《论自由·第三章·个性·论幸福的要素之一》第15节
There is one characteristic of the present direction of public opinion, peculiarly calculated to make it intolerant of any marked demonstration of individuality. The general average of mankind are not only moderate in intellect, but also moderate in inclinations: they have no tastes or wishes strong enough to incline them to do anything unusual, and they consequently do not understand those who have, and class all such with the wild and intemperate whom they are accustomed to look down upon. Now, in addition to this fact which is general, we have only to suppose that a strong movement has set in towards the improvement of morals, and it is evident what we have to expect. In these days such a movement has set in; much has actually been effected in the way of increased regularity of conduct, and discouragement of excesses; and there is a philanthropic spirit abroad, for the exercise of which there is no more inviting field than the moral and prudential improvement of our fellow-creatures. These tendencies of the times cause the public to be more disposed than at most former periods to prescribe general rules of conduct, and endeavour to make every one conform to the approved standard. And that standard, express or tacit, is to desire nothing strongly. Its ideal of character is to be without any marked character; to maim by compression, like a Chinese lady's foot, every part of human nature which stands out prominently, and tends to make the person markedly dissimilar in outline to commonplace humanity.
注释摘要
这一段在密尔的整个论证链条里，处于一个从抽象辩护转向现实诊断的关键位置。前面他已经从几个不同的路径证明了，个性的自由发展既关乎个人幸福，也关乎社会进步。现在他要面对一个更具挑战性的问题：既然个性如此珍贵，为什么在当下的英国社会里，它反而遭到普遍的敌视和压制？他的回答是，这并非偶然，而是当代公众舆论的一个结构性特征。他要解释这种敌意的心理与社会根源，并揭示它…