《乌合之众·第二编·群体的意见与信念·群体的领袖及其说服手段》第15节
[18] The influence of titles, decorations, and uniforms on crowds is to be traced in all countries, even in those in which the sentiment of personal independence is the most strongly developed. I quote in this connection a curious passage from a recent book of travel, on the prestige enjoyed in England by great persons. "I had observed, under various circumstances, the peculiar sort of intoxication produced in the most reasonable Englishmen by the contact or sight of an English peer. "Provided his fortune enables him to keep up his rank, he is sure of their affection in advance, and brought into contact with him they are so enchanted as to put up with anything at his hands. They may be seen to redden with pleasure at his approach, and if he speaks to them their suppressed joy increases their redness, and causes their eyes to gleam with unusual brilliance. Respect for nobility is in their blood, so to speak, as with Spaniards the love of dancing, with Germans that of music, and with Frenchmen the liking for revolutions. Their passion for horses and Shakespeare is less violent, the satisfaction and pride they derive from these sources a less integral part of their being. There is a considerable sale for books dealing with the peerage, and go where one will they are to be found, like the Bible, in all hands."
注释摘要
勒庞在这段文字里试图证明一个核心主张：头衔、勋章与制服这类外在符号，对群众具有一种近乎本能的支配力，哪怕在个人独立性最为发达的国家也不例外。他所引用的那本旅行书中的观察，写的是英国人见到贵族时那种不由自主的脸红、眼睛发亮与极度喜悦，甚至将此描述为一种“沉醉”状态。勒庞的论证逻辑是，这种尊崇并非理性选择，而是如同西班牙人热爱舞蹈、德国人热爱音乐一般，是“在血…