(註)因為網路上找不到英文全文，因此只能翻譯前面幾段。

　　《Friendship》 Emerson  Translated by Yu-Ling

　　《論友誼》   愛默生     譯: 語鈴

　　 We have a great deal more kindness than is ever spoken. Maugre all the selfishness that chills like east winds the world, the whole human family is bathed with an element of love like a fine ether. How many persons we meet in houses, whom we scarcely speak to, whom yet we honor, and who honor us! How many we see in the street, or sit with in church, whom, though silently, we warmly rejoice to be with! Read the language of these wandering eye-beams. The heart knoweth.

　　我們所擁有的善意，遠比我們所表達出來的還多。儘管人類的自私自利如寒冷東風般有時使世界寒心，愛依然如晴空萬裏的天氣般使全人類享受其中。鄰裏間我們曾與多少人相遇，卻很少與他們交談，即使我們互相尊敬。有多少人是我們曾在街道上見過，或是在教堂毗鄰而坐，他們雖然安靜沉默，可我們多麼歡欣與他們在一起。讀讀這些流轉在眼神間所傳達的語言吧，可以心領神會的。

　　 The effect of the indulgence of this human affection is a certain cordial exhilaration. In poetry, and in common speech, the emotions of benevolence and complacency which are felt towards others are likened to the material effects of fire; so swift, or much more swift, more active, more cheering, are these fine inward irradiations. From the highest degree of passionate love, to the lowest degree of good-will, they make the sweetness of life.

　　這種人類感情使人沉醉其中，令人感到親切歡快。在詩和一般言談中，常將人們從他人身上感受到的善意和滿足比喻為火的力量。這些美好的內在光輝像火一般迅速燃燒，或者說，更迅速的燃燒，燃燒得更加炙烈，更使人歡欣鼓舞。從最熱烈的愛情到最微的善意，這些情感使生命溫馨甜美。

　　 Our intellectual and active powers increase with our affection. The scholar sits down to write, and all his years of meditation do not furnish him with one good thought or happy expression; but it is necessary to write a letter to a friend, — and, forthwith, troops of gentle thoughts invest themselves, on every hand, with chosen words. See, in any house where virtue and self-respect abide, the palpitation which the approach of a stranger causes. A commended stranger is expected and announced, and an uneasiness betwixt pleasure and pain invades all the hearts of a household. His arrival almost brings fear to the good hearts that would welcome him.

　　我們的智慧和活力隨著情感增長而增加。一位學者終生的冥思默想並不會讓他在坐下書寫時有好的靈感或是巧妙的文句，但當他需要寫信給朋友，就會立刻文思泉湧，精妙詞句信手拈來。看吧，對任何一個兼具美德和自愛的家庭來說，陌生人的來訪總是令人既心悸又不安。一位有好名聲的陌生人要來作客，喜悅和痛苦的不安情緒就佔據了全家人的心。陌生人的到來讓這些歡迎他的人心中擔心恐懼。

　　 The house is dusted, all things fly into their places, the old coat is exchanged for the new, and they must get up a dinner if they can. Of a commended stranger, only the good report is told by others, only the good and new is heard by us. He stands to us for humanity. He is what we wish. Having imagined and invested him, we ask how we should stand related in conversation and action with such a man, and are uneasy with fear.

　　家裡打掃得一塵不染，所有東西物歸其位，舊衣換新裝。如果可以，這家人還需要準備一頓美味晚餐招待。對於這位備受讚揚的陌生人，旁人口中說的都是他的好話，因此我們也只看到他美好新奇的一面。對我們來說，他就是美好人性的化身，他就是我們所希望成為的樣子。因為對他有如此美好的想像和美化，我們不禁要問，該如何與這樣的人相處呢？我們甚至因而擔心不安。

　　 The same idea exalts conversation with him. We talk better than we are wont. We have the nimblest fancy, a richer memory, and our dumb devil has taken leave for the time. For long hours we can continue a series of sincere, graceful, rich communications, drawn from the oldest, secretest experience, so that they who sit by, of our own kinsfolk and acquaintance, shall feel a lively surprise at our unusual powers.

　　這樣的想法使我們與他談話時更加高雅得體。與平常相比，我們的談吐更出色，思考更敏捷機智，記憶力更佳，彷彿我們心中那愚蠢、不擅言談的魔鬼暫時離開。我們可以長時間進行一連串誠摯、優雅、內容豐富的談話，內容包含最陳舊和最隱密的經驗，如此一來，坐在一旁的老友和家人才會驚訝於我們異常的表現。

　　 But as soon as the stranger begins to intrude his partialities, his definitions, his defects, into the conversation, it is all over. He has heard the first, the last and best he will ever hear from us. He is no stranger now. Vulgarity, ignorance, misapprehension are old acquaintances. Now, when he comes, he may get the order, the dress, and the dinner, — but the throbbing of the heart, and the communications of the soul, no more.

　　但一旦這位陌生人開始在對話中透露出偏見、個人想法和缺點，一切就都結束了。這會是他第一次，也是最後一次從我們口中聽見這些最美好的言談。他不再是陌生人了。老朋友都是表現粗俗、無知和充滿誤解的。若他再度來訪，也許仍會看到整齊有序的房子、嶄新的衣裝和豐盛的晚餐，但那悸動的心情和發自靈魂真心的交流，不再會有了。