Francis Bacon - Of Discourse

Some, in their discourse, desire rather commendation of wit, in being able to hold all arguments, than of judgment, in discerning what is true; as if it were a praise, to know what might be said, and not, what should be thought. Some have certain common places, and themes, wherein they are good and want variety; which kind of poverty is for the most part tedious, and when it is once perceived, ridiculous. The honorablest part of talk, is to give the occasion; and again to moderate, and pass to somewhat else; for then a man leads the dance. It is good, in discourse and speech of conversation, to vary and intermingle speech of the present occasion, with arguments, tales with reasons, asking of questions, with telling of opinions, and jest with earnest: for it is a dull thing to tire, and, as we say now, to jade, any thing too far. As for jest, there be certain things, which ought to be privileged from it; namely, religion, matters of state, great persons, any man’s present business of importance, and any case that deserveth pity. Yet there be some, that think their wits have been asleep, except they dart out somewhat that is piquant, and to the quick. That is a vein which would be bridled:

Parce, puer, stimulis, et fortius utere loris.

谈辞令 

     某些人在言谈中更欣赏能自圆其说的趣言妙语，而不注重可辨明真伪的判断能力，仿佛值得赞赏的应该是知其言，而不应该是知其所思。某些人熟谙一些老生常谈，并善于就此高谈阔论而少有发挥，这种贫乏之辞多半都单调沉闷，而且一经察觉会显得荒唐可笑。善于辞令者德可贵之处只在于能提起话头、缓和话锋并转移话题，这种人可谓是交谈的指挥。言谈话语最好能有抑扬张弛，如在时事中加以论证，在铺叙中夹以推理，忽而提问忽而酬答，有时调侃有时认真，因为老用一种腔调平铺直叙会令人感到乏味，就如人们时下爱说的“简直没劲儿”。说到调侃，须注意有些事不可成为调侃的对象，如宗教、国务、伟人，以及任何人德当务之急和任务值得同情的病症；然而有些人以为言辞不刻薄就不足以显示其风趣，这是一种应加以制止的倾向，“小伙子哟，请少用鞭子，多拉缰绳。”

曹明伦 译

选自杨自伍的英国散文名篇欣赏