《道德情操论·卷六·论德性的品质·三·论自制》第29节
Men of merit considerably above the common level, sometimes underrate as well as over-rate themselves. Such characters, though not very dignified, are often, in private society, far from being disagreeable. His companions all feel themselves much at their ease in the society of a man so perfectly modest and unassuming. If those companions, however, have not both more discernment and more generosity than ordinary, though they may have some kindness for him, they have seldom much respect; and the warmth of their kindness is very seldom sufficient to compensate the coldness of their respect. Men of no more than ordinary discernment never rate any person higher than he appears to rate himself. He seems doubtful himself, they say, whether he is perfectly fit for such a situation or such an office; and immediately give the preference to some impudent blockhead who entertains no doubt about his own qualifications. Though they should have discernment, yet, if they want generosity, they never fail to take advantage of his simplicity, and to assume over him an impertinent superiority which they are by no means entitled to. His good nature may enable him to bear this for some time; but he grows weary at last, and frequently when it is too late, and when that rank, which he ought to have assumed, is lost irrecoverably, and usurped, in consequence of his own backwardness, by some of his more forward, though much less meritorious companions. A man of this character must have been very fortunate in the early choice of his companions, if, in going through the world, he meets always with fair justice, even from those whom, from his own past kindness, he might have some reason to consider as his best friends; and a youth, who may be too unassuming and too unambitious, is frequently followed by an insignificant, complaining, and discontented old age.
注释摘要
斯密在这一段里处理的是自我评价中的一种特殊困境：那些才能确实高于常人的人，有时不仅不夸大自己，反而低估自己。表面上看，这似乎是一种可爱的品质。与这样的人相处，同伴会感到轻松自在，因为他从不摆出高人一等的姿态。但斯密紧接着翻了一层：这种轻松感往往以尊重为代价。 这里的关键机制在于，普通旁观者并不具备穿透性的判断力。他们倾向于以一个人表现出来的自我评价为线索，…