《论美国的民主·卷一·导论·身份平等是天意所定》第14节
I am aware that, notwithstanding my care, nothing will be easier than to criticise this book, if anyone ever chooses to criticise it. Those readers who may examine it closely will discover the fundamental idea which connects the several parts together. But the diversity of the subjects I have had to treat is exceedingly great, and it will not be difficult to oppose an isolated fact to the body of facts which I quote, or an isolated idea to the body of ideas I put forth. I hope to be read in the spirit which has guided my labors, and that my book may be judged by the general impression it leaves, as I have formed my own judgment not on any single reason, but upon the mass of evidence. It must not be forgotten that the author who wishes to be understood is obliged to push all his ideas to their utmost theoretical consequences, and often to the verge of what is false or impracticable; for if it be necessary sometimes to quit the rules of logic in active life, such is not the case in discourse, and a man finds that almost as many difficulties spring from inconsistency of language as usually arise from inconsistency of conduct. I conclude by pointing out myself what many readers will consider the principal defect of the work. This book is written to favor no particular views, and in composing it I have entertained no designs of serving or attacking any party; I have undertaken not to see differently, but to look further than parties, and whilst they are busied for the morrow I have turned my thoughts to the Future.
注释摘要
这一段的用意非常清楚：托克维尔在为自己铺设防守位置，同时也向读者交出他思考的真凭实据。这是导论末尾的方法论告白，也是他少有的、直白地把写作策略摊在桌面上的一处文字。他显然预料到这部书会招来猛烈的批评，因此先发制人，说明什么样的批评在他眼里并不公道，并进而解释了自己为什么会把话说到某种看似过头的程度。 他首先谈的是局部与整体的关系。他承认此书涉及的题材极度庞…