2005-09-06 22:06:18夏途島
經典翻譯：培根”新工具論”格言前五則
格言
第一卷
一
人，做為自然的僕役和詮釋者，能做並且理解的就那麼多，只當他在事實中觀察或在思考中考察自然所得到的那麼多．超越這限制，他既不能知道任何事，也不能做任何事．
二
只有空手沒什麼用，單單僅是理解也沒什麼用．要靠著器具及手腳並用的工作的幫助．如同手上的器具既能驅動又能導引，心靈的器具對理解既提供建議也附帶警告．
三
人類的知識和人類的力量融合為一；要是原因不知道，結果不能被產生，被轄制的天性必須去服從；沉思中所得知的原因就是施行時的法則．
四
對工作的影響，人所能做的是和合或分離自然的物体，剩下的是自然在其中作工．
五
自然的研究以工作的觀點來說牽涉到機械匠師，數學家，醫生，煉金術士，魔術師；但靠他們全部（如同現在這樣）也只有微弱的努力和稀少的成功．
I
Man, being the servant and interpreter of Nature, can do and understand so much and so much only as he has observed in fact or in thought of the course of nature. Beyond this he neither knows anything nor can do anything.
II
Neither the naked hand nor the understanding left to itself can effect much. It is by instruments and helps that the work is done, which are as much wanted for the understanding as for the hand. And as the instruments of the hand either give motion or guide it, so the instruments of the mind supply either suggestions for the understanding or cautions.
III
Human knowledge and human power meet in one; for where the cause is not known the effect cannot be produced. Nature to be commanded must be obeyed; and that which in contemplation is as the cause is in operation as the rule.
IV
Toward the effecting of works, all that man can do is to put together or put asunder natural bodies. The rest is done by nature working within.
V
The study of nature with a view to works is engaged in by the mechanic, the mathematician, the physician, the alchemist, and the magician; but by all (as things now are) with slight endeavor and scanty success.
第一卷
一
人，做為自然的僕役和詮釋者，能做並且理解的就那麼多，只當他在事實中觀察或在思考中考察自然所得到的那麼多．超越這限制，他既不能知道任何事，也不能做任何事．
二
只有空手沒什麼用，單單僅是理解也沒什麼用．要靠著器具及手腳並用的工作的幫助．如同手上的器具既能驅動又能導引，心靈的器具對理解既提供建議也附帶警告．
三
人類的知識和人類的力量融合為一；要是原因不知道，結果不能被產生，被轄制的天性必須去服從；沉思中所得知的原因就是施行時的法則．
四
對工作的影響，人所能做的是和合或分離自然的物体，剩下的是自然在其中作工．
五
自然的研究以工作的觀點來說牽涉到機械匠師，數學家，醫生，煉金術士，魔術師；但靠他們全部（如同現在這樣）也只有微弱的努力和稀少的成功．
I
Man, being the servant and interpreter of Nature, can do and understand so much and so much only as he has observed in fact or in thought of the course of nature. Beyond this he neither knows anything nor can do anything.
II
Neither the naked hand nor the understanding left to itself can effect much. It is by instruments and helps that the work is done, which are as much wanted for the understanding as for the hand. And as the instruments of the hand either give motion or guide it, so the instruments of the mind supply either suggestions for the understanding or cautions.
III
Human knowledge and human power meet in one; for where the cause is not known the effect cannot be produced. Nature to be commanded must be obeyed; and that which in contemplation is as the cause is in operation as the rule.
IV
Toward the effecting of works, all that man can do is to put together or put asunder natural bodies. The rest is done by nature working within.
V
The study of nature with a view to works is engaged in by the mechanic, the mathematician, the physician, the alchemist, and the magician; but by all (as things now are) with slight endeavor and scanty success.