新书--世界学术经典·英文版:论闲逸阶级(精装)

1. The occupations of the class are correspondingly diversified; but they have the common econimic characteristic of being non-industrial. These non-industrial upper-class occupations may be roughly comprised under government, warfare, religious obsevances, and sports. 2. Activity is, therefore, assimilated to human action, and active objects are in so far assimilated to the human agent. Phenomena of this character -- especially those whose behaviour is notably formidable or baffling-- have to be met in a different spirit and with proficiency of a different kind from what is required in dealing with inert things. To deal successfully with such phenomuna is a work of exploit rather than of industry. It is an assertion of prowess, not of dilligence. 3. Those members of the community who fall short of this, somewhat indefinite, normal degree of prowess or of property suffer in the esteem of their fellow-men; and consequently they suffer also in their own esteem, since the usual basis of self-respect is the respect of accorded by one's neighbours. Only individuals with an aberrant temperament can in the long run retain their self-esteem in the face of the disesteem of their fellows. Apparent exceptions to the rule are met with, especially among people with strong religious convictions. But these apparent exceptions are scarcely real exceptions, since such persons commonly fall back on the putative approbation of some supernatural witness of their deeds. 4. Refined tastes, mannners, habits of life are a useful evidence of gentility, because good breeding requires time, application and expense, and can therefore not be compassed by those whose time and energu are taken up with work. 5. So much of the honourable life of leisure as is not spent in the sight of spectators can seve the purposes of reputability only in so far as it leaves a tangible, visible result that can be put in evidence and can be measured and compared with products of the same class exhibited by competing aspirants of repute. Some such effect, in the way of leisurely manners and carriage, etc., follows from simple persistent abstention from work, even where the subject does not take thought of the matter and studiously acquire an aire of leisurely opulence and mastery. Especially does it seem to be true that a life of leisure in this way persisted in through several generations will leave a persistent, ascertainable effect in the conformation of the person, and still more in his habitual bearing and demeanour.