《论自由·第三章·个性·论幸福的要素之一》第16节
As is usually the case with ideals which exclude one-half of what is desirable, the present standard of approbation produces only an inferior imitation of the other half. Instead of great energies guided by vigorous reason, and strong feelings strongly controlled by a conscientious will, its result is weak feelings and weak energies, which therefore can be kept in outward conformity to rule without any strength either of will or of reason. Already energetic characters on any large scale are becoming merely traditional. There is now scarcely any outlet for energy in this country except business. The energy expended in that may still be regarded as considerable. What little is left from that employment, is expended on some hobby; which may be a useful, even a philanthropic hobby, but is always some one thing, and generally a thing of small dimensions. The greatness of England is now all collective: individually small, we only appear capable of anything great by our habit of combining; and with this our moral and religious philanthropists are perfectly contented. But it was men of another stamp than this that made England what it has been; and men of another stamp will be needed to prevent its decline.
注释摘要
这一段处于密尔整个个性论论证的深入展开阶段。他已经在前面确立了基本命题：在仅关乎自我的事务上，个人按自身倾向与判断去生活的自由，与思想自由基于同样的理由应该得到保障；个性的自由发展是福祉的首要因素之一。他还反驳了两种常见的对冲掉个性的辩护——一是习俗包含人类经验的结晶，二是个人的欲望与冲动是危险的源头。现在，他转向剖析他自己时代的一种更隐蔽、更具欺骗性的反…