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130. CHARACTER OF WASHINGTON
第130课 华盛顿的性格
The person of Washington was commanding, graceful, and fitly proportioned;
华盛顿其人威风凛凛、举止优雅，而且体态匀称。
his stature six feet, his chest broad and full, his limbs long and somewhat slender, but well-shaped and muscular.
他的身高达六英尺，胸部宽厚结实，四肢修长而纤细，但却强健有力。
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.
他五官端正而匀称，眼睛呈淡蓝色，在平静状态下他的表情既严肃又仁慈。
When alone, or not engaged in conversation, he appeared sedate and thoughtful;
当他独自一人或没有与人交谈的时候，他总是表现出镇定而若有所思的样子，
but when his attention was excited, his eye kindled quickly, and his face beamed with animation and intelligence.
但是，当他的注意力集中起来的时候，他的眼睛会快速闪烁，脸上会泛出活力与智慧的光彩。
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.
他并不是一个口齿伶俐的人，但是他说的话很中肯，而且更乐于发自内心地倾听别人。
He seldom attempted sallies of wit or humor, but no man received more pleasure from an exhibition of them by others;
他很少说那种俏皮幽默的话，不过，也没有人会从其他人说的俏皮幽默话中感受到更多的乐趣，
and, although contented in seclusion, he sought his chief happiness in society, and participated with delight in all its rational and innocent amusements.
尽管他喜欢离群索居，但是他会在社会上追寻他最重要的幸福，所以他会高兴地参加各种理性且无伤大雅的文娱活动。
Without austerity on the one hand, or an appearance of condescending familiarity on the other, he was affable, courteous, and cheerful;
他没有装出一副既严肃，又让人觉得亲近的姿态，他友善而谦恭，令人愉悦，
but it has often been remarked that there was a dignity in his person and manner not easy to be defined,
不过，人们总是能注意到，在他的人格和行为方式中，有一种无法明确解释的高贵，
which impressed everyone that saw him for the first time with an instinctive deference and awe.
这让第一次接触他的人都会留下一种无意识的尊重和敬畏的印象。
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.
人们之所以会形成这种印象，部分原因在于相信他的高贵，而不仅仅是由他的外貌和举止产生这样的影响。
The character of his mind was unfolded in the public and private acts of his life;
他的心智品质能够从他在公开和私下的生活行为中看出来，
and the proofs of his greatness are seen almost as much in the one as the other.
展现他伟大品质的证据几乎体现在各个方面。
The same qualities which raised him to the ascendency he possessed over the will of a nation,
这相同的品质把他推到了权力的巅峰，使得他拥有建立国家的强烈愿望，
as the commander of armies and chief magistrate, caused him to be loved and respected as an individual.
作为军队总指挥和各地方长官的首领，使得他作为一个个体受到人们的爱戴和尊敬。
Wisdom, judgment, prudence, and firmness were his predominant traits.
智慧、判断力、谨慎、坚强是他最主要的性格特质。
No man ever saw more clearly the relative importance of things and actions,
没人能更清楚地看到这些事情和行为的相对重要性，
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.
或者把所有的问题都上呈给他，在真实与虚假、对与错之间更坚决地放弃自己个人利益的偏见和偏袒。
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.
他处理事情会再三权衡，一旦做出判断绝对会当机立断，而且一旦他的决定形成，轻易不会改变，并且会认真履行，直至完成。
Courage, physical and moral, was a part of his nature;
勇气，无论是身体还是精神上的，都是他本性的一部分。
and, whether in battle, or in the midst of popular excitement, he was fearless of danger, and regardless of consequences to himself.
无论是在战场上，还是处于兴奋的人群之中，不管会给他带来什么后果，他对危险总是毫不畏惧。
His ambition was of that noble kind which aims to excel in whatever it undertakes,
他的雄心壮志就是超越自己承担的使命所赋予的崇高品质，
and to acquire a power over the hearts of men by promoting their happiness and winning their affections.
通过提升他们的幸福感和赢得他们的爱戴，以此来获得征服他们内心的力量。
Sensitive to the approbation of others, and solicitous to deserve it,
他对别人的赞许很敏感，渴望自己值得拥有这样的赞美，
he made no concessions to gain their applause, either by flattering their vanity or yielding to their caprices.
但是他绝不会采取让步妥协来赢得人们的掌声，既不会奉承他们的虚荣，也不会纵容他们的反复无常。
Cautious without timidity, bold without rashness, cool in counsel, deliberate but firm in action, clear in foresight,
他谨慎而不胆怯，勇敢而不鲁莽，考虑问题时冷静，采取行动时从容而雷厉风行，预测时头脑清晰，
patient under reverses, steady, persevering, and self-possessed, he met and conquered every obstacle that obstructed his path to honor, renown and success.
碰到挫折时有耐心、沉稳、坚韧不屈且镇定自若，他扫除了所有挡在通往荣誉、名望、成功道路上的障碍。
More confident in the uprightness of his intention than in his resources, he sought knowledge and advice from other men.
和他所追求目标的根源相比，他更相信自己所追求目标的正义，他会从别人那里寻求知识和建议。
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,
他会以超凡的判断力选择自己的顾问，对一个观点的可靠性和一场争论的重点具有敏锐的观察力，
enabled him to draw to his aid the best fruits of their talents, and the light of their collected wisdom.
使他能通过助手的智慧和他们汇集起来的才智获取最佳的结果。
