A_Modest_Proposal中英文对照
AModestProposal原文
A Modest ProposalFor Preventing the Children of Poor People in Ireland, from Being a Burden on Their Parentsor Country, and for Making ThemBeneficial to the PublickBy Jonathan SwiftEdited and annotated by Jack LynchSwift was Irish, and though he much preferred living in England, he resented British policies toward the Irish. In a letter to Pope of 1729, he wrote, "Imagine a nation the two-thirds of whose revenues are spent out of it, and who are not permitted to trade with the other third, and where the pride of the women will not suffer [allow] them to wear their own manufactures even where they excel what come from abroad: This is the true state of Ireland in a very few words." His support for Irish causes has made him a renowned figure in modern Ireland. The paragraph numbers have been added for this edition.[1] It is a melancholly Object to those, who walk through this great Town, 1 or travel in the Country, when they see the Streets, the Roads, and Cabbin-Doors, crowded with Beggars of the female Sex, followed by three, four, or six Children, all in Rags, and importuning every Passenger for an Alms. These Mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelyhood, are forced to employ all their time in Stroling, to beg Sustenance for their helpless Infants, who, as they grow up either turn Thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native Country to fight for the Pretender in Spain, 2 or sell themselves to the Barbadoes. 3[2] I think it is agreed by all Parties, that this prodigious number of Children, in the Arms, or on the Backs, or at the heels of their Mothers, and frequently oftheir Fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the Kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these Children sound and useful Members of the common-wealth would deserve so well of the publick, as to have his Statue set up for a preserver of the Nation.[3]But my Intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the Children of professed beggars, it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of Infants at a certain Age, who are born of Parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our Charity in the Streets.[4]As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many Years, upon this important Subject, and maturely weighed the several Schemes of other Projectors, 4 I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true a Child, just dropt from it's Dam, 5 may be supported by her Milk, for a Solar year with little other Nourishment, at most not above the Value of two Shillings, which the Mother may certainly get, or the Value in Scraps, by her lawful Occupation of begging, and it is exactly at one year Old that I propose to provide for them, in such a manner, as, instead of being a Charge upon their Parents, or the Parish, 6 orwanting7 Food and Raiment for the rest of their Lives, they shall, on the Contrary, contribute to the Feeding and partly to the Cloathing of many Thousands.[5] There is likewise another great Advantage in my Scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary Abortions, and that horrid practice of Women murdering their Bastard Children, alas! too frequent among us, Sacrificing the poor innocent Babes, I doubt,8 more to avoid the Expence, than the Shame, which would move Tears and Pity in the most Savage and inhuman breast.[6] The number of Souls in this Kingdom being usually reckoned one Million and a half, Of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand Couple whose Wives are breeders, from which number I Substract thirty Thousand Couples, who are able to maintain their own Children, although I apprehend9 there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the Kingdom, but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand Breeders. I again Subtract fifty Thousandfor those Women who miscarry, or whose Children dye by accident, or disease within the Year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand Children of poor Parents annually born: The question therefore is, How this number shall be reared, and provided for, which, as I have already said, under the present Situation of Affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed, for we can neither employ them in Handicraft, or Agriculture; we neither build Houses, (I mean in the Country) nor cultivate Land:10 they can very seldom pick up a Livelyhood by Stealing until they arrive at six years Old, except where they are of towardly parts,11 although, I confess they learn the Rudiments much earlier; during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as Probationers, as I have been informed by a principal Gentleman in the County of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two Instances under the Age of six, even in a part of the Kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that Art.[7] I am assured by our Merchants, that a Boy or Girl, before twelve years Old, is no saleable Commodity, and even when they come to this Age, they will not yield above three Pounds, or three Pounds and half a Crown at most on the Exchange, which cannot turn to Account either to the Parents or the Kingdom, the Charge of Nutriments and Rags having been at least four times that Value.[8] I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be lyable to the least Objection.[9] I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy Child well Nursed is at a year Old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome Food, whether Stewed, Roasted, Baked, or Boyled, and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a Fricasie, or Ragoust.12[10] I do therefore humbly offer it to publick consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand Children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for Breed, whereof only one fourth part to be Males, which is more than we allow to Sheep, black Cattle, or Swine, and my reason is, that these Children are seldom the Fruits of Marriage, a Circumstance not much regarded by our Savages, therefore, one Male will be sufficient to serve four Females. That the remaining hundred thousand mayat a year Old be offered in Sale to the persons of Quality,13 and Fortune, through the Kingdom, always advising the Mother to let them Suck plentifully in the last Month, so as to render them Plump, and Fat for a good Table. A Child will make two Dishes at an Entertainment for Friends, and when the Family dines alone, the fore or hind Quarter will make a reasonable Dish, and seasoned with a little Pepper or Salt will be very good Boiled on the fourth Day, especially in Winter.[11] I have reckoned upon a Medium, that a Child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar Year if tollerably nursed encreaseth to 28 Pounds.[12] I grant this food will be somewhat dear,14 and therefore very proper for Landlords,15 who, as they have already devoured most of the Parents, seem to have the best Title to the Children.[13] Infant's flesh will be in Season throughout the Year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave Author16 an eminent French physitian, that Fish being a prolifick Dyet, there are more Children born in Roman Catholick Countries about nine Months after Lent, than at any other Season, therefore reckoning a Year after Lent, the Markets will be more glutted than usual, because the Number of Popish Infants, is at least three to one in this Kingdom, and therefore it will have one other Collateral advantage by lessening the Number of Papists among us.[14] I have already computed the Charge of nursing a Beggars Child (in which listI reckon all Cottagers, Labourers, and four fifths of the Farmers) to be about two Shillings per Annum, Rags included; and I believe no Gentleman would repine to give Ten Shillings for the Carcass of a good fat Child, which, as I have said will make four Dishes of excellent Nutritive Meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own Family to Dine with him. Thus the Squire will learn to be a good Landlord, and grow popular among his Tenants, the Mother will have Eight Shillings neat profit, and be fit for Work till she produceth another Child.[15] Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the Times require) may flay the Carcass; the Skin of which, Artificially17 dressed, will make admirable Gloves for Ladies, and Summer Boots for fine Gentlemen.[16] As to our City of Dublin, Shambles18 may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and Butchers we may be assured will not be wanting, although I rather recommend buying the Children alive, and dressing them hot from the Knife, as we do roasting Pigs.[17] A very worthy Person, a true Lover of his Country, and whose Virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my Scheme. He said, that many Gentlemen of this Kingdom, having of late destroyed their Deer, he conceived that the want of Venison might be well supplyed by the Bodies of young Lads and Maidens, not exceeding fourteen Years of Age, nor under twelve; so great a Number of both Sexes in every County being now ready to Starve, for want of Work and Service: And these to be disposed of by their Parents if alive, or otherwise by their nearest Relations. But with due deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a Patriot, I cannot be altogether in his Sentiments, for as to the Males, my American acquaintance assured me from frequent Experience, that their flesh was generally Tough and Lean, like that of our School-boys, by continual exercise, and their Taste disagreeable, and to Fatten them would not answer the Charge. Then as to the Females, it would, I think, with humble Submission, be a loss to the Publick, because they soon would become Breeders themselves: And besides it is not improbable that some scrupulous People might be apt to Censure such a Practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon Cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any Project, how well soever intended.[18] But in order to justify my friend, he confessed, that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Sallmanaazor,19 a Native of the Island Formosa, who came from thence to London, above twenty Years ago, and in Conversation told my friend, that in his Country when any young Person happened to be put to Death, the Executioner sold the Carcass to Persons of Quality, as a prime Dainty, and that, in his Time, the Body of a plump Girl of fifteen, who was crucifyed for an attempt to Poison theEmperor, was sold to his Imperial Majesty's prime Minister of State, and other great Mandarins20 of the Court, in Joints from the Gibbet,21 at four hundred Crowns. Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young Girls in this Town, who, without one single Groat22 to their Fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a Chair,23 and appear at a Play-House, and Assemblies in Foreign fineries, which they never will Pay for; the Kingdom would not be the worse.[19]Some Persons of a desponding Spirit are in great concern about that vast Number of poor People, who are aged, diseased, or maimed, and I have been desired to imploy my thoughts what Course may be taken, to ease the Nation of so grievous an Incumbrance. But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every Day dying, and rotting, by cold, and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected. And as to the younger Labourers they are now in almost as hopeful a Condition. They cannot get Work, and consequently pine away from want of Nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common Labour, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the Country and themselves are happily delivered from the Evils to come.[20] I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. I think the advantages by the Proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance.[21] For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the Number of Papists, with whom we are Yearly over-run, being the principal Breeders of the Nation, as well as our most dangerous Enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the Kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their Advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants,24 who have chosen rather to leave their Country, than stay at home, and pay Tythes against their Conscience, to an idolatrous Episcopal Curate.[22]Secondly, the poorer Tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by Law may be made lyable to Distress,25 and help to pay their Landlord's Rent, their Corn and Cattle being already seazed, and Money a thing unknown.[23]Thirdly, Whereas the Maintainance of an hundred thousand Children, from two Years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than Ten Shillings a piece per Annum, the Nation's Stock will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per Annum, besides the profit of a new Dish, introduced to the Tables of all Gentlemen of Fortune in the Kingdom, who have any refinement in Taste, and the Money will circulate among our selves, the Goods being entirely of our own Growth and Manufacture.[24]Fourthly, The constant Breeders, besides the gain of Eight Shillings Sterling per Annum, by the Sale of their Children, will be rid of the Charge of maintaining them after the first Year.[25]Fifthly, this food would likewise bring great Custom to Taverns, where the Vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts26 for dressing it to perfection, and consequently have their Houses frequented by all the fine Gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good Eating, and a skillful Cook, who understands how to oblige his Guests will contrive to make it as expensive as they please.[26]Sixthly, This would be a great Inducement to Marriage, which all wise Nations have either encouraged by Rewards, or enforced by Laws and Penalties. It would encrease the care and tenderness of Mothers towards their Children, when they were sure of a Settlement for Life, to the poor Babes, provided in some sort by the Publick to their Annual profit instead of Expence, we should soon see an honest Emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest Child to the Market, Men would become as fond of their Wives, during the Time of their Pregnancy, as they are now of their Mares in Foal, their Cows in Calf, or Sows when they are ready to Farrow, nor offer to Beat or Kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a Miscarriage.[27]Many other advantages might be enumerated: For Instance, the addition of some thousand Carcases in our exportation of Barreled Beef. The Propagation of Swines Flesh, and Improvement in the Art of making good Bacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of Pigs, too frequent at our Tables, which are no way comparable in Taste, or Magnificence to a well grown, fat Yearling Child, which Roasted wholewill make a considerable Figure at a Lord Mayor's Feast, or any other Publick Entertainment. But this, and many others I omit being studious of Brevity.[28]Supposing that one thousand Families in this City, would be constant Customers for Infants Flesh, besides others who might have it at Merry-meetings, particularly at Weddings and Christenings, I compute that Dublin would take off Annually about twenty thousand Carcases, and the rest of the Kingdom (where probably they will be Sold somewhat Cheaper) the remaining eighty thousand.[29] I can think of no one Objection, that will possibly be raised against this Proposal, unless it should be urged, that the Number of People will be thereby much lessened in the Kingdom. This I freely own,27 and it was indeed one Principal design in offering it to the World. I desire the Reader will observe, that I Calculate my Remedy for this one individual Kingdom of IRELAND, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients:28 Of taxing our Absentees at five Shillings a pound:29 Of using neither Cloaths, nor household Furniture, except what is of our own Growth and Manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the Materials and Instruments that promote Foreign Luxury: Of curing the Expenciveness of Pride, Vanity, Idleness, and Gaming in our Women: Of introducing a Vein of Parcimony, Prudence and Temperance: Of learning to Love our Country, wherein we differ even from LAPLANDERS, and the Inhabitants of TOPINAMBOO:30 Of quitting our Animosities, and Factions, nor Act any longer like the Jews, who were Murdering one another at the very moment their City was taken:31 Of being a little Cautious not to Sell our Country and Consciences for nothing: Of teaching Landlords to have at least one degree of Mercy towards their Tenants. Lastly of putting a Spirit of Honesty, Industry and Skill into our Shop-keepers, who, if a Resolution could now be taken to Buy only our Native Goods, would immediately unite to Cheat and Exact32 upon us in the Price, the Measure, and the Goodness, nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair Proposal of just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it.[30] Therefore I repeat, let no Man talk to me of these and the like Expedients, till he hath at least a Glimpse of Hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into Practice.[31] But as to my self, having been wearied out for many Years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of Success, I fortunately fell upon this Proposal, which as it is wholly new, so it hath something Solid and Real, of no Expence and little Trouble, full in our own Power, and whereby we can incur no Danger in disobliging England. For this kind of Commodity will not bear Exportation, the Flesh being of too tender a Consistance, to admit a long continuance in Salt, although perhaps I could name a Country, which would be glad to Eat up our whole Nation without it.33[32]After all I am not so violently bent upon my own Opinion, as to reject any Offer, proposed by wise Men, which shall be found equally Innocent, Cheap, Easy and Effectual. But before something of that kind shall be advanced in Contradiction to my Scheme, and offering a better, I desire the Author, or Authors will be pleased maturely to consider two points. First, As things now stand, how they will be able to find Food and Raiment for a hundred thousand useless Mouths and Backs. And Secondly, there being a round Million of Creatures in humane Figure, throughout this Kingdom, whose whole Subsistence put into a common Stock, would leave them in Debt two Millions of Pounds Sterling adding those, who are Beggars by Profession, to the Bulk of Farmers, Cottagers and Labourers with their Wives and Children, who are Beggars in Effect;I desire those Politicians, who dislike my Overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an Answer, that they will first ask the Parents of these Mortals, whether they would not at this Day think it a great Happiness to have been sold for Food at a year Old, in the manner I prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual Scene of Misfortunes, as they have since gone through, by the oppression of Landlords, the Impossibility of paying Rent without Money or Trade, the want of common Sustenance, with neither House nor Cloaths to cover them from Inclemencies of Weather, and the most inevitable Prospect of intailing the like, or greater Miseries upon their Breed for ever.[33]I Profess in the sincerity of my Heart that I have not the least personal Interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary Work having no other Motive than the publick Good of my Country, by advancing our Trade, providing for Infants, relieving the Poor, and giving some Pleasure to the Rich. I have no Children, by which I canpropose to get a single Penny; the youngest being nine Years old, and my Wife past Child-bearing.Notes1. Dublin.2. The Pretender was the descendant of King James II of the House of Stuart, expelled from Britain in 1689. James and his descendants were Catholic, so they took refuge in Catholic countries.3. Many poor Irish were forced to seek a living in the New World.4. Projector, "One who forms schemes or designs" (Johnson).5. Dam, "The mother: used of beasts, or other animals not human," or "A human mother: in contempt or detestation" (Johnson).6. Parishes were responsible for the support of those unable to work.7. Wanting, "lacking."8. Doubt, "suspect" or "imagine."9. Apprehend, "fear."10. Britain imposed strict regulations on Irish agriculture.11. Towardly parts, "ready abilities."12. Fricasee, "A dish made by cutting chickens or other small things in pieces, and dressing them with strong sauce" (Johnson); ragout, "Meat stewed and highly seasoned" (Johnson).13. Quality, "Rank; superiority of birth or station" (Johnson).14. Dear, "expensive."15. British landlords took much of the blame for Ireland's condition, and generally with good reason.16. Swift's note: "Rabelais."17. Artificially, "skillfully."18. Shambles, "meat markets."19. George Psalmanazar, an impostor who claimed to be from Formosa (modern Taiwan). His Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa (1704) described their religious practices: every year 18,000 young boys were sacrificed to the gods, and the parishioners ate their raw hearts.20. Mandarin, "A Chinese nobleman or magistrate" (Johnson).21. Gibbet, "A gallows; the post on which malefactors are hanged, or on which their carcases are exposed" (Johnson).22. A groat is worth four pence; proverbially, any small amount.23. Chair, "A vehicle born by men; a sedan" (Johnson).24. Dissenters or Nonconformists, whose principles Swift rejected.25. Distress, "arrest for debt."26. Receipts, "[From recipe.] Prescription of ingredients for any composition" (Johnson).27. Own, "admit."28. These "expedients" are serious proposals, several of which Swift advocated in his other publications.29. Five shillings a pound is a twenty-five percent tax.30. Topinamboo, a district in Brazil.31. Titus sacked the Second Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70.32. Exact, "impose."33. Swift is making a coy reference to England.。
A MODEST PROPOSAL(一个温和的建议)
A MODEST PROPOSALFor preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the publick.by Dr. Jonathan Swift1729It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabbin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in stroling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the publick, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation.But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professed beggars: it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age, who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our charity in the streets.As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years, upon this important subject, and maturely weighed the several schemes ofour projectors, I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true, a child just dropt from its dam, may be supported by her milk, for a solar year, with little other nourishment: at most not above the value of two shillings, which the mother may certainly get, or the value in scraps, by her lawful occupation ofbegging; and it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the cloathing of many thousands.There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice ofwomen murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expence than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast.The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couple whose wives are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couple, who are able to maintain their own children, (although I apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the kingdom) but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand, for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease within the year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born. The question therefore is, How this number shall be reared, and provided for? which, as I have already said, under the present situation of affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed. For we can neither employ them in handicraft or agriculture; we neither build houses, (I mean in the country) nor cultivate land: they can very seldom pick up a livelihood by stealing till they arrive at six years old; except where they are of towardly parts, although I confess they learn the rudiments much earlier; during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as probationers: As I have been informed by a principal gentleman in the county of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two instances under the age of six, even in a part of the kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that art.I am assured by our merchants, that a boy or a girl before twelve years old, is no saleable commodity, and even when they come to this age, they will not yield above three pounds, or three pounds and half a crownat most, on the exchange; which cannot turn to account either to the parents or kingdom, the charge of nutriments and rags having been at least four times that value.I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope willnot be liable to the least objection.I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.I do therefore humbly offer it to publick consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle, or swine, and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore, one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.I have reckoned upon a medium, that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nursed, encreaseth to 28 pounds.I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolifick dyet, there are more children born in Roman Catholick countries about nine months after Lent, the markets will be more glutted than usual, because the number of Popish infants, is at least three to one in this kingdom, and therefore it will have one other collateral advantage, by less ening the number of Papists among us.I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a goodfat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or hisown family to dine with him. Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord, and grow popular among his tenants, the mother will have eight shillings neat profit, and be fit for work till she produces another child.Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flea the carcass; the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.As to our City of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and butchers we may be assured will not be wanting; although I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs.A very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supply'd by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so great a number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and service: And these to be disposed of by their parents if alive, or otherwise by their nearest relations. But with due deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a patriot, I cannot be altogether in his sentiments; for as to the males, my American acquaintance assured me from frequent experience, that their flesh was generally tough and lean, like that of our school-boys, by continual exercise, and their taste disagreeable, and to fatten them would not answer the charge. Then as to the females, it would, I think, with humble submission, be a loss to the publick, because they soon would become breeders themselves: And besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, how well soever intended.But in order to justify my friend, he confessed, that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Salmanaazor, a native of the island Formosa, who came from thence to London, above twenty years ago, and in conversation told my friend, that in his country, when any young person happened to be put to death, the executioner sold the carcass to persons of quality, as a prime dainty; and that, in his time, the body of aplump girl of fifteen, who was crucified for an attempt to poison the Emperor, was sold to his imperial majesty's prime minister of state, and other great mandarins of the court in joints from the gibbet, at four hundred crowns. Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young girls in this town, who without one single groat to their fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a chair, and appear at a play-house and assemblies in foreign fineries which they never will pay for; the kingdom would not be the worse.Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed; and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an incumbrance. But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every day dying, and rotting, by cold and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected. And as to the young labourers, theyare now in almost as hopeful a condition. They cannot get work, and consequently pine away from want of nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common labour, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the country and themselves are happily delivered from the evils to come.I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance.For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the number of Papists, with whom we are yearly over-run, being the principal breeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants, who have chosen rather to leave their country, than stay at home and pay tithes against their conscience to an episcopal curate.Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord's rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money athing unknown.Thirdly, Whereas the maintainance of an hundred thousand children, from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less thanten shillings a piece per annum, the nation's stock will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of anew dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulate among our selves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.Fourthly, The constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year.Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns,where the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts for dressing it to perfection; and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good eating; and a skilful cook, who understands how to oblige his guests, will contrive to make it as expensive as they please.Sixthly, This would be a great inducement to marriage, which all wise nations have either encouraged by rewards, or enforced by laws and penalties. It would encrease the care and tenderness of mothers towards their children, when they were sure of a settlement for life to the poor babes, provided in some sort by the publick, to their annual profit instead of expence. We should soon see an honest emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest child to the market. Men would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf, or sow when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage.Many other advantages might be enumerated. For instance, the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barrel'd beef: the propagation of swine's flesh, and improvement in the art of making good bacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs,too frequent at our tables; which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well grown, fat yearly child, which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a Lord Mayor's feast, or any other publick entertainment. But this, and many others, I omit, being studious of brevity.Supposing that one thousand families in this city, would be constant customers for infants flesh, besides others who might have it at merry meetings, particularly at weddings and christenings, I compute that Dublin would take off annually about twenty thousand carcasses; and the rest of the kingdom (where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper)the remaining eighty thousand.I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom. This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individu al Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloaths, nor houshold furniture, except what is of ourown growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: Of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity, idleness, and gaming in our women: Of introducing a vein of parsimony, prudence and temperance: Of learning to love our country, wherein we differ even from Laplanders, and the inhabitants of Topinamboo: Of quitting our animosities and factions, nor acting any longer like the Jews, who were murdering one another at the very moment their city was taken: Of being a little cautious not to sell our country and consciences for nothing: Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shop-keepers, who, if a resolution could now be taken to buy only our native goods, would immediately unite to cheat and exact upon us in the price, the measure, and the goodness, nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it.Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, 'till he hath at least some glympse of hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice.But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no dangerin disobliging England. For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and flesh being of too tender a consistence, to admit a long continuance in salt, although perhaps I could name a country, which would be glad to eat up our whole nation without it.After all, I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual. But before something of that kind shall beadvanced in contradiction to my scheme, and offering a better, I desire the author or authors will be pleased maturely to consider two points. First, As things now stand, how they will be able to find food and raiment for a hundred thousand useless mouths and backs. And secondly, There being a round million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence put into a common stock, would leave them in debt two million of pounds sterling, adding thos e who are beggars by profession, to the bulk of farmers, cottagers and labourers, with their wives and children, who are beggars in effect; I desire those politicians who dislike my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old, in the manner I prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes, as they have since gone through, by the oppression of landlords, the impossibility of paying rent without money or trade, the want of common sustenance, with neither house nor cloaths to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather, and the most inevitable prospect of intailing the like, or greater miseries, upon their breed for ever.I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancingour trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing.。
a modest proposal的译文
《一个简明的建议》的译文1. 引言在人类文明历史长河中，许多作品因其独特的情感和观点而被后人传颂。
在这些作品中，《一个简明的建议》无疑是一部不可忽视的佳作。
这部作品以幽默的笔调，探讨了社会问题和人性的深层次思考，值得我们深入挖掘和研究。
本文将从深度和广度的角度对《一个简明的建议》进行全面评估，并据此撰写一篇有价值的文章，以便更深入地理解这一重要的作品。
2. 对于《一个简明的建议》的深度评估我们需要从作品的情境和背景出发，深入探讨作者的用意和观点。
在《一个简明的建议》中，作者以讽刺的手法，提出了对解决贫困问题的“简单”建议，即让穷人的孩子作为食物供应。
这种具有特殊讽刺性的观点，引发了对社会道德和伦理的反思。
通过对现实社会问题的夸张描述，作者反讽了当时社会的无动于衷和冷漠态度，以引起人们对社会问题的关注和反思。
我们需要深入挖掘作者在作品中所展现的对社会现象和人性的洞察和批判。
作者通过虚构的“简明建议”，对当时社会中存在的对穷人的不公正待遇以及社会精英对贫困问题的麻木态度进行犀利的抨击。
在深度评估中，我们需要对作者的表现手法和文学技巧进行深入分析，以把握作者的观点和立场。
在对《一个简明的建议》的深度评估中，我们需要探讨作品在当今社会的现实意义和启示。
尽管作品所处的时代背景和社会环境与当今已发生了巨大变化，但作品所探讨的对社会道德和伦理的反思，对社会问题的关注和批判，以及对人类本性和社会现象的深刻洞察，仍然具有深远的现实意义。
本文将从这些方面，对作品的深度思考进行全面分析。
3. 对于《一个简明的建议》的广度评估除了对作品的深度进行评估外，我们还需要对作品的广度进行全面的评估和探讨。
在广度评估中，我们将全面展现作品的社会背景和时代特征以及作者的文学成就和影响。
我们需要对作品所处的历史和社会背景进行全面介绍和分析。
《一个简明的建议》问世于18世纪的英国，当时英国社会存在着严重的阶级分化和社会不平等现象。
作者所展现的贫穷和饥饿问题，正是当时社会的一大现实困境。
A_Modest_Proposal中英文对照
It is a melancholy Object to those, who walk through this great Town, or travel in the Country, when they see the Streets, the Roads, and Cabin-Doors, crowded with Beggars of the female Sex, followed by three, four, or six Children, all in Rags, and importuning every Passenger for an Alms.对于走过这座大城市，或在乡间旅行的人，他们看到的这些景象真是悲凉：街上、马路上、茅屋内挤满了女乞丐，后面跟着三个、四个或六个衣衫褴褛的孩子，向每个路人强要施舍。
These Mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in Strolling, to beg Sustenance for their helpless Infants, who, as they grow up either turn Thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native Country to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.这些母亲无法靠诚实劳动谋生，被迫终日游荡去养活那些无助的孩子，这些孩子长大后要么因找不到工作而沦为小偷，要么背井离乡去为西班牙那个觊觎王位者卖命，也许还会卖身到巴巴多斯。
I think it is agreed by all Parties, that this prodigious number of Children, in the Arms, or on the Backs, or at the heels of their Mothers, and frequently of their Fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the Kingdom a very great additional grievance; 我想所有的党派人士（各方面）都会同意，这些母亲（有时常常是父亲）怀中抱着、背上背着以及身后跟着的数量如此多的孩子，在王国可悲的现状下，将是一个平添民怨的灾难。
AModestProposal.doc
A Modest ProposalBackground：爱尔兰是一个西欧国家，西临大西洋东靠爱尔兰海，与英国隔海相望，爱尔兰为北美通向欧洲的通道。
爱尔兰人属于凯尔特人，是欧洲大陆第一代居民的子嗣。
它有5000多年历史，是一个有着悠久历史的国家。
这里非常美丽迷人。
尽管爱尔兰也有自己的语言——盖尔语(Gaeilge)，但它却是欧洲除英国之外唯一一个英语国家。
爱尔兰共和国于1922年从英国殖民统治下独立出来，是个和平宁静的国家。
爱尔兰北部被称为北爱尔兰，至今仍属于英国。
因此，爱尔兰共和国与电视新闻中经常出现的暴力冲突频频的北爱尔兰是有所不同的。
这篇文章是模仿着当时的一些献策者的口气写的，说得娓娓动听，为了表示确有根据还提出了一些数字，并且一再声明只是为国家民族着想，别无企图，而所建议的内容则是吃婴儿的肉，文明的外衣裹的竟是这样无比残酷的建议，作者采用了这样一种骇世惊俗的写法，是为了反证爱尔兰地主和他们的英国主子们是真正的食人兽，而且他几次点明了这点：“更合地主们享用。
他们既已吞食了儿童的父母，当然也最有资格饱餐这些儿童”，“给有钱人一点乐趣”，等等，而且还提出“不会得罪英格兰”，但立刻就补上一句：“不过我也可以说出一个国家的名字，它是可以不加盐就把我们整个民族吃掉的”。
好象是作者行文至此，义愤填膺，忍不住摔掉模仿的假面，跳出来说几句真心话了!这种虚虚实实，真真假假的写法是为了揭露和讽刺，实际上也是最有力的谴责。
附带地，他也给了那些不断向统治阶层献策的“政治算学家”们狠狠的一鞭。
摘要：18世纪英国最杰出的政论家和讽刺小说家斯威夫特以他高度艺术性的讽刺嘲并文笔，简洁生动的语言，朴实清新的风格赢得了他在英国文坛上的声望。
《一个小小的建议》是其最著名的政治性散文，是英国文学史上讽刺作品的典范。
极尽反讽之能事，就爱尔兰人口过剩问题，向英国女王建议.. “温和的”解决方法。
文章意在通过对该名篇的诠释和分析来探讨斯威夫特突出的反讽艺术和令人流泪的荒诞。
A Modest Proposal 一个小小的建议
着手
The Modest Proposal begins by using vivid imagery意象 to describe the very real poverty of people in Ireland. Swift presents this quite sympathetically but sets out facts and details, showing that there is a “surplus过剩的” of children who cannot be fed. With a masterful熟练的use of rhetorical修辞的(persuasive有 说服力的) devices, Swift, through the use of a persona人物 角色；伪装的外表/speaker, then: a. suggests solutions for the problem b. describes how the solution will benefit society c. addresses opposing points of view d. explains why his solution is the best.
The ruling class were usually Protestants新教徒 Many of them were not born in Ireland, nor did they live there permanently If the laborers lost their work, there would always be other poor people to take it up There was no social security system and starvation was as common as in the Third World today Swift knows, in writing the Proposal, that in living memory, Irish people had been driven to cannibalism嗜食同类
A-Modest-Proposal中英文对照
[1］It is a melancholy Object to those，who walk through this great Town, 1 or travel in the Country，when they see the Streets，the Roads，and Cabin-Doors，crowded with Beggars of the female Sex，followed by three，four, or six Children，all in Rags，and importuning every Passenger for an Alms。
对于走过这座大城市，或在乡间旅行的人，他们看到的这些景象真是悲凉：街上、马路上、茅屋内挤满了女乞丐，后面跟着三个、四个或六个衣衫褴褛的孩子，向每个路人强要施舍。
These Mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood，are forced to employ all their time in Strolling，to beg Sustenance for their helpless Infants，who，as they grow up either turn Thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native Country to fight for the Pretender in Spain， 2 or sell themselves to the Barbadoes。
这些母亲无法靠诚实劳动谋生，被迫终日游荡去养活那些无助的孩子，这些孩子长大后要么因找不到工作而沦为小偷，要么背井离乡去为西班牙那个觊觎王位者卖命,也许还会卖身到巴巴多斯。
[2] I think it is agreed by all Parties, that this prodigious number of Children, in the Arms，or on the Backs, or at the heels of their Mothers，and frequently of their Fathers，is in the present deplorable state of the Kingdom a very great additional grievance; 我想所有的党派人士(各方面）都会同意,这些母亲（有时常常是父亲)怀中抱着、背上背着以及身后跟着的数量如此多的孩子，在王国可悲的现状下，将是一个平添民怨的灾难。
a modest proposal
一个温和的建议摘要：面对当时爱尔兰的贫困境地，人民生活在水深火热之中，相当多的家庭都负担不起将小孩抚养长大的义务，基于这一点，作者提出了一条温和的建议，那就是将儿童肥养，当他们长到刚好一岁的时候把他们卖给富人作为美味佳肴享用，皮可加工为手套、皮鞋，其他器官也相应可以找到自己的销路。
这样不仅使小孩可以摆脱将要面对的人生贫困和悲惨的命运，对他们的父母们来说也是一种解脱。
正文：这篇文章是英国启蒙运动中激进民主派的创始人乔纳森·斯威夫特最具有代表性的讽刺作品之一。
斯威夫特是英国十八世纪著名的政论家、讽刺小说家。
他很早就开始涉足政治时事，因此养成了分析事物的才能和敏锐的观察力，这为他今后成为一名杰出的讽刺作家做好了准备。
《一个温和的建议》是斯威夫特晚期的作品，当时爱尔兰沦为英国所统治，人民饱受统治者的剥削与压迫，生活痛苦不堪，甚至连家里的小孩也没办法抚养长大，斯威夫特用“反语法”提出了一个“公平、全家而可行的建议”，指出爱尔兰人民已经贫困到什么地步，对残酷剥削爱尔兰人民的英国统治者提出了有力的控诉。
16世纪爱尔兰沦为英格兰的附属国，到18世纪时，尽管爱尔兰有它自己的国会，但仍处于英格兰的严密控制之下，爱尔兰人民深受英格兰商人和爱尔兰大地主的双重剥削和压迫。
在斯威夫特写此文之际，情形更加恶化。
到1729年时，爱尔兰已经连续三年遭受自然灾害，民不聊生，乞丐成群，国家和民族处在危难之中。
然而就在这大灾三年、饥民遍野的时候，统治阶级的谋臣策士却还在穷苦人民的身上打主意，提出了各种旨在加深他们灾难的建议。
这些人就是斯威夫特文章中所着重讽刺的“献策者”。
斯威夫特在此文里仿效了这些献策者的口吻，也像他们那样口口声声救国救民，加入到提建议者之列。
在文章的开头作者便展示给我们一副非常惨淡的景象：街上、马路上、茅屋里到处挤满了女乞丐，在她们后面还跟着一大群孩子，想来往的行人强要施舍，因为单凭她们双手的劳动已经无法满足这一家人的生活需求。
A Modest Proposal 一个小小的建议
andhelptochangeitmaxernst18991972theageofreasontheageofreason1660理性时代指理性时代指17171818世纪末欧洲启蒙主义哲学盛行以理性和常识占优势为特征的时期世纪末欧洲启蒙主义哲学盛行以理性和常识占优势为特征的时期166017801780??swiftwrotehissatiresduringtheageofreasonswiftwrotehissatiresduringtheageofreasonineuropeinthelate17ththtoendofthe18therewasageneralintellectualandliterarymovementtherewasageneralintellectualandliterarymovementknownastheknownastheenlightenmentenlightenment启蒙运动themovementischaracterizedbyrationalismphilosophythatemphasizedtheroleofreasonratherphilosophythatemphasizedtheroleofreasonratherthansensoryexperienceorfaithinansweringbasicthansensoryexperienceorfaithinansweringbasicquestionsofhumanexistencequestionsofhumanexistenceconcernregardinghumanexistenceledtoaneedtoaddresssocialproblemsaneedtoaddresssocialproblemsthismovementissometimesknownastheneoclassicalageneoclassicalage古典新世纪古典新世纪
AMODESTPROPOSAL（一个温和的建议）
A MODEST PROPOSALFor preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the publick.by Dr. Jonathan Swift1729It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabbin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three,four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger foran alms. These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in stroling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants who, as they grow up, either turnthieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to fightfor the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers,and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state ofthe kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well ofthe publick, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation.But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for thechildren of professed beggars: it is of a much greater extent, and shalltake in the whole number of infants at a certain age, who are born ofparents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our charity in the streets.As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years, upon thisimportant subject, and maturely weighed the several schemes ofour projectors, I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true, a child just dropt from its dam, may be supported by her milk, for a solar year, with little other nourishment:at most not above the value of two shillings, which the mother may certainly get, or the value in scraps, by her lawful occupation of begging; and it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide forthem in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents,or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives,they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the cloathing of many thousands.There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice ofwomen murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expencethan the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage andinhuman breast.The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one millionand a half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousandcouple whose wives are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couple, who are able to maintain their own children, (althoughI apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the kingdom) but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand, for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease withinthe year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand children ofpoor parents annually born. The question therefore is, How this numbershall be reared, and provided for? which, as I have already said, underthe present situation of affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed. For we can neither employ them in handicraftor agriculture; we neither build houses, (I mean in the country) nor cultivate land: they can very seldom pick up a livelihood by stealing till they arrive at six years old; except where they are of towardly parts, although I confess they learn the rudiments much earlier;during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as probationers: As I have been informed by a principal gentleman in the county of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two instances under the age of six, even in a part of the kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that art.I am assured by our merchants, that a boy or a girl before twelve yearsold, is no saleable commodity, and even when they come to this age, theywill not yield above three pounds, or three pounds and half a crownat most, on the exchange; which cannot turn to account either to the parents or kingdom, the charge of nutriments and rags having been at least four times that value.I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope willnot be liable to the least objection.I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.I do therefore humbly offer it to publick consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousandmay be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle, or swine, and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore, one male willbe sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousandmay, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fatfor a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment forfriends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter willmake a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, willbe very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.I have reckoned upon a medium, that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nursed, encreaseth to 28 pounds.I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper forlandlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seemto have the best title to the children.Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentifulin March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolifick dyet, there are more children born in Roman Catholick countries about nine months after Lent, the markets will be more glutted than usual, becausethe number of Popish infants, is at least three to one in this kingdom,and therefore it will have one other collateral advantage, by lesseningthe number of Papists among us.I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in whichlist I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers)to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a goodfat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or hisown family to dine with him. Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord, and grow popular among his tenants, the mother will have eightshillings neat profit, and be fit for work till she produces another child.Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flea the carcass; the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.As to our City of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose, inthe most convenient parts of it, and butchers we may be assured will notbe wanting; although I rather recommend buying the children alive, anddressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs.A very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtuesI highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, tooffer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that many gentlemen of thiskingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supply'd by the bodies of young lads andmaidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so greata number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and service: And these to be disposed of by their parentsif alive, or otherwise by their nearest relations. But with due deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a patriot, I cannot be altogether in his sentiments; for as to the males, my Americanacquaintance assured me from frequent experience, that their flesh wasgenerally tough and lean, like that of our school-boys, by continual exercise, and their taste disagreeable, and to fatten them would not answer the charge. Then as to the females, it would, I think, with humble submission, be a loss to the publick, because they soon would become breeders themselves: And besides, it is not improbable thatsomescrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, how well soever intended.But in order to justify my friend, he confessed, that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Salmanaazor, a native of the islandFormosa, who came from thence to London, above twenty years ago, and inconversation told my friend, that in his country, when any young personhappened to be put to death, the executioner sold the carcass to personsof quality, as a prime dainty; and that, in his time, the body of a plump girl of fifteen, who was crucified for an attempt to poison the Emperor, was sold to his imperial majesty's prime minister of state, andother great mandarins of the court in joints from the gibbet, at four hundred crowns. Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young girls in this town, who without one singlegroat to their fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a chair, and appearat a play-house and assemblies in foreign fineries which they never willpay for; the kingdom would not be the worse.Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vastnumber of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed; and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an incumbrance. But I am not in the least painupon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every daydying, and rotting, by cold and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fastas can be reasonably expected. And as to the young labourers, theyare now in almost as hopeful a condition. They cannot get work, and consequently pine away from want of nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common labour, they have notstrength to perform it, and thus the country and themselves are happilydelivered from the evils to come.I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. Ithink the advantages by the proposal which I have made are obvious andmany, as well as of the highest importance.For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the number of Papists, with whom we are yearly over-run, being the principalbreeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies, and whostay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their advantage by the absence of so many goodProtestants, who have chosen rather to leave their country, than stay athome and pay tithes against their conscience to an episcopal curate.Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own,which by law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord's rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money athing unknown.Thirdly, Whereas the maintainance of an hundred thousand children, from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less thanten shillings a piece per annum, the nation's stock will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of anew dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulateamong our selves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.Fourthly, The constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year.Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns,where the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the bestreceipts for dressing it to perfection; and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentlemen, who justly value themselvesupon their knowledge in good eating; and a skilful cook, who understandshow to oblige his guests, will contrive to make it as expensive as theyplease.Sixthly, This would be a great inducement to marriage, which all wise nations have either encouraged by rewards, or enforced by laws and penalties. It would encrease the care and tenderness of mothers towardstheir children, when they were sure of a settlement for life to the poor babes, provided in some sort by the publick, to their annual profitinstead of expence. We should soon see an honest emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest child to the market. Men would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows incalf, or sow when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage.Many other advantages might be enumerated. For instance, the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barrel'd beef: the propagation of swine's flesh, and improvement in the art of making goodbacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs,too frequent at our tables; which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well grown, fat yearly child, which roasted whole willmake a considerable figure at a Lord Mayor's feast, or any other publickentertainment. But this, and many others, I omit, being studious of brevity.Supposing that one thousand families in this city, would be constant customers for infants flesh, besides others who might have it at merrymeetings, particularly at weddings and christenings, I compute that Dublin would take off annually about twenty thousand carcasses; andtherest of the kingdom (where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper)the remaining eighty thousand.I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that the number of people willbe thereby much lessened in the kingdom. This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individualKingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of usingneither cloaths, nor houshold furniture, except what is of ourown growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: Of curing the expensiveness ofpride, vanity, idleness, and gaming in our women: Of introducing a veinof parsimony, prudence and temperance: Of learning to love our country, wherein we differ even from Laplanders, and the inhabitantsof Topinamboo: Of quitting our animosities and factions, nor acting anylonger like the Jews, who were murdering one another at the very momenttheir city was taken: Of being a little cautious not to sell our countryand consciences for nothing: Of teaching landlords to have at least onedegree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shop-keepers, who, if a resolutioncould now be taken to buy only our native goods, would immediately uniteto cheat and exact upon us in the price, the measure, and the goodness,nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing,though often and earnestly invited to it.Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the likeexpedients, 'till he hath at least some glympse of hope, that there willever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice.But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with offeringvain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is whollynew, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no dangerin disobliging England. For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and flesh being of too tender a consistence, to admit a long continuance in salt, although perhaps I could name a country, whichwould be glad to eat up our whole nation without it.After all, I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to rejectany offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent,cheap, easy, and effectual. But before something of that kind shall beadvanced in contradiction to my scheme, and offering a better, I desirethe author or authors will be pleased maturely to consider two points. First, As things now stand, how they will be able to find food and raiment for a hundred thousand useless mouths and backs. And secondly, There being a round million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence put into a common stock, would leave them in debt two million of pounds sterling, adding those who arebeggars by profession, to the bulk of farmers, cottagers and labourers,with their wives and children, who are beggars in effect; I desire those politicians who dislike my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day think it a great happinessto have been sold for food at a year old, in the manner I prescribe, andthereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes, as they havesince gone through, by the oppression of landlords, the impossibilityofpaying rent without money or trade, the want of common sustenance, withneither house nor cloaths to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather, and the most inevitable prospect of intailing the like, or greater miseries, upon their breed for ever.I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, havingno other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancingour trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which I can propose toget a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife pastchild-bearing.。
a modest proposal译文
题目：《一个荒谬的建议》译文1. 引言在这个伟大的时代，我们不仅需要思考和解决世界上的各种问题，更需要以开放的心态去深入研究并探索各种看似不切实际的建议。
乔纳森·斯威夫特的《一个荒谬的建议》就是一个经典的例子。
这篇小说不仅在文学上具有重要意义，同时也探讨了当时社会的各种问题，具有深刻的思考意义。
本文将为读者带来《一个荒谬的建议》的中文译文，以期引发更多人对这一经典文学作品的深入思考。
2. 《一个荒谬的建议》的中文译文《一个荒谬的建议》是爱尔兰作家乔纳森·斯威夫特于1729年匿名发表的一篇政治讽刺小品。
这篇作品以一种荒诞、夸张的形式，探讨了英国对爱尔兰的殖民统治，以及当时社会贫困和饥荒等问题。
在这篇文章中，斯威夫特提出了一种令人发指的“解决”方法，即让爱尔兰的穷人通过吃掉自己的婴儿来解决饥荒问题。
这种建议不仅具有极强的讽刺意味，更是对当时政府和统治阶层的无情嘲讽。
3. 深度解读《一个荒谬的建议》从表面上看似乎是一篇纯粹的讽刺文学作品，然而在深度解读之后，我们会发现其中蕴含着对当时社会问题的深刻揭露。
斯威夫特通过这一荒谬的建议，实际上是在讽刺当时政府和统治阶层对待爱尔兰的殖民政策。
他以一种特殊的方式，表达了对当时社会道德和人性的担忧。
作为读者，我们应该在笑中思考，不仅仅是对文章本身的娱乐，更是对当时社会的反思。
4. 思考与总结乔纳森·斯威夫特的《一个荒谬的建议》是一部充满深意的文学作品，它不仅仅停留在文字的表面，更是包含了对当时社会问题的批判和思考。
在当今社会，我们同样需要以开放、深入的心态去面对各种问题，去探索看似荒谬的建议背后的真正意义。
只有通过深入的思考和讨论，我们才能更好地理解世界，更好地解决问题。
5. 个人观点对于《一个荒谬的建议》，我个人认为这篇作品不仅仅是一篇文学作品，更是一种对当时社会问题的批判和反思。
斯威夫特以一种夸张的方式，向读者展现了当时政治和社会的黑暗一面。
散文译作的风格再现——a modest proposal两种译文分析
散文译作的风格再现——a modest proposal两种译文分析有许多散文译作，它们中有许多来自爱尔兰作家约翰斯特恩的《一个谦虚的建议》（A Modest Proposal）。
他在1729年发表了这篇文章，用措辞强烈、诙谐的语言，提出了一个极具创意的方案，旨在解决贫困人口的问题。
斯特恩的文章最终成为现代政治话语的经典之作，也是有史以来爱尔兰最著名的文学作品之一。
斯特恩的文章《一个谦虚的建议》由多种译本翻译而成，每一种译本都有其独特的风格和语言特点。
比较和分析不同译本时，可以充分体现出译者在翻译时对作品的不同理解和把握。
下面将着重从中文译文进行探究，探讨《一个谦虚的建议》两种译文的风格及其差异。
首先，在语言风格方面，两个中文译文都有其特点。
一种译文，通过温和的语言表达，成功地将斯特恩的文字抽象意义映射为中文形象化的表述，从而表达出作者对该议题的思想。
这种译文采用更加抽象且不失斯特恩式的诙谐和幽默，使读者一种更深刻的理解感受。
另一种译文，则尝试将斯特恩的文字译作成中文，尽可能还原其风格、意思、语言特点和谐以及文章的幽默感。
- 1 -。
A-Modest-Proposal-原文
For Preventing the Children of Poor Peoplein Ireland, from Being a Burden on Their Parentsor Country, and for Making ThemBeneficial to the PublickBy Jonathan SwiftEdited and annotated by Jack LynchSwift was Irish, and though he much preferred living in England, he resented British policies toward the Irish. In a letter to Pope of 1729, he wrote, "Imagine a nation the two-thirds of whose revenues are spent out of it, and who are not permitted to trade with the other third, and where the pride of the women will not suffer [allow] them to wear their own manufactures even where they excel what come from abroad: This is the true state of Ireland in a very few words." His support for Irish causes has made him a renowned figure in modern Ireland. The paragraph numbers have been added for this edition.[1] It is a melancholly Object to those, who walk through this great Town, 1 or travel in the Country, when they see the Streets, the Roads, and Cabbin-Doors, crowded with Beggars of the female Sex, followed by three, four, or six Children, all in Rags, and importuning every Passenger for an Alms. These Mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelyhood, are forced to employ all their time in Stroling, to beg Sustenance for their helpless Infants, who, as they grow up either turn Thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native Country to fight for the Pretender in Spain, 2 or sell themselves to the Barbadoes. 3[2] I think it is agreed by all Parties, that this prodigious number of Children, in the Arms, or on the Backs, or at the heels of their Mothers, and frequently oftheir Fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the Kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these Children sound and useful Members of the common-wealth would deserve so well of the publick, as to have his Statue set up for a preserver of the Nation.[3]But my Intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the Children of professed beggars, it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of Infants at a certain Age, who are born of Parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our Charity in the Streets.[4]As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many Years, upon this important Subject, and maturely weighed the several Schemes of other Projectors, 4 I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true a Child, just dropt from it's Dam, 5 may be supported by her Milk, for a Solar year with little other Nourishment, at most not above the Value of two Shillings, which the Mother may certainly get, or the Value in Scraps, by her lawful Occupation of begging, and it is exactly at one year Old that I propose to provide for them, in such a manner, as, instead of being a Charge upon their Parents, or the Parish, 6 orwanting7 Food and Raiment for the rest of their Lives, they shall, on the Contrary, contribute to the Feeding and partly to the Cloathing of many Thousands.[5] There is likewise another great Advantage in my Scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary Abortions, and that horrid practice of Women murdering their Bastard Children, alas! too frequent among us, Sacrificing the poor innocent Babes, I doubt,8 more to avoid the Expence, than the Shame, which would move Tears and Pity in the most Savage and inhuman breast.[6] The number of Souls in this Kingdom being usually reckoned one Million and a half, Of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand Couple whose Wives are breeders, from which number I Substract thirty Thousand Couples, who are able to maintain their own Children, although I apprehend9 there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the Kingdom, but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand Breeders. I again Subtract fifty Thousandfor those Women who miscarry, or whose Children dye by accident, or disease within the Year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand Children of poor Parents annually born: The question therefore is, How this number shall be reared, and provided for, which, as I have already said, under the present Situation of Affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed, for we can neither employ them in Handicraft, or Agriculture; we neither build Houses, (I mean in the Country) nor cultivate Land:10 they can very seldom pick up a Livelyhood by Stealing until they arrive at six years Old, except where they are of towardly parts,11 although, I confess they learn the Rudiments much earlier; during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as Probationers, as I have been informed by a principal Gentleman in the County of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two Instances under the Age of six, even in a part of the Kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that Art.[7] I am assured by our Merchants, that a Boy or Girl, before twelve years Old, is no saleable Commodity, and even when they come to this Age, they will not yield above three Pounds, or three Pounds and half a Crown at most on the Exchange, which cannot turn to Account either to the Parents or the Kingdom, the Charge of Nutriments and Rags having been at least four times that Value.[8] I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be lyable to the least Objection.[9] I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy Child well Nursed is at a year Old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome Food, whether Stewed, Roasted, Baked, or Boyled, and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a Fricasie, or Ragoust.12[10] I do therefore humbly offer it to publick consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand Children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for Breed, whereof only one fourth part to be Males, which is more than we allow to Sheep, black Cattle, or Swine, and my reason is, that these Children are seldom the Fruits of Marriage, a Circumstance not much regarded by our Savages, therefore, one Male will be sufficient to serve four Females. That the remaining hundred thousand mayat a year Old be offered in Sale to the persons of Quality,13 and Fortune, through the Kingdom, always advising the Mother to let them Suck plentifully in the last Month, so as to render them Plump, and Fat for a good Table. A Child will make two Dishes at an Entertainment for Friends, and when the Family dines alone, the fore or hind Quarter will make a reasonable Dish, and seasoned with a little Pepper or Salt will be very good Boiled on the fourth Day, especially in Winter.[11] I have reckoned upon a Medium, that a Child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar Year if tollerably nursed encreaseth to 28 Pounds.[12] I grant this food will be somewhat dear,14 and therefore very proper for Landlords,15 who, as they have already devoured most of the Parents, seem to have the best Title to the Children.[13] Infant's flesh will be in Season throughout the Year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave Author16 an eminent French physitian, that Fish being a prolifick Dyet, there are more Children born in Roman Catholick Countries about nine Months after Lent, than at any other Season, therefore reckoning a Year after Lent, the Markets will be more glutted than usual, because the Number of Popish Infants, is at least three to one in this Kingdom, and therefore it will have one other Collateral advantage by lessening the Number of Papists among us.[14] I have already computed the Charge of nursing a Beggars Child (in which listI reckon all Cottagers, Labourers, and four fifths of the Farmers) to be about two Shillings per Annum, Rags included; and I believe no Gentleman would repine to give Ten Shillings for the Carcass of a good fat Child, which, as I have said will make four Dishes of excellent Nutritive Meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own Family to Dine with him. Thus the Squire will learn to be a good Landlord, and grow popular among his Tenants, the Mother will have Eight Shillings neat profit, and be fit for Work till she produceth another Child.[15] Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the Times require) may flay the Carcass; the Skin of which, Artificially17 dressed, will make admirable Gloves for Ladies, and Summer Boots for fine Gentlemen.[16] As to our City of Dublin, Shambles18 may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and Butchers we may be assured will not be wanting, although I rather recommend buying the Children alive, and dressing them hot from the Knife, as we do roasting Pigs.[17] A very worthy Person, a true Lover of his Country, and whose Virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my Scheme. He said, that many Gentlemen of this Kingdom, having of late destroyed their Deer, he conceived that the want of Venison might be well supplyed by the Bodies of young Lads and Maidens, not exceeding fourteen Years of Age, nor under twelve; so great a Number of both Sexes in every County being now ready to Starve, for want of Work and Service: And these to be disposed of by their Parents if alive, or otherwise by their nearest Relations. But with due deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a Patriot, I cannot be altogether in his Sentiments, for as to the Males, my American acquaintance assured me from frequent Experience, that their flesh was generally Tough and Lean, like that of our School-boys, by continual exercise, and their Taste disagreeable, and to Fatten them would not answer the Charge. Then as to the Females, it would, I think, with humble Submission, be a loss to the Publick, because they soon would become Breeders themselves: And besides it is not improbable that some scrupulous People might be apt to Censure such a Practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon Cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any Project, how well soever intended.[18] But in order to justify my friend, he confessed, that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Sallmanaazor,19 a Native of the Island Formosa, who came from thence to London, above twenty Years ago, and in Conversation told my friend, that in his Country when any young Person happened to be put to Death, the Executioner sold the Carcass to Persons of Quality, as a prime Dainty, and that, in his Time, the Body of a plump Girl of fifteen, who was crucifyed for an attempt to Poison theEmperor, was sold to his Imperial Majesty's prime Minister of State, and other great Mandarins20 of the Court, in Joints from the Gibbet,21 at four hundred Crowns. Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young Girls in this Town, who, without one single Groat22 to their Fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a Chair,23 and appear at a Play-House, and Assemblies in Foreign fineries, which they never will Pay for; the Kingdom would not be the worse.[19]Some Persons of a desponding Spirit are in great concern about that vast Number of poor People, who are aged, diseased, or maimed, and I have been desired to imploy my thoughts what Course may be taken, to ease the Nation of so grievous an Incumbrance. But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every Day dying, and rotting, by cold, and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected. And as to the younger Labourers they are now in almost as hopeful a Condition. They cannot get Work, and consequently pine away from want of Nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common Labour, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the Country and themselves are happily delivered from the Evils to come.[20] I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. I think the advantages by the Proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance.[21] For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the Number of Papists, with whom we are Yearly over-run, being the principal Breeders of the Nation, as well as our most dangerous Enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the Kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their Advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants,24 who have chosen rather to leave their Country, than stay at home, and pay Tythes against their Conscience, to an idolatrous Episcopal Curate.[22]Secondly, the poorer Tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by Law may be made lyable to Distress,25 and help to pay their Landlord's Rent, their Corn and Cattle being already seazed, and Money a thing unknown.[23]Thirdly, Whereas the Maintainance of an hundred thousand Children, from two Years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than Ten Shillings a piece per Annum, the Nation's Stock will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per Annum, besides the profit of a new Dish, introduced to the Tables of all Gentlemen of Fortune in the Kingdom, who have any refinement in Taste, and the Money will circulate among our selves, the Goods being entirely of our own Growth and Manufacture.[24]Fourthly, The constant Breeders, besides the gain of Eight Shillings Sterling per Annum, by the Sale of their Children, will be rid of the Charge of maintaining them after the first Year.[25]Fifthly, this food would likewise bring great Custom to Taverns, where the Vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts26 for dressing it to perfection, and consequently have their Houses frequented by all the fine Gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good Eating, and a skillful Cook, who understands how to oblige his Guests will contrive to make it as expensive as they please.[26]Sixthly, This would be a great Inducement to Marriage, which all wise Nations have either encouraged by Rewards, or enforced by Laws and Penalties. It would encrease the care and tenderness of Mothers towards their Children, when they were sure of a Settlement for Life, to the poor Babes, provided in some sort by the Publick to their Annual profit instead of Expence, we should soon see an honest Emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest Child to the Market, Men would become as fond of their Wives, during the Time of their Pregnancy, as they are now of their Mares in Foal, their Cows in Calf, or Sows when they are ready to Farrow, nor offer to Beat or Kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a Miscarriage.[27]Many other advantages might be enumerated: For Instance, the addition of some thousand Carcases in our exportation of Barreled Beef. The Propagation of Swines Flesh, and Improvement in the Art of making good Bacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of Pigs, too frequent at our Tables, which are no way comparable in Taste, or Magnificence to a well grown, fat Yearling Child, which Roasted wholewill make a considerable Figure at a Lord Mayor's Feast, or any other Publick Entertainment. But this, and many others I omit being studious of Brevity.[28]Supposing that one thousand Families in this City, would be constant Customers for Infants Flesh, besides others who might have it at Merry-meetings, particularly at Weddings and Christenings, I compute that Dublin would take off Annually about twenty thousand Carcases, and the rest of the Kingdom (where probably they will be Sold somewhat Cheaper) the remaining eighty thousand.[29] I can think of no one Objection, that will possibly be raised against this Proposal, unless it should be urged, that the Number of People will be thereby much lessened in the Kingdom. This I freely own,27 and it was indeed one Principal design in offering it to the World. I desire the Reader will observe, that I Calculate my Remedy for this one individual Kingdom of IRELAND, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients:28 Of taxing our Absentees at five Shillings a pound:29 Of using neither Cloaths, nor household Furniture, except what is of our own Growth and Manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the Materials and Instruments that promote Foreign Luxury: Of curing the Expenciveness of Pride, Vanity, Idleness, and Gaming in our Women: Of introducing a Vein of Parcimony, Prudence and Temperance: Of learning to Love our Country, wherein we differ even from LAPLANDERS, and the Inhabitants of TOPINAMBOO:30 Of quitting our Animosities, and Factions, nor Act any longer like the Jews, who were Murdering one another at the very moment their City was taken:31 Of being a little Cautious not to Sell our Country and Consciences for nothing: Of teaching Landlords to have at least one degree of Mercy towards their Tenants. Lastly of putting a Spirit of Honesty, Industry and Skill into our Shop-keepers, who, if a Resolution could now be taken to Buy only our Native Goods, would immediately unite to Cheat and Exact32 upon us in the Price, the Measure, and the Goodness, nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair Proposal of just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it.[30] Therefore I repeat, let no Man talk to me of these and the like Expedients, till he hath at least a Glimpse of Hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into Practice.[31] But as to my self, having been wearied out for many Years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of Success, I fortunately fell upon this Proposal, which as it is wholly new, so it hath something Solid and Real, of no Expence and little Trouble, full in our own Power, and whereby we can incur no Danger in disobliging England. For this kind of Commodity will not bear Exportation, the Flesh being of too tender a Consistance, to admit a long continuance in Salt, although perhaps I could name a Country, which would be glad to Eat up our whole Nation without it.33[32]After all I am not so violently bent upon my own Opinion, as to reject any Offer, proposed by wise Men, which shall be found equally Innocent, Cheap, Easy and Effectual. But before something of that kind shall be advanced in Contradiction to my Scheme, and offering a better, I desire the Author, or Authors will be pleased maturely to consider two points. First, As things now stand, how they will be able to find Food and Raiment for a hundred thousand useless Mouths and Backs. And Secondly, there being a round Million of Creatures in humane Figure, throughout this Kingdom, whose whole Subsistence put into a common Stock, would leave them in Debt two Millions of Pounds Sterling adding those, who are Beggars by Profession, to the Bulk of Farmers, Cottagers and Labourers with their Wives and Children, who are Beggars in Effect;I desire those Politicians, who dislike my Overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an Answer, that they will first ask the Parents of these Mortals, whether they would not at this Day think it a great Happiness to have been sold for Food at a year Old, in the manner I prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual Scene of Misfortunes, as they have since gone through, by the oppression of Landlords, the Impossibility of paying Rent without Money or Trade, the want of common Sustenance, with neither House nor Cloaths to cover them from Inclemencies of Weather, and the most inevitable Prospect of intailing the like, or greater Miseries upon their Breed for ever.[33]I Profess in the sincerity of my Heart that I have not the least personal Interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary Work having no other Motive than the publick Good of my Country, by advancing our Trade, providing for Infants, relieving the Poor, and giving some Pleasure to the Rich. I have no Children, by which I canpropose to get a single Penny; the youngest being nine Years old, and my Wife past Child-bearing.Notes1. Dublin.2. The Pretender was the descendant of King James II of the House of Stuart, expelled from Britain in 1689. James and his descendants were Catholic, so they took refuge in Catholic countries.3. Many poor Irish were forced to seek a living in the New World.4. Projector, "One who forms schemes or designs" (Johnson).5. Dam, "The mother: used of beasts, or other animals not human," or "A human mother: in contempt or detestation" (Johnson).6. Parishes were responsible for the support of those unable to work.7. Wanting, "lacking."8. Doubt, "suspect" or "imagine."9. Apprehend, "fear."10. Britain imposed strict regulations on Irish agriculture.11. Towardly parts, "ready abilities."12. Fricasee, "A dish made by cutting chickens or other small things in pieces, and dressing them with strong sauce" (Johnson); ragout, "Meat stewed and highly seasoned" (Johnson).13. Quality, "Rank; superiority of birth or station" (Johnson).14. Dear, "expensive."15. British landlords took much of the blame for Ireland's condition, and generally with good reason.16. Swift's note: "Rabelais."17. Artificially, "skillfully."18. Shambles, "meat markets."19. George Psalmanazar, an impostor who claimed to be from Formosa (modern Taiwan). His Historical and Geographical Description of Formosa (1704) described their religious practices: every year 18,000 young boys were sacrificed to the gods, and the parishioners ate their raw hearts.20. Mandarin, "A Chinese nobleman or magistrate" (Johnson).21. Gibbet, "A gallows; the post on which malefactors are hanged, or on which their carcases are exposed" (Johnson).22. A groat is worth four pence; proverbially, any small amount.23. Chair, "A vehicle born by men; a sedan" (Johnson).24. Dissenters or Nonconformists, whose principles Swift rejected.25. Distress, "arrest for debt."26. Receipts, "[From recipe.] Prescription of ingredients for any composition" (Johnson).27. Own, "admit."28. These "expedients" are serious proposals, several of which Swift advocated in his other publications.29. Five shillings a pound is a twenty-five percent tax.30. Topinamboo, a district in Brazil.31. Titus sacked the Second Temple in Jerusalem in . 70.32. Exact, "impose."33. Swift is making a coy reference to England.。
中英对照.A Modest Proposal, by Dr. Jonathan Swift
A MODESTPROPOSALFor preventing the children of poorpeople in Ireland,from being a burden on their parents orcountry,and for making them beneficial to thepublick.by Dr. Jonathan Swift1729It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabbin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in stroling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the publick, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation.But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professed beggars: it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age, who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our charity in the streets.As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years, upon this important subject, and maturely weighed the several schemes of our projectors, I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true, a child just dropt from itsdam, may be supported by her milk, for a solar year, with little other nourishment: at most not above the value of two shillings, which the mother may certainly get, or the value in scraps, by her lawful occupation of begging; and it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the cloathing of many thousands.There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice of women murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expence than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast.The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couple whose wives are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couple, who are able to maintain their own children, (although I apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the kingdom) but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand, for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease within the year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born. The question therefore is, How this number shall be reared, and provided for? which, as I have already said, under the present situation of affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed. For we can neither employ them in handicraft or agriculture; they neither build houses, (I mean in the country) nor cultivate land: they can very seldom pick up a livelihood by stealing till they arrive at six years old; except where they are of towardly parts, although I confess they learn the rudiments much earlier; during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as probationers: As I have been informed by a principal gentleman in the county of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two instances under the age of six, even in a part of the kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that art.I am assured by our merchants, that a boy or a girl before twelve years old, is no saleable commodity, and even when they come to this age, they will not yield above three pounds, or three pounds and half a crown at most, on the exchange; which cannot turn to account either to the parents or kingdom, the charge of nutriments and rags having been at least four times that value.I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope will not be liable to the least objection.I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.I do therefore humbly offer it to publick consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle, or swine, and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore, one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render themplump, and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.I have reckoned upon a medium, that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and ina solar year, if tolerably nursed, encreaseth to 28 pounds.I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolifick dyet, there are more children born in Roman Catholick countries about nine months after Lent, the markets will be more glutted than usual, because the number of Popish infants, is at least three to one in this kingdom, and therefore it will have one other collateral advantage, by lessening the number of Papists among us.I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a good fat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or his own family to dine with him. Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord, and grow popular among his tenants, the mother will have eight shillings neat profit, and be fit for work till she produces another child.Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flea the carcass; the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.As to our City of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and butchers we may be assured will not be wanting; although I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs.A very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supply'd by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so great a number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and service: And these to be disposed of by their parents if alive, or otherwise by their nearest relations. But with due deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a patriot, I cannot be altogether in his sentiments; for as to the males, my American acquaintance assured me from frequent experience, that their flesh was generally tough and lean, like that of our school-boys, by continual exercise, and their taste disagreeable, and to fatten them would not answer the charge. Then as to the females, it would, I think, with humble submission, be a loss to the publick, because they soon would become breeders themselves: And besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, how well soever intended.But in order to justify my friend, he confessed, that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Salmanaazor, a native of the island Formosa, who came from thence to London, above twenty years ago, and in conversation told my friend, that in his country, when any young person happened to be put to death, the executioner sold the carcass to persons of quality, as a prime dainty; and that, in his time, the body of a plump girl of fifteen, who was crucified for an attempt to poison the Emperor, was sold to his imperial majesty's prime minister of state, and other great mandarins of the court in joints from the gibbet, at four hundred crowns. Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young girls in this town, who without one single groat to their fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a chair, and appear at a play-house and assemblies in foreign fineries which they never will pay for; the kingdom would not be the worse.Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed; and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an incumbrance. But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every day dying, and rotting, by cold and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected. And as to the young labourers, they are now in almost as hopeful a condition. They cannot get work, and consequently pine away from want of nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common labour, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the country and themselves are happily delivered from the evils to come.I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance.For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the number of Papists, with whom we are yearly over-run, being the principal breeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants, who have chosen rather to leave their country, than stay at home and pay tithes against their conscience to an episcopal curate.Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord's rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money a thing unknown.Thirdly, Whereas the maintainance of an hundred thousand children, from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less than ten shillings a piece per annum, the nation's stock will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of a new dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulate among our selves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.Fourthly, The constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year.Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns, where the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts for dressing it to perfection; and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good eating; and a skilful cook, who understands how to oblige his guests, will contrive to make it as expensive as they please.Sixthly, This would be a great inducement to marriage, which all wise nations have either encouraged by rewards, or enforced by laws and penalties. It would encrease the care and tenderness of mothers towards their children, when they were sure of a settlement for life to the poor babes, provided in some sort by the publick, to their annual profit instead of expence. We should soon see an honest emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest child to the market. Men would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf, or sow when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage.Many other advantages might be enumerated. For instance, the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barrel'd beef: the propagation of swine's flesh, and improvement in the art of making good bacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs, too frequent at our tables; which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well grown, fat yearly child, which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a Lord Mayor's feast, or any other publick entertainment. But this, and many others, I omit, being studious of brevity.Supposing that one thousand families in this city, would be constant customers for infants flesh, besides others who might have it at merry meetings, particularly at weddings and christenings, I compute that Dublin would take off annually about twenty thousand carcasses; and the rest of the kingdom (where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper) the remaining eighty thousand.I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom. This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individual Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloaths, nor houshold furniture, except what is of our own growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: Of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity, idleness, and gaming in our women: Of introducing a vein of parsimony, prudence and temperance: Of learning to love our country, wherein we differ even from Laplanders, and the inhabitants of Topinamboo: Of quitting our animosities and factions, nor acting any longer like the Jews, who were murdering one another at the very moment their city was taken: Of being a little cautious not to sell our country and consciences for nothing: Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shop-keepers, who, if a resolution could now be taken to buy only our native goods, would immediately unite to cheat and exact upon us in the price, the measure, and the goodness, nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it.Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, 'till he hath at least some glympse of hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice.But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no danger in disobliging England. For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and fleshbeing of too tender a consistence, to admit a long continuance in salt, although perhaps I could name a country, which would be glad to eat up our whole nation without it. After all, I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent, cheap, easy, and effectual. But before something of that kind shall be advanced in contradiction to my scheme, and offering a better, I desire the author or authors will be pleased maturely to consider two points. First, As things now stand, how they will be able to find food and raiment for a hundred thousand useless mouths and backs. And secondly, There being a round million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence put into a common stock, would leave them in debt two million of pounds sterling, adding those who are beggars by profession, to the bulk of farmers, cottagers and labourers, with their wives and children, who are beggars in effect; I desire those politicians who dislike my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old, in the manner I prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes, as they have since gone through, by the oppression of landlords, the impossibility of paying rent without money or trade, the want of common sustenance, with neither house nor cloaths to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather, and the most inevitable prospect of intailing the like, or greater miseries, upon their breed for ever.I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancing our trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing.适度的建议为了防止爱尔兰穷人的孩子，不再是他们父母或国家的负担，让他们对公众有利。
英文散文经典名篇 中英文
英文散文经典名篇中英文English: One of the most well-known classic English essays is "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift. In this satirical piece, Swift suggests that the impoverished Irish could alleviate their economic troubles by selling their children as food to the wealthy. Through this absurd proposal, Swift critiques the attitudes of the ruling class towards the poor and exposes the inhumane treatment of the Irish people by the British government. The essay is a scathing commentary on the economic and social injustices of the time, using dark humor and irony to bring attention to the dire conditions faced by the Irish population.中文翻译: 《一个议顶的建议》是乔纳森·斯威夫特（Jonathan Swift）最著名的英语散文之一。
在这篇讽刺性的作品中，斯威夫特建议，贫困的爱尔兰人可以通过将他们的孩子卖给富人作为食物来缓解经济困境。
通过这个荒谬的建议，斯威夫特批评统治阶层对穷人的态度，并揭露了英国政府对爱尔兰人的残酷对待。
这篇散文尖刻地评论了当时的经济和社会不公正，运用黑色幽默和讽刺来引起人们对爱尔兰人口严峻情况的关注。
AModestProposal(一个温和建议)双语阅读
A Modest Proposal（一个温和的建议）[1] It is a melancholy Object to those, who walk through this great Town, 1 or travelin the Country, when they see the Streets, the Roads, and Cabin-Doors, crowded with Beggars of the female Sex, followed by three, four, or six Children, all in Rags, and importuning every Passenger for an Alms.对于走过这座大城市，或在乡间旅行的人，他们看到的这些景象真是悲凉：街上、马路上、茅屋内挤满了女乞丐，后面跟着三个、四个或六个衣衫褴褛的孩子，向每个路人强要施舍。
These Mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in Strolling, to beg Sustenance for their helpless Infants, who, as they grow up either turn Thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native Country to fight for the Pretender in Spain, 2 or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.这些母亲无法靠诚实劳动谋生，被迫终日游荡去养活那些无助的孩子，这些孩子长大后要么因找不到工作而沦为小偷，要么背井离乡去为西班牙那个觊觎王位者卖命，也许还会卖身到巴巴多斯。
英文名著A Modest Proposal
I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance
making them beneficial to the publick.
by Dr. Jonathan Swift. 1729
It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great
town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the
A Modest Proposal
by Jonathan Swift
A Modest Proposal for preventing the children of poor people in
Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for
of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of
their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present
deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional
of the kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that
art.
I am assured by our merchants, that a boy or a girl before twelve
amodestproposal(一个温和的建议)
A MODEST PROPOSALFor preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the publick.by Dr. Jonathan Swift1729It is a melancholy object to those, who walk through this great town, or travel in the country, when they see the streets, the roads and cabbin-doors crowded with beggars of the female sex, followed by three, four, or six children, all in rags, and importuning every passenger for an alms. These mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in stroling to beg sustenance for their helpless infants who, as they grow up, either turn thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native country, to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.I think it is agreed by all parties, that this prodigious number of children in the arms, or on the backs, or at the heels of their mothers, and frequently of their fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the kingdom, a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these children sound and useful members of the common-wealth, would deserve so well of the publick, as to have his statue set up for a preserver of the nation.But my intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the children of professed beggars: it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of infants at a certain age, who are born of parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our charity in the streets.As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many years, upon this important subject, and maturely weighed the several schemes ofour projectors, I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. It is true, a child just dropt from its dam, may be supported by her milk, for a solar year, with little other nourishment: at most not above the value of two shillings, which the mother may certainly get, or the value in scraps, by her lawful occupation ofbegging; and it is exactly at one year old that I propose to provide for them in such a manner, as, instead of being a charge upon their parents, or the parish, or wanting food and raiment for the rest of their lives, they shall, on the contrary, contribute to the feeding, and partly to the cloathing of many thousands.There is likewise another great advantage in my scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary abortions, and that horrid practice ofwomen murdering their bastard children, alas! too frequent among us, sacrificing the poor innocent babes, I doubt, more to avoid the expence than the shame, which would move tears and pity in the most savage and inhuman breast.The number of souls in this kingdom being usually reckoned one million and a half, of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand couple whose wives are breeders; from which number I subtract thirty thousand couple, who are able to maintain their own children, (although I apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the kingdom) but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand breeders. I again subtract fifty thousand, for those women who miscarry, or whose children die by accident or disease within the year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand children of poor parents annually born. The question therefore is, How this number shall be reared, and provided for? which, as I have already said, under the present situation of affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed. For we can neither employ them in handicraft or agriculture; we neither build houses, (I mean in the country) nor cultivate land: they can very seldom pick up a livelihood by stealing till they arrive at six years old; except where they are of towardly parts, although I confess they learn the rudiments much earlier; during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as probationers: As I have been informed by a principal gentleman in the county of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two instances under the age of six, even in a part of the kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that art.I am assured by our merchants, that a boy or a girl before twelve years old, is no saleable commodity, and even when they come to this age, they will not yield above three pounds, or three pounds and half a crownat most, on the exchange; which cannot turn to account either to the parents or kingdom, the charge of nutriments and rags having been at least four times that value.I shall now therefore humbly propose my own thoughts, which I hope willnot be liable to the least objection.I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child well nursed, is, at a year old, a most delicious nourishing and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricasie, or a ragoust.I do therefore humbly offer it to publick consideration, that of the hundred and twenty thousand children, already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, whereof only one fourth part to be males; which is more than we allow to sheep, black cattle, or swine, and my reason is, that these children are seldom the fruits of marriage, a circumstance not much regarded by our savages, therefore, one male will be sufficient to serve four females. That the remaining hundred thousand may, at a year old, be offered in sale to the persons of quality and fortune, through the kingdom, always advising the mother to let them suck plentifully in the last month, so as to render them plump, and fat for a good table. A child will make two dishes at an entertainment for friends, and when the family dines alone, the fore or hind quarter will make a reasonable dish, and seasoned with a little pepper or salt, will be very good boiled on the fourth day, especially in winter.I have reckoned upon a medium, that a child just born will weigh 12 pounds, and in a solar year, if tolerably nursed, encreaseth to 28 pounds.I grant this food will be somewhat dear, and therefore very proper for landlords, who, as they have already devoured most of the parents, seem to have the best title to the children.Infant's flesh will be in season throughout the year, but more plentiful in March, and a little before and after; for we are told by a grave author, an eminent French physician, that fish being a prolifick dyet, there are more children born in Roman Catholick countries about nine months after Lent, the markets will be more glutted than usual, because the number of Popish infants, is at least three to one in this kingdom, and therefore it will have one other collateral advantage, by lessening the number of Papists among us.I have already computed the charge of nursing a beggar's child (in which list I reckon all cottagers, labourers, and four-fifths of the farmers) to be about two shillings per annum, rags included; and I believe no gentleman would repine to give ten shillings for the carcass of a goodfat child, which, as I have said, will make four dishes of excellent nutritive meat, when he hath only some particular friend, or hisown family to dine with him. Thus the squire will learn to be a good landlord, and grow popular among his tenants, the mother will have eight shillings neat profit, and be fit for work till she produces another child.Those who are more thrifty (as I must confess the times require) may flea the carcass; the skin of which, artificially dressed, will make admirable gloves for ladies, and summer boots for fine gentlemen.As to our City of Dublin, shambles may be appointed for this purpose, in the most convenient parts of it, and butchers we may be assured will not be wanting; although I rather recommend buying the children alive, and dressing them hot from the knife, as we do roasting pigs.A very worthy person, a true lover of his country, and whose virtues I highly esteem, was lately pleased, in discoursing on this matter, to offer a refinement upon my scheme. He said, that many gentlemen of this kingdom, having of late destroyed their deer, he conceived that the want of venison might be well supply'd by the bodies of young lads and maidens, not exceeding fourteen years of age, nor under twelve; so great a number of both sexes in every country being now ready to starve for want of work and service: And these to be disposed of by their parents if alive, or otherwise by their nearest relations. But with due deference to so excellent a friend, and so deserving a patriot, I cannot be altogether in his sentiments; for as to the males, my American acquaintance assured me from frequent experience, that their flesh was generally tough and lean, like that of our school-boys, by continual exercise, and their taste disagreeable, and to fatten them would not answer the charge. Then as to the females, it would, I think, with humble submission, be a loss to the publick, because they soon would become breeders themselves: And besides, it is not improbable that some scrupulous people might be apt to censure such a practice, (although indeed very unjustly) as a little bordering upon cruelty, which, I confess, hath always been with me the strongest objection against any project, how well soever intended.But in order to justify my friend, he confessed, that this expedient was put into his head by the famous Salmanaazor, a native of the island Formosa, who came from thence to London, above twenty years ago, and in conversation told my friend, that in his country, when any young person happened to be put to death, the executioner sold the carcass to persons of quality, as a prime dainty; and that, in his time, the body of aplump girl of fifteen, who was crucified for an attempt to poison the Emperor, was sold to his imperial majesty's prime minister of state, and other great mandarins of the court in joints from the gibbet, at four hundred crowns. Neither indeed can I deny, that if the same use were made of several plump young girls in this town, who without one single groat to their fortunes, cannot stir abroad without a chair, and appear at a play-house and assemblies in foreign fineries which they never will pay for; the kingdom would not be the worse.Some persons of a desponding spirit are in great concern about that vast number of poor people, who are aged, diseased, or maimed; and I have been desired to employ my thoughts what course may be taken, to ease the nation of so grievous an incumbrance. But I am not in the least pain upon that matter, because it is very well known, that they are every day dying, and rotting, by cold and famine, and filth, and vermin, as fast as can be reasonably expected. And as to the young labourers, theyare now in almost as hopeful a condition. They cannot get work, and consequently pine away from want of nourishment, to a degree, that if at any time they are accidentally hired to common labour, they have not strength to perform it, and thus the country and themselves are happily delivered from the evils to come.I have too long digressed, and therefore shall return to my subject. I think the advantages by the proposal which I have made are obvious and many, as well as of the highest importance.For first, as I have already observed, it would greatly lessen the number of Papists, with whom we are yearly over-run, being the principal breeders of the nation, as well as our most dangerous enemies, and who stay at home on purpose with a design to deliver the kingdom to the Pretender, hoping to take their advantage by the absence of so many good Protestants, who have chosen rather to leave their country, than stay at home and pay tithes against their conscience to an episcopal curate.Secondly, The poorer tenants will have something valuable of their own, which by law may be made liable to a distress, and help to pay their landlord's rent, their corn and cattle being already seized, and money athing unknown.Thirdly, Whereas the maintainance of an hundred thousand children, from two years old, and upwards, cannot be computed at less thanten shillings a piece per annum, the nation's stock will be thereby encreased fifty thousand pounds per annum, besides the profit of anew dish, introduced to the tables of all gentlemen of fortune in the kingdom, who have any refinement in taste. And the money will circulate among our selves, the goods being entirely of our own growth and manufacture.Fourthly, The constant breeders, besides the gain of eight shillings sterling per annum by the sale of their children, will be rid of the charge of maintaining them after the first year.Fifthly, This food would likewise bring great custom to taverns, where the vintners will certainly be so prudent as to procure the best receipts for dressing it to perfection; and consequently have their houses frequented by all the fine gentlemen, who justly value themselves upon their knowledge in good eating; and a skilful cook, who understands how to oblige his guests, will contrive to make it as expensive as they please.Sixthly, This would be a great inducement to marriage, which all wise nations have either encouraged by rewards, or enforced by laws and penalties. It would encrease the care and tenderness of mothers towards their children, when they were sure of a settlement for life to the poor babes, provided in some sort by the publick, to their annual profit instead of expence. We should soon see an honest emulation among the married women, which of them could bring the fattest child to the market. Men would become as fond of their wives, during the time of their pregnancy, as they are now of their mares in foal, their cows in calf, or sow when they are ready to farrow; nor offer to beat or kick them (as is too frequent a practice) for fear of a miscarriage.Many other advantages might be enumerated. For instance, the addition of some thousand carcasses in our exportation of barrel'd beef: the propagation of swine's flesh, and improvement in the art of making good bacon, so much wanted among us by the great destruction of pigs,too frequent at our tables; which are no way comparable in taste or magnificence to a well grown, fat yearly child, which roasted whole will make a considerable figure at a Lord Mayor's feast, or any other publickentertainment. But this, and many others, I omit, being studious of brevity.Supposing that one thousand families in this city, would be constant customers for infants flesh, besides others who might have it at merry meetings, particularly at weddings and christenings, I compute that Dublin would take off annually about twenty thousand carcasses; and therest of the kingdom (where probably they will be sold somewhat cheaper) the remaining eighty thousand.I can think of no one objection, that will possibly be raised against this proposal, unless it should be urged, that the number of people will be thereby much lessened in the kingdom. This I freely own, and 'twas indeed one principal design in offering it to the world. I desire the reader will observe, that I calculate my remedy for this one individual Kingdom of Ireland, and for no other that ever was, is, or, I think, ever can be upon Earth. Therefore let no man talk to me of other expedients: Of taxing our absentees at five shillings a pound: Of using neither cloaths, nor houshold furniture, except what is of ourown growth and manufacture: Of utterly rejecting the materials and instruments that promote foreign luxury: Of curing the expensiveness of pride, vanity, idleness, and gaming in our women: Of introducing a vein of parsimony, prudence and temperance: Of learning to love our country, wherein we differ even from Laplanders, and the inhabitants of Topinamboo: Of quitting our animosities and factions, nor acting any longer like the Jews, who were murdering one another at the very moment their city was taken: Of being a little cautious not to sell our country and consciences for nothing: Of teaching landlords to have at least one degree of mercy towards their tenants. Lastly, of putting a spirit of honesty, industry, and skill into our shop-keepers, who, if a resolution could now be taken to buy only our native goods, would immediately unite to cheat and exact upon us in the price, the measure, and the goodness, nor could ever yet be brought to make one fair proposal of just dealing, though often and earnestly invited to it.Therefore I repeat, let no man talk to me of these and the like expedients, 'till he hath at least some glympse of hope, that there will ever be some hearty and sincere attempt to put them into practice.But, as to my self, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal, which, as it is wholly new, so it hath something solid and real, of no expence and little trouble, full in our own power, and whereby we can incur no dangerin disobliging England. For this kind of commodity will not bear exportation, and flesh being of too tender a consistence, to admit a long continuance in salt, although perhaps I could name a country, which would be glad to eat up our whole nation without it.After all, I am not so violently bent upon my own opinion, as to reject any offer, proposed by wise men, which shall be found equally innocent,cheap, easy, and effectual. But before something of that kind shall be advanced in contradiction to my scheme, and offering a better, I desire the author or authors will be pleased maturely to consider two points. First, As things now stand, how they will be able to find food and raiment for a hundred thousand useless mouths and backs. And secondly, There being a round million of creatures in humane figure throughout this kingdom, whose whole subsistence put into a common stock, would leave them in debt two million of pounds sterling, adding those who are beggars by profession, to the bulk of farmers, cottagers and labourers, with their wives and children, who are beggars in effect; I desire those politicians who dislike my overture, and may perhaps be so bold to attempt an answer, that they will first ask the parents of these mortals, whether they would not at this day think it a great happiness to have been sold for food at a year old, in the manner I prescribe, and thereby have avoided such a perpetual scene of misfortunes, as they have since gone through, by the oppression of landlords, the impossibility of paying rent without money or trade, the want of common sustenance, with neither house nor cloaths to cover them from the inclemencies of the weather, and the most inevitable prospect of intailing the like, or greater miseries, upon their breed for ever.I profess, in the sincerity of my heart, that I have not the least personal interest in endeavouring to promote this necessary work, having no other motive than the publick good of my country, by advancingour trade, providing for infants, relieving the poor, and giving some pleasure to the rich. I have no children, by which I can propose to get a single penny; the youngest being nine years old, and my wife past child-bearing.。
A_Modest_Proposal 英文版
2. What is the melancholy object, according to Swift, when people went through the country?
In this country, there were
a prodigious member of women beggars
There only remained a hunderd and twenty thousand chidren of poor paretns annually born. (12,0000)
I do therefore humbly offer it to public consideration that of the hundred and twenty thousand children already computed, twenty thousand may be reserved for breed, (-2,0000)
Two hundred thousand women were breeders. (20,0000)
Thirty thousand couples are able to maintain their child women might miscarry or whose children might die by accident or disease within the year. (-5,0000)
余下的十万可在一岁时卖给国内有地位有 钱者，事前切嘱母亲们在最后一月喂足儿 童的奶水，使其肥嫩，以备筵席之用。
② What assumption does he make about their weight and price?
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A Modest ProposalJonathan Swift[1] It is a melancholy Object to those, who walk through this great Town, or travel in the Country, when they see the Streets, the Roads, and Cabin-Doors, crowded with Beggars of the female Sex, followed by three, four, or six Children, all in Rags, and importuning every Passenger for an Alms.These Mothers instead of being able to work for their honest livelihood, are forced to employ all their time in Strolling, to beg Sustenance for their helpless Infants, who, as they grow up either turn Thieves for want of work, or leave their dear native Country to fight for the Pretender in Spain, or sell themselves to the Barbadoes.对于走过这座大城市，或在乡间旅行的人，他们看到的这些景象真是悲凉：街上、马路上、茅屋内挤满了女乞丐，后面跟着三个、四个或六个衣衫褴褛的孩子，向每个路人强要施舍。
这些母亲无法靠诚实劳动谋生，被迫终日游荡去养活那些无助的孩子，这些孩子长大后要么因找不到工作而沦为小偷，要么背井离乡去为西班牙那个觊觎王位者卖命，也许还会卖身到巴巴多斯。
[2] I think it is agreed by all Parties, that this prodigious number of Children, in the Arms, or on the Backs, or at the heels of their Mothers, and frequently of their Fathers, is in the present deplorable state of the Kingdom a very great additional grievance; and therefore whoever could find out a fair, cheap and easy method of making these Children sound and useful Members of the common-wealth would deserve so well of the public, as to have his Statue set up for a preserver of the Nation.我想所有的党派人士（各方面）都会同意，这些母亲（有时常常是父亲）怀中抱着、背上背着以及身后跟着的数量如此多的孩子，在王国可悲的现状下，将是一个平添民怨的灾难。
如果谁能想出一个简单易行的办法让这些孩子成为国家的健全有用之才，他将值得公众为他树立雕像，尊他为保国英雄。
[3] But my Intention is very far from being confined to provide only for the Children of professed beggars, it is of a much greater extent, and shall take in the whole number of Infants at a certain Age, who are born of Parents in effect as little able to support them, as those who demand our Charity in the Streets.然而我的目的远不止限于救治那些公开宣称的乞丐的孩子，我所说的范围要大得多，包括所有那些在某个年代出生，其父母与那些在街上要求我们大发慈悲的乞丐一样，无力养活他们的幼儿。
[4] As to my own part, having turned my thoughts for many Years, upon this important Subject, and maturely weighed the several Schemes of other Projectors, I have always found them grossly mistaken in their computation. . It is true a Child, just dropt from it's Dam, may be supported by herMilk, for a Solar year with little other Nourishment, at most not above the Value of two Shillings, which the Mother may certainly get, or the Value in Scraps, by her lawful Occupation of begging, and it is exactly at one year Old that I propose to provide for them, in such a manner, as, instead of being a Charge upon their Parents, or the Parish, or wanting Food and Raiment for the rest of their Lives, they shall, on the Contrary, contribute to the Feeding and partly to the Clothing of many Thousands.至于我自己，我酝酿这个想法已有多年，也曾和其他提出计划的人充分地权衡过几个方案，但总是发现他们在计算时犯了极大的错误。
确实，一个初生的婴儿在第一年里也许只需母乳而不用其他营养品，费用顶多不超过两先令，或不超过乞讨所得的残羹剩饭的价值。
这两先令他们的母亲通过合法的乞讨肯定能挣到的。
为了使他们不再成为父母或其所在教区的负担，也无需在余生要吃要穿，我提议，在正好一岁的时候，他们反而应该为成千上万的人的食物，部分也可以作为衣物。
[5] There is likewise another great Advantage in my Scheme, that it will prevent those voluntary Abortions, and that horrid practice of Women murdering their Bastard Children, alas, too frequent among us, Sacrificing the poor innocent Babes, I doubt, more to avoid the Expense, than the Shame, which would move Tears and Pity in the most Savage and inhuman breast.我的方案也有另外一个很大的好处,它能使妇女自愿堕胎和可怕的杀婴行为就此绝迹。
唉，这种现象在我们之中太普遍了，我怀疑（她们）牺牲那些无辜的婴儿与其说是为了逃避耻辱，不如说是为了逃避抚养的代价。
即使是最无情最没人性的人，对此也将一洒同情之泪。
[6] The number of Souls in this Kingdom being usually reckoned one Million and a half, Of these I calculate there may be about two hundred thousand Couple whose Wives are breeders, from which number I Subtract thirty Thousand Couples, who are able to maintain their own Children, although I apprehend there cannot be so many, under the present distresses of the Kingdom, but this being granted, there will remain an hundred and seventy thousand Breeders. I again Subtract fifty Thousand for those Women who miscarry, or whose Children die by accident or disease within the Year. There only remain an hundred and twenty thousand Children of poor Parents annually born. The question therefore is, How this number shall be reared and provided for, which, as I have already said, under the present Situation of Affairs, is utterly impossible by all the methods hitherto proposed. For we can neither employ them in Handicraft, or Agriculture; we neither build Houses, (I mean in the Country) nor cultivate Land. They can very seldom pick up a Livelyhood by Stealing until they arrive at six years Old, except where they are of towardly parts, although, I confess they learn the Rudiments much earlier; during which time they can however be properly looked upon only as Probationers, as I have been informed by a principal Gentleman in the County of Cavan, who protested to me, that he never knew above one or two Instances under the Age of six, even in a part of the Kingdom so renowned for the quickest proficiency in that Art. 这个王国的人口数量大概总计为一百五十万，在其中我估计有二十万对夫妇妻子尚能生育，从这个数目里我减去三千对有能力抚养孩子的夫妇——虽然我知道在王国现今十分窘迫，不可能有这么多——确定之后，就剩下十七万能够生育的妇女。