therefore, though it may be expensive more than is ordinary, yet it cannot be thought dear. He that at any rate procures his child a good mind, well-principled, tempered to virtue and usefulness, and adorned with civility and good-breeding, makes a better purchase for him, than if he had laid out the money for an addition of more earth to his former acres. Spare it in toys and play-games, in silk and ribbons, laces and other useless expences, as much as you please; but be not sparing in so necessary a part as this. It is not good husbandry to make his fortune rich, and his mind poor. I have often, with great admiration, seen people lavish it profusely in tricking up their children in fine clothes, lodging, and feeding them sumptuously, allowing them more than enough of useless servants; and yet at the same time starve their minds, and not take sufficient care to cover that, which is the most shameful nakedness, viz. their natural wrong inclinations and ignorance. This I can look on as no other than a sacrificing to their own vanity; it showing more their pride, than true care of the good of their children. Whatsoever you employ to the advantage of your son's mind will show your true kindness, though it be to the lessening of his estate. A wise and good man can hardly want either the opinion or reality of being great and happy. But he that is foolish or vicious, can be neither great nor happy, what estate soever you leave him: and I ask you, whether there be not men in the world, whom you had rather have your son be, with £500 per annum, than some other you know, with £5000?

导师 |  在整个教育事业中,没有什么比我现在要说的事情更少为人倾听,更难以为人好好注意;就是,小孩从刚开始能说话时起,左右就该有个谨慎、清醒、甚至明智的人,他的责任是正确地塑造小孩,使他们不去接近一切坏事,特别是不受坏伙伴的影响。我认为这职责要求很大的冷静、节制、温柔、勤奋与谨慎,这些品质难以统一在同一个人身上,至少不会在一般薪水雇来的人身上,也不是什么地方都容易找到的。至于费用,我认为这是我们在小孩身上花得最好的一笔钱;所以,即使比普通多花费一点,也不能算贵。谁能在这上面花钱,让他的小孩具有善良的心地、良好的原则性、渴慕美德与价值,而且有礼貌和良好的教养,这比用这笔钱去买更多的田地划算多了。玩具、丝绸、缎带、花边以及种种无用的花费,你都可以尽量地节省;但是不能节省这种必须开销的花费。使孩子财产富裕而精神贫乏,这不是治家的好办法。我常常惊奇地发现,人们大肆挥霍,让孩子穿华服、住豪宅和享美食,还有过多无用的仆人;同时却让他们精神空虚,没有尽力去遮掩这最可耻的赤裸裸的小孩本性中的错误倾向与无知。我觉得这只是为了父母的虚荣心所作出的牺牲,为的是夸耀他们自己,不是真正为了自己孩子的好处。凡是你为儿子的精神得益所作的事,表现了你对他的真正的慈爱,即使减少传给他的财产也无所谓。一个聪明善良的人,在别人的心目中,以及在事实上,都很少不是伟大和幸福的;但是一个愚蠢或邪恶的人,不管你留下多少财产给他,也不可能是伟大和幸福的。我且问你,你是不是宁愿你的儿子成为某些有五百镑年金的人,而不是另外一些有五千镑年金的人?

The consideration of charge ought not, therefore, to deter those who are able: the great difficulty will be, where to find a proper person. For those of small age, parts, and virtue, are unfit for this employment; and those that have greater, will hardly be got to undertake such a charge. You must therefore look out early, and inquire every-where; for the world has people of all sorts: and I remember, Montaigne says in one of his essays, that the learned Castalio was fain to make trenchers at Basil, to keep himself from starving, when his father would have given any money for such a tutor for his son, and Castalio have willingly embraced such an employment upon very reasonable terms; but this was for want of intelligence.

所以花费不应该是可以负担的人家要考虑的:很大的困难是在哪里找到合适的人选。因为年纪、才能与德行都小的人不能胜任这个工作;而年高德劭又有才能的人很难用这样的花费请到。因此你要及早留意,到处打听;因为世界上有各种各样的人。我记得蒙田(Montaigne)在他的一篇散文中说过,博学的卡斯特利奥 (Castellio)曾经为了糊口,不得不到巴塞尔 (Basil)去制作木制食盘;那时蒙田的父亲愿意付任何价钱为他的儿子找到这样一位导师,而卡斯特利奥也一定愿意以合理的条件接受这种聘请;可惜的是信息不通。

If you find it difficult to meet with such a tutor as we desire, you are not to wonder. I only can say, spare no care nor cost to get such an one. All things are to be had that way: and I dare assure you, that, if you can get a good one, you will never repent the charge; but will always have the satisfaction to think it the money, of all other, the best laid out. But be sure take nobody upon friends, or charitable, no, nor bare great commendations. Nay, if you will do as you ought, the reputation of a sober man, with a good stock of learning, (which is all usually required in a tutor,) will not be enough to serve your turn. In this choice be as curious, as you would be in that of a wife for him: for you must not think of trial, or changing afterwards; that will cause great inconvenience to you, and greater to your son. When I consider the scruples and cautions I here lay in your way, methinks it looks as if I advised you to something, which I would have offered at, but in effect not done. But he that shall consider, how much the business of a tutor, rightly employed, lies out of the road; and how remote it is from the thoughts of many, even of those who propose to themselves this employment; will perhaps be of my mind, that one, fit to educate and form the mind of a young gentleman, is not every-where to be found; and that more than ordinary care is to be taken in the choice of him, or else you may fail of your end.

如果你发现很难遇到这样一位我们期望的导师,你不必奇怪。我只能说,不要怕花钱或花精力去找到这样一位导师。所有事物都要这样才能得到:我敢向你保证,假如你能得到一位好导师,你决不会后悔所花的钱的;你会永远觉得在你所花的金钱之中这笔钱是花得最好的。但是聘请导师决不要只听信朋友、或出于善举,也不要只凭很多好话。不但如此,如果你照你该做的去执行,一个人有严谨的名声、丰富的学识 (这是对导师的通常要求),还是不够替你做事的。为孩子选择导师,要像为他选择妻子一样仔细准确:因为你绝不能想试一试,以后再换;那对你很不方便,对你儿子就更麻烦了。这里我给你提到种种顾虑与小心,我想看起来就像是我建议你做某件事,那本来我有机会做,但我却没有做到。大家只要想一想,一般导师的工作多少是偏离正道,又离众人所认同有多远,甚至离自己想做导师的人所想的也很远;大家也许会与我有同感,就是,适合教育年轻绅士和塑造他们精神的导师不是随便什么地方都能找到的;选择这种人应比平常格外当心,否则你不会达到你的目的。

The character of a sober man, and a scholar, is, as I have above observed, what every one expects in a tutor. This generally is thought enough, and is all that parents commonly look for. But when such an one has emptied out, into his pupil, all the Latin and logic he has brought from the university, will that furniture make him a fine gentleman? Or can it be expected that he should be better bred, better skilled in the world, better principled in the grounds and foundations of true virtue and generosity, than his young tutor is?

我前面提到过,每个人都期望导师具有严谨的人的气质与学者的品质。一般认为这就足够了,父母通常所找寻的也就是如此。但是当这样一个导师把自己从大学里面学来的拉丁文与逻辑知识全部灌输给他的学生之后,难道这种装点就可以使学生变成一个优雅的绅士吗?或者期待学生比年轻的导师更有教养、更娴熟处世之道,更有真正德行与慷慨大方的基础吗?

To form a young gentleman as he should be, it is fit his governor himself should be well-bred, understand the ways of carriage, and measures of civility, in all the variety of persons, times, and places; and keep his pupil, as much as his age requires, constantly to the observation of them. This is an art not to be learnt, nor taught by books: nothing can give it, but good company and observation joined together. The taylor may make his clothes modish, and the dancing-master give fashion to his motions; yet neither of these, though they set off well, make a well-bred gentleman: no, though he have learning to boot; which, if not well managed, makes him more impertinent and intolerable in conversation. Breeding is that, which sets a gloss upon all his other good qualities, and renders them useful to him, in procuring him the esteem and good-will of all that he comes near. Without good-breeding, his other accomplishments make him pass but for proud, conceited, vain, or foolish.

要把一个青年绅士培养成他应该的那样,导师自己应该具有良好的教养,对各样的人物、在各种的时间和地点,都有恰当的举止与礼貌;在学生年纪的许可范围内,尽量让他遵行。这是一种艺术不能被教会,也不可能从书本学来的;除了通过好的伙伴与实践相结合,没有什么方法可以习得它。裁缝可以把他的衣服做得时髦,舞蹈老师可以把他的动作教得时尚;虽然这些会使他们很体面,却没有一样能使他们成为有良好教养的绅士。不,即使他学有所成,如果不能很好地控制,只会使他在与人交往的时候更无礼、更无法容忍。教养就像给他的一切其它良好品质加的注释,使它们对他有用,为他赢得他周围所有的人的尊敬与善意。没有好的教养,他的其余成就让他显得骄傲、自负、虚荣或愚蠢。

Courage, in an ill-bred man, has the air, and escapes not the opinion, of brutality: learning becomes pedantry; wit, buffoonery; plainness, rusticity; good-nature, fawning: and there cannot be a good quality in him, which want of breeding will not warp, and disfigure to his disadvantage. Nay, virtue and parts, though they are allowed their due commendation, yet are not enough to procure a man a good reception, and make him welcome wherever he comes. Nobody contents himself with rough diamonds, and wears them so, who would appear with advantage. When they are polished and set, then they give a lustre. Good qualities are the substantial riches of the mind; but it is good-breeding sets them off: and he that will be acceptable, must give beauty, as well as strength, to his actions. Solidity, or even usefulness, is not enough: a graceful way and fashion, in every thing, is that which gives the ornament and liking. And, in most cases, the manner of doing is of more consequence than the thing done; and upon that depends the satisfaction, or disgust, wherewith it is received. This, therefore, which lies not in the putting off the hat, nor making of compliments, but in a due and free composure of language, looks, motion, posture, place, etc. suited to persons and occasions, and can be learned only by habit and use, though it be above the capacity of children, and little ones should not be perplexed about it; yet it ought to be begun, and in a good measure learned, by a young gentleman, whilst he is under a tutor, before he comes into the world upon his own legs; for then usually it is too late to hope to reform several habitual indecencies, which lie in little things. For the carriage is not as it should be, till it is become natural in every part; falling, as skilful musicians fingers do, into harmonious order, without care, and without thought. If in conversation a man's mind be taken up with a solicitous watchfulness about any part of his behaviour, instead of being mended by it, it will be constrained, uneasy, and ungraceful.

一个没有教养的人有了胆量,只会给人野蛮的印象,并为人所议论:学识成为迂腐,机智成为滑稽,质朴成为粗俗,温厚成为谄媚;没有教养,任何美德都变形成为他的不利之处。而且,美德与能力虽然可获赞扬,却不足以使其被人接纳,到处都受到欢迎。没有人满足于未经加工的钻石,也不会觉得佩戴这钻石有什么益处。当钻石经过琢磨和镶嵌之后,它们却光彩照人。良好的品质是精神上的本质宝藏,却是由良好的教养把它们凸显出来:那受人欢迎的人,他的动作不仅有力,而且优美。稳健可靠,甚至有益可用,还是不够的:在每一件事上都有优雅的方法与方式,才会显得漂亮并为人喜爱。在大多数情况下,做事的态度方式比所做的事影响更大,它决定人们是满意还是厌恶这事。这指的不只是脱帽致意,也不是赞美夸奖,而是按照人物和场合,决定合适与冷静自如的语言、面貌、动作、姿势与位置等等,这只能通过习惯与实际运用来学习,超出了孩子们的能力,小孩子不该受此困扰;但是也要早开始,当年轻的绅士还受导师管束,没有自己面对世界的时候,就应学得很好;因为通常希望要纠正小事上的一些习惯性的粗鄙行为时,那就太迟了。举止要合宜,必须一切都要熟练自然,就像技艺高超的音乐家,手指落下就成曲调,不用当心,不用思考。如果交谈时,一个人的心思总是分心注意他的行为,不仅不能改进它,反而使它变得拘束、不自在与不优雅。

Besides, this part is most necessary to be formed by the hands and care of a governor: because, though the errours committed in breeding are the first that are taken notice of by others, yet they are the last that any one is told of. Not but that the malice of the world is forward enough to tattle of them; but it is always out of his hearing, who should make profit of their judgment, and reform himself by their censure. And indeed this is so nice a point to be meddled with, that even those who are friends, and wish it were mended, scarce ever dare mention it, and tell those they love, that they are guilty in such or such cases of ill breeding. Errours in other things may often with civility be shown another; and it is no breach of good manners, or friendship, to set him right in other mistakes: but good-breeding itself allows not a man to touch upon this; or to insinuate to another, that he is guilty of want of breeding. Such information can come only from those who have authority over them: and from them too it comes very hardly and harshly to a grown man; and, however softened, goes but ill down with any one, who has lived ever so little in the world. Wherefore it is necessary, that this part should be the governor's principal care; that an habitual gracefulness, and politeness in all his carriage, may be settled in his charge, as much as may be, before he goes out of his hands: and that he may not need advice in this point, when he has neither time nor disposition to receive it, nor has any body left to give it him. The tutor therefore ought, in the first place, to be well-bred: and a young gentleman, who gets this one qualification from his governor, sets out with great advantage; and will find, that this one accomplishment will more open his way to him, get him more friends, and carry him farther in the world, than all the hard words, or real knowledge, he has got from the liberal arts, or his tutor's learned encyclopedia; not that those should be neglected, but by no means preferred, or suffered to thrust out the other.

另外,这部分是最需要导师的亲手照料来建立形成的:因为教养方面的错误最早被别人注意到,本人却是最后知道的。世上一些有恶意的人总爱为此说闲话,但犯错的人却始终听不到,不能从他人的评判中受益,也不能根据他人的责难来改进自己。确实这是如此微妙难以干涉,以至于朋友希望错误被改正,也很少敢提醒,不敢告诉他们所爱的朋友,说他们犯有这样或那样不良教养的错误。别的事情出错还可以客气地指出,帮他改正别的错误也不伤礼貌、不伤友谊;但是良好的教养本身却不让人触及这问题,即使委婉地说别人缺乏教养,这本来就是不礼貌、没教养的。这样的批评只能来自于有权管束他们的人;就算这样评说一个成人也是很困难、很不中听的;那对于一个涉世未深的人,无论措辞如何缓和,总不会使人高兴。所以这应该是导师的主要关注点,就是在孩子脱离他的控制之前,多多管教他,让他在所有的举止上都形成习惯性的优雅与彬彬有礼;以后当小孩没时间、没心情接受劝告,或者没人给他劝告时,他不再需要这方面的建议。所以导师首先要自己很有教养,一个青年绅士从导师获得这种品质,对他大有益处;他会发现,他的这一修养会使他的道路更宽广、朋友更众多、世上的成就更大,超出他从人文学科或导师的百科全书学到的深奥字句或真实知识所能成就他的;并不是那些字句或知识可以忽视,只是不要偏好它们、不要容许它们把别的排挤掉。

Besides being well-bred, the tutor should know the world well; the ways, the humours, the follies, the cheats, the faults of the age he is fallen into, and particularly of the country he lives in. These he should be able to show to his pupil, as he finds him capable; teach him skill in men, and their manners; pull off the mask, which their several callings and pretences cover them with; and make his pupil discern what lies at the bottom, under such appearances; that he may not, as unexperienced young men are apt to do, if they are unwarned, take one thing for another, judge by the outside, and give himself up to show, and the insinuation of a fair carriage, or an obliging application. A governor should teach his scholar to guess at, and beware of, the designs of men he hath to do with, neither with too much suspicion, nor too much confidence; but, as the young man is by nature most inclined to either side, rectify him, and bend him the other way. He should accustom him to make, as much as is possible, a true judgment of men by those marks, which serve best to show what they are, and give a prospect into their inside; which often shows itself in little things, especially when they are not in parade, and upon their guard. He should acquaint him with the true state of the world, and dispose him to think no man better or worse, wiser or foolisher, than he really is. Thus, by safe and insensible degrees, he will pass from a boy to a man; which is the most hazardous step in all the whole course of life. This therefore should be carefully watched, and a young man with great diligence handed over it; and not, as now usually is done, be taken from a governor's conduct, and all at once thrown into the world under his own, not without manifest danger of immediate spoiling; there being nothing more frequent, than instances of the great looseness, extravagancy, and debauchery, which young men have run into, as soon as they have been let loose from a severe and strict education: which, I think, may be chiefly imputed to their wrong way of breeding, especially in this part; for, having been bred up in a great ignorance of what the world truly is, and finding it quite another thing, when they come into it, than what they were taught it should be, and so imagined it was; are easily persuaded, by other kind of tutors, which they are sure to meet with, that the discipline they were kept under, and the lectures that were read to them, were but the formalities of education, and the restraints of childhood; that the freedom belonging to men, is to take their swing in a full enjoyment of what was before forbidden them. They show the young novice the world, full of fashionable and glittering examples of this every-where, and he is presently dazzled with them. My young master, failing not to be willing to show himself a man, as much as any of the sparks of his years, lets himself loose to all the irregularities he finds in the most debauched; and thus courts and manliness, in the casting off the modesty and sobriety he has till then been kept in; and thinks it brave, at his first setting out, to signalize himself in running counter to all the rules of virtue, which have been preached to him by his tutor.

导师除了有良好的教养,还应该洞察世事:懂得这个时代人们的行事方式、精神性情、愚蠢荒唐、欺瞒哄骗和毛病过失,特别是他所在国家的人。当导师知道他的学生有理解能力,他就应该把这些情形告诉学生;教学生与人交往的技巧与礼节;教学生撕开面具,看清伪装在下面的各种欲望;让学生能分辨表象下面的真相,这样他就不会像没有经验的年轻人一样,若无提醒,就会黑白混淆,以貌取人,自己也只图表现,总是装模作样,强作努力。导师应该教学生猜度与当心那些他不得不打交道的人的企图,既不要过于多疑,也不要过于轻信;但是年轻人本性总是偏向极端,应该改正他这一缺点。当人们不在大庭广众之下、不警惕防备时,他们常在小事上显示一些迹象,最能表明他们的本来面目与真实内心,导师应该教学生尽量习惯从这些迹象来真正判断别人。他应该让学生了解世界的真实情况,使学生能真正认清一个人是好还是坏,是聪明还是愚蠢。于是,他可以安安全全、不知不觉地从小孩长大成人;这是整个人生中最危险阶段。所以这应该很小心,年轻人更要勤勉小心度过这个阶段;而不是照通常的做法,让孩子脱离导师的引导,突然自己闯世界,置身于立刻堕落的明显危险中;当年轻人一旦不再受严格教育的约束,最经常的情况是他们变得极其放任、浪费挥霍与荒淫堕落。这些情形,特别是放任堕落,主要应该归咎于他们错误的教养方法;因为在教育成长的过程中,他们对真实世界一无所知,而当他们进入社会,他们却发现与他们被教育的理想情况或他们的想象完全不同;他们肯定会遇到另一种"导师",被那种"导师"轻易说服,认为他们所受的管束、所听的教训,只是教育的一种形式和对小孩的束缚;认为成人享有的自由,可以让他们完全享受以前被禁止的东西。这"导师"给初涉人世的年轻人展示这世界中到处充斥的时尚光鲜的榜样,使他们马上为此神晕目眩。我的少主人,也会像相同年纪的纨绔子弟一样,为了显示自己是成人,放纵自己去过放荡无度的不正常生活;为了追求名声与男子气,抛弃了他一直保持的谦虚与庄重的态度;也为了表现勇敢,一开始就与导师教给他的所有美德的规矩背道而驰。

The showing him the world as really it is, before he comes wholly into it, is one of the best means, I think, to prevent this mischief. He should, by degrees, be informed of the vices in fashion, and warned of the applications and designs of those who will make it their business to corrupt him. He should be told the arts they use, and the trains they lay; and now and then have set before him the tragical or ridiculous examples of those who are ruining, or ruined, this way. The age is not like to want instances of this kind, which should be made land-marks to him; that by the disgraces, diseases, beggary, and shame of hopeful young men, thus brought to ruin, he may be precautioned, and be made see, how those join in the contempt and neglect of them that are undone, who, by pretences of friendship and respect, led them into it, and helped to prey upon them whilst they were undoing; that he may see, before he buys it by a too dear experience, that those who persuade him not to follow the sober advices he has received from his governors, and the counsel of his own reason, which they call being governed by others, do it only, that they may have the government of him themselves; and make him believe, he goes like a man of himself, by his own conduct, and for his own pleasure, when, in truth, he is wholly as a child, led by them into those vices, which best serve their purposes. This is a knowledge, which, upon all occasions, a tutor should endeavour to instil, and by all methods try to make him comprehend, and thoroughly relish.

我认为在小孩没有完全走入社会之前便把人世真实情况告诉他,是预防这种弊端的最好方式之一。应该逐渐告诉他流行的恶习,要他防备某些人意图让他堕落的行动与计谋。应该告诉他这些人所用的伎俩,所设的羁绊;还要不时给他举一些正在或已经这样堕落的人的可悲又可笑的实例。这个时代并不缺少这样的实例,它们可以作为他的殷鉴:那些满怀希望的年轻人,因为堕落而名声扫地、疾病缠身、一贫如洗和羞愧难当,看到这些他就会提防警惕,他会注意有些人参与鄙夷与怠慢堕落的年轻人,原来就是用伪装的友谊和恭敬诱使年轻人的堕落、并在他们堕落过程中助纣为虐欺负他们的人;这样不用代价太大的经历,他就会看清那些人劝诱他不要听从导师严肃的忠告与他自己理智的主张,贬斥那是受人管束,他们这样做的目的只是为了他们自己可以辖制他;他们使他相信自己是一个成人,为了自己的快乐,可以自行其是,但事实上他还完全是一个孩子,被他们引领去干对他们最有利的恶行。这是一种知识,导师应当找一切时机竭力地灌输给他,用一切方法让他理解和完全领会。

I know it is often said, that to discover to a young man the vices of the age is to teach them him. That, I confess, is a good deal so, according as it is done; and therefore requires a discreet man of parts, who knows the world, and can judge of the temper, inclination, and weak side of his pupil. This farther is to be remembered, that it is not possible now (as perhaps formerly it was) to keep a young gentleman from vice, by a total ignorance of it; unless you will all his life mew him up in a closet, and never let him go into company. The longer he is kept thus hood-winked, the less he will see, when he comes abroad into open day-light, and be the more exposed to be a prey to himself and others. And an old boy, at his first appearance, with all the gravity of his ivy-bush about him, is sure to draw on him the eyes and chirping of the whole town volery; amongst which, there will not be wanting some birds of prey, that will presently be on the wing for him.

我知道人们常说,把时代的邪恶告诉年轻人等于是教他作恶。我承认,就通常的做法而言,很大程度上这种说法是对的;所以需要一个谨慎持重的能人,他洞晓世事,能够判断他的学生的脾性、倾向与弱点。更加要记住,在现在这个时代是不可能 (在以前也许可以)让一个年轻的绅士完全不知道邪恶的事情来避免染上邪恶,除非你想把他在密室关一生,永远不让他与人来往。他这样被蒙蔽得愈久,当他走到光天化日之下,就愈看不清楚了,愈容易成为自己与别人的受害者。一个大孩子初见世面的时候,庄敬自重,肯定会吸引全城的鸟儿关注与叽叽喳喳;其中不免有些猛禽马上向他展翅飞去。

The only fence against the world, is a thorough knowledge of it: into which a young gentleman should be entered by degrees, as he can bear it; and the earlier the better, so he be in safe and skilful hands to guide him. The scene should be gently opened, and his entrance made step by step, and the dangers pointed out that attend him, from the several degrees, tempers, designs, and clubs of men. He should be prepared to be shocked by some, and caressed by others; warned who are like to oppose, who to mislead, who to undermine him, and who to serve him. He should be instructed how to know and distinguish men; where he should let them see, and when dissemble the knowledge of them, and their aims and workings. And if he be too forward to venture upon his own strength and skill, the perplexity and trouble of a misadventure now and then, that reaches not his innocence, his health, or reputation, may not be an ill way to teach him more caution.

对这个世界唯一的防卫是彻底地了解世界:一个年轻的绅士在他能承受的范围内逐渐进入世界;而且要越早越好,这样他就由稳妥与有技能的人来引领他。场景应该渐渐打开,他也要一步步进入,并且向他指出,从各种地位、各种脾性、各种图谋与各种团体的人所来的靠近他的危险。他应该准备承受一些人的打击,接受另一些人的关爱;应该提醒他,谁会反对他,谁会误导他,谁会暗算他,谁又会为他服务。应该指导他怎样了解与区分人;应该知道什么地方让人看见,什么时候又该假装不知道别人、别人的目的与运作。如果他急于靠自己的勇气与本领去冒险,时不时的不幸事件引发的窘迫与麻烦,只要不影响他的纯真、健康或声誉,也是一个教他更加小心的不坏方法。

This, I confess, containing one great part of wisdom, is not the product of some superficial thoughts, or much reading; but the effect of experience and observation in a man, who has lived in the world with his eyes open, and conversed with men of all sorts. And therefore I think it of most value to be instilled into a young man, upon all occasions which offer themselves, that when he comes to launch into the deep himself, he may not be like one at sea without a line, compass, or sea-chart; but may have some notice before-hand of the rocks and shoals, the currents and quick-sands, and know a little how to steer, that he sink not, before he get experience. He that thinks not this of more moment to his son, and for which he more needs a governor, than the languages and learned sciences, forgets of how much more use it is to judge right of men, and manage his affairs wisely with them, than to speak Greek and Latin, or argue in mood and figure; or to have his head filled with the abstruse speculations of natural philosophy and metaphysics; nay, than to be well versed in Greek and Roman writers, though that be much better for a gentleman, than to be a good peripatetic or cartesian: because those ancient authors observed and painted mankind well, and give the best light into that kind of knowledge. He that goes into the eastern parts of Asia, will find able and acceptable men, without any of these: but without virtue, knowledge of the world, and civility, an accomplished and valuable man can be found no-where.

我承认这里包含一种巨大的智慧,不是靠肤浅的思考或多读书就能得到;只能是一个人睁着眼在世上生活,与各种各样的人交往,获得对人的经验与观察的结果。所以我认为,最值得是利用一切机会把这灌输给年轻人,这样当他深入社会,他就不会像有人迷失在海上,既不知道航线,又没有指南针或航海图;他会得到预告,知道哪里有礁石与浅滩、急流与流沙,他也知道一点怎样驾驶,这样他在获得经验以前就不会沉入水中。那认为这对于他的儿子不如语言与学术性科学更值得多花时间、多需导师指导的,忘记了正确地判断人和明智地与人相处是怎样地更有用,它们比会说希腊语和拉丁语、或与人辩论得体有用得多,也比头脑中充满自然哲学与形而上学的深奥猜想有用得多;甚至比精通希腊与罗马的作家有用得多,虽然这种精通对一个绅士来说要好过做一个好的亚里士多德门徒或笛卡尔信徒:因为那些古代的作家对人类的观察与描述很深刻,最能揭示那种知识。人们到东亚去就会发现有才干而又为人认同的人,虽然没有任何这些知识:但是一个没有美德、不明世理、不懂礼仪,却有成就和有价值的人,是哪里都找不到的。

A great part of the learning now in fashion in the schools of Europe, and that goes ordinarily into the round of education, a gentleman may, in a good measure, be unfurnished with, without any great disparagement to himself, or prejudice to his affairs. But prudence and good-breeding are, in all the stations and occurrences of life, necessary; and most young men suffer in the want of them; and come rawer, and more awkward, into the world, than they should, for this very reason; because these qualities, which are, of all other, the most necessary to be taught, and stand most in need of the assistance and help of a teacher, are generally neglected, and thought but a slight, or no part of a tutor's business. Latin and learning make all the noise: and the main stress is laid upon his proficiency in things, a great part whereof belongs not to a gentleman's calling; which is to have the knowledge of a man of business, a carriage suitable to his rank, and to be eminent and useful in his country, according to his station. Whenever either spare hours from that, or an inclination to perfect himself in some parts of knowledge, which his tutor did but just enter him in, set him upon any study; the first rudiments of it, which he learned before, will open the way enough for his own industry to carry him as far as his fancy will prompt, or his parts enable him to go: or, if he thinks it may save his time and pains, to be helped over some difficulties by the hands of a master, he may then take a man that is perfectly well skilled in it, or choose such an one, as he thinks fittest for his purpose. But to initiate his pupil in any part of learning, as far as is necessary for a young man in the ordinary course of his studies, an ordinary skill in the governor is enough. Nor is it requisite that he should be a thorough scholar, or possess in perfection all those sciences, which it is convenient a young gentleman should have a taste of, in some general view, or short system. A gentleman, that would penetrate deeper, must do it by his own genius and industry afterwards; for nobody ever went far in knowledge, or became eminent in any of the sciences, by the discipline and constraint of a master.

现在欧洲学校中流行的学问以及平常的教育,一个绅士即使缺失其中的很大一部分,对他自己不会有任何重大的贬损,对他的事务也不会有损害。但是谨慎持重与良好的教养,在人生的一切阶段与事件中都是必需的;大多数年轻人为缺乏它们而吃苦;也正因为这个原因,当他们进入社会,他们比他们应该的程度显得更生涩、更别扭;因为这些品质,本来最应该得到导师的教导与帮助,却通常被忽视,认为是导师职责的很小一部分,抑或认为根本不是导师职责。大家所关注的全是拉丁语和学问:主要强调的是他对事情的娴熟,虽然那些事情的很大部分不属于一个绅士的使命;绅士的职责是具有干事业的人的知识,合乎他地位的举止,按照他的身分使自己成为一个杰出的和有益国家的人。无论何时他有空闲时间,或者愿意在导师指点他入门的知识方面使自己更完善,他可以决意学习任何东西;他从前学到基础知识,为他本身的勤勉开通足够的道路,使他尽量达到他的愿望或能力允许的地方;或许他想要借老师的帮助克服某些困难,以此节省时间与辛劳,那么他可以找一个对此非常精通的人,或者选一个他认为最符合他的目标的人。但是教给学生任何学问,若只要达到年轻人的普通学业所需的程度,导师只要有普通的才能就足够了。并不要求他是一个全能的学者,也不必完全掌握年轻人应该大概涉猎的那些科学。一个绅士要想进一步钻研,必须要靠他本身的天分和后天的努力;因为没有人能依靠老师的纪律管束来获取高深知识,或在任何科学上取得杰出成就。

The great work of a governor is to fashion the carriage, and form the mind; to settle in his pupil good habits, and the principles of virtue and wisdom; to give him, by little and little, a view of mankind; and work him into a love and imitation of what is excellent and praise-worthy; and, in the prosecution of it, to give him vigour, activity, and industry. The studies which he sets him upon, are but, as it were, the exercises of his faculties, and employment of his time, to keep him from sauntering and idleness, to teach him application, and accustom him to take pains, and to give him some little taste of what his own industry must perfect. For who expects, that under a tutor a young gentleman should be an accomplished critic, orator, or logician; go to the bottom of metaphysics, natural philosophy, or mathematics; or be a master in history or chronology? Though something of each of these is to be taught him; but it is only to open the door, that he may look in, and, as it were, begin an acquaintance, but not to dwell there: and a governor would be much blamed, that should keep his pupil too long, and lead him too far in most of them. But of good breeding, knowledge of the world, virtue, industry, and a love of reputation, he cannot have too much: and, if he have these, he will not long want what he needs or desires of the other.

导师的重大任务是改善举止和塑造心灵;使学生养成良好的习惯,以及美德与智慧的原则;逐渐告诉他对人性的见解;推动他热爱与仿效优秀的和为人称道的行为;在执行的过程中给他精力、行动与勤奋。他让学生用功的学业,只是为了锻炼他的能力,运用他的时间,免得他游手好闲或懒散,教他努力,让他习惯尽力苦干,并且让他尝试自身努力所能成就的。因为谁会期待一个年轻的绅士在导师的指导下成为一个有成就的批评家、演说家或逻辑学家;钻研到形而上学、自然哲学或数学的深处;或者成为历史或年代学的大师呢?尽管这些学问每样都应该教给他一点;但那只是引他入门,让他一窥门径,开始有一点认识,不是让他一直逗留在那里:而且导师如果让学生盘桓太久,引领他钻研太深,导师会因此大受责备。但是良好的教养,明了世理,美德,勤奋努力和爱惜名誉,他怎么都不会嫌多;而且如果他有了这些,他不再缺少他所需要的,他也不用渴求别的东西。

And, since it cannot be hoped he should have time and strength to learn all things, most pains should be taken about that which is most necessary; and that principally looked after, which will be of most and frequentest use to him in the world.

而且因为不可能期望他有时间与精力去学习所有的东西,所以最主要的精力应该用在最需要的事情上;他应该主要追求那些在世上对他最有用和最常用的东西。

Seneca complains of the contrary practice in his time; and yet the Burgersdiciuses and the Scheiblers did not swarm in those days, as they do now in these. What would he have thought, if he had lived now, when the tutors think it their great business to fill the studies and heads of their pupils with such authors as these? He would have had much more reason to say, as he does, ``Non vitæ, sed scholæ discimus;'' We learn not to live, but to dispute; and our education fits us rather for the university than the world. But it is no wonder, if those who make the fashion, suit it to what they have, and not to what their pupils want. The fashion being once established, who can think it strange, that in this, as well as in all other things, it should prevail; and that the greatest part of those, who find their account in an easy submission to it, should be ready to cry out heresy, when any one departs from it? It is nevertheless matter of astonishment, that men of quality and parts should suffer themselves to be so far misled by custom and implicit faith. Reason, if consulted with, would advise, that their children's time should be spent in acquiring what might be useful to them, when they come to be men, rather than to have their heads stuffed with a deal of trash, a great part whereof they usually never do (it is certain they never need to) think on again as long as they live; and so much of it, as does stick by them, they are only the worse for. This is so well known, that I appeal to parents themselves, who have been at cost to have their young heirs taught it, whether it be not ridiculous for their sons to have any tincture of that sort of learning, when they come abroad into the world; whether any appearance of it would not lessen and disgrace them in company. And that certainly must be an admirable acquisition, and deserves well to make a part in education, which men are ashamed of, where they are most concerned to show their parts and breeding.

塞内卡 (Seneca)曾经抱怨他的时代中相反的做法;而那时布格斯迪歇塞斯 (Burgersdiciuses)和席布勒 (Scheiblers)还不象现在到处都是。如果他活在现在,看到导师以为他们最大的任务给他们学生的头脑与学业中充斥着这样的作者,他不知会作何感想?他就更有理由说,我们学习不是为了生活,而是为了争辩 ("Non vitæ, sed scholæ discimus", 拉丁语"我们学习不是为了生活,而是为了争辩"。);我们的教育使我们更适合大学而不是社会。这也不奇怪,造成这种风气的人只是让它适合他们自己所有的,而不是适合学生所需要的。这种风气一旦形成,谁会奇怪它在这样和别的一切事上都占上风;而且其中绝大多数人因为他们自己轻易顺服这风气的缘故,当有人偏离它,莫不立刻鼓噪那是异端邪说?然而令人惊讶的是,那些有素养与才能的人会因为习惯和绝对信任而被如此误导。如果他们求教于理智,理智会建议他们孩子的时间应该花在获取那些他们长大成人后对他们有用的东西,而不是让他们的头脑充满垃圾,其中绝大部分他们通常一生再也不会想到 (他们当然再也不需要去想);而且如果他们还保留着这些东西,反而对他们更有害。这个道理是广为人知的,所以我提请那些花钱让他们的年轻继承人受此教育的父母注意,当他们的儿子进入社会,因为这种教育的熏陶是不是显得可笑;这样的表现是不是使他们受同伴轻视并失掉体面。而那肯定为人钦佩的学识,值得成为教育的一部分的,却是那些人们在最需表现他们的才能与教养的时候感到羞愧的。

There is yet another reason, why politeness of manners, and knowledge of the world, should principally be looked after in a tutor: and that is, because a man of parts and years may enter a lad far enough in any of those sciences, which he has no deep insight into himself. Books in these will be able to furnish him, and give him light and precedency enough to go before a young follower; but he will never be able to set another right in the knowledge of the world, and, above all, in breeding, who is a novice in them himself.

还有一个理由,就是为什么导师最重要的是要有优雅的举止和明了世理:那是因为一个有能力与经历的人,即使他自己对任一科学没有深刻的见解,他还是可以指导学生深入地学习。这方面的书籍就可以供应他,给他足够的指引与领先的地位去领导一个年轻的追随者;但是他自己对于世理与教养还是一个新手,那么他是决不能够使得别人明了世理并有教养的。

This is a knowledge he must have about him, worn into him by use and conversation, and a long forming himself by what he has observed to be practised and allowed in the best company. This, if he has it not of his own, is no-where to be borrowed, for the use of his pupil; or if he could find pertinent treatises of it in books, that would reach all the particulars of an English gentleman's behaviour; his own ill-fashioned example, if he be not well-bred himself, would spoil all his lectures; it being impossible, that any one should come forth well-fashioned out of unpolished, ill-bred company.

这种知识是他必须具备的,通过运用和交流逐渐吸收,并且观察最好的社交聚会中人们奉行与容许的礼仪,来长久地塑造自己。假如他自身没有这知识,那他也没有地方借鉴以供他的学生应用;即使他能从书中找到相关的论述,讨论一个英国绅士的行为的一切细节,但是如果他自己没有良好的教养,他本身的坏榜样会损坏他的教诲;一个人要从粗鲁的、没教养的伴侣中成长为有良好礼数的人,那是不可能的。

I say this, not that I think such a tutor is every day to be met with, or to be had at the ordinary rates: but that those, who are able, may not be sparing of inquiry or cost, in what is of so great moment; and that other parents, whose estates will not reach to greater salaries, may yet remember, what they should principally have an eye to, in the choice of one, to whom they would commit the education of their children; and what part they should chiefly look after themselves, whilst they are under their care, and as often as they come within their observation; and not think, that all lies in Latin and French, or some dry systems of logic and philosophy.

我这样说,并不表示我认为这样的导师天天都可遇到,或是用普通的价钱就能聘请到;而是说那些有能力的,在如此重大的关头,不要舍不得去寻访或舍不得花钱;那些不能支付高薪的父母,则应记住他们选择导师来教育小孩时,最应该看重的是什么;当小孩在他们的照料下,常在他们视线之内时,他们应该明白什么部分是自己应该当心的;而不只是认为,所有的一切在于拉丁语、法语以及一些枯燥的逻辑和哲学体系。

 

摘自Some Thoughts Concerning Education (English-Chinese Edition)(ISBN-10: 1537479857)

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