《论自由·第五章·应用》第1节
The principles asserted in these pages must be more generally admitted as the basis for discussion of details, before a consistent application of them to all the various departments of government and morals can be attempted with any prospect of advantage. The few observations I propose to make on questions of detail, are designed to illustrate the principles, rather than to follow them out to their consequences. I offer, not so much applications, as specimens of application; which may serve to bring into greater clearness the meaning and limits of the two maxims which together form the entire doctrine of this Essay, and to assist the judgment in holding the balance between them, in the cases where it appears doubtful which of them is applicable to the case. The maxims are, first, that the individual is not accountable to society for his actions, in so far as these concern the interests of no person but himself. Advice, instruction, persuasion, and avoidance by other people if thought necessary by them for their own good, are the only measures by which society can justifiably express its dislike or disapprobation of his conduct. Secondly, that for such actions as are prejudicial to the interests of others, the individual is accountable and may be subjected either to social or to legal punishments, if society is of opinion that the one or the other is requisite for its protection.
注释摘要
在《论自由》的整个论证链条里，第五章相当于全书的终点，但也带着一点预告的意思。密尔在前面四章分别建立了自由的原则、思想与讨论自由的必要性、个性对于个人与社会的价值，以及社会权威施加于个人的正当限度。现在他进入的是这一整套原则在具体事务上如何使用的环节。这一小段文字，是全章的导言，也是防止误解的关键说明。他要证明的是，两条最高准则本身虽然清晰，一旦落到政府和…