According to the last returns under the Population Act, the poor and working classes of Great Britain and Ireland have been found to exceed fifteen millions of persons, or nearly three-fourths of the population of the British Islands.
根据《人口法案》的最新报告，在大不列颠和爱尔兰，贫困人口以及工人阶级的数量已经超过了一千五百万，几乎占了不列颠群岛总人口的四分之三。
The characters of these persons are now permitted to be very generally formed without proper guidance or direction, and, in many cases, under circumstances which directly impel them to a course of extreme vice and misery; thus rendering them the worst and most dangerous subjects in the empire; while the far greater part of the remainder of the community are educated upon the most mistaken principles of human nature, such, indeed, as cannot fail to produce a general conduct throughout society, totally unworthy of the character of rational beings.
这些人在性格形成过程中，普遍没有得到过适当的引导。在很多情况下，环境甚至直接驱使他们走上极端邪恶或悲惨的道路，从而使其成为帝国最恶劣、最危险的臣民。与此同时，社会上其余的人，绝大部分接受的教育都是基于错误的人性原则，这种原则必定会使整个社会形成一种完全与理性之人的性格完全相悖的普遍行为。
The first thus unhappily situated are the poor and the uneducated profligate among the working classes, who are now trained to commit crimes, for the commission of which they are afterwards punished.
第一类人是处于这种不幸境地的贫困人口以及工人阶级中没有受过教育的放荡者。这些人目前所受的教育促使他们去犯罪，继而又因为犯罪而受罚。
The second is the remaining mass of the population, who are now instructed to believe, or at least to acknowledge, that certain principles are unerringly true, and to act as though they were grossly false; thus filling the world with folly and inconsistency, and making society, throughout all its ramifications, a scene of insincerity and counteraction.
除此之外的人民大众是第二类。这类人目前受到的教导就是要他们相信，或至少是去承认某些原理是完全正确的，而他们被教导做的事又好像是完全错误的。这样一来，这个世界便充满了荒诞和矛盾，社会的各方面也因此充斥着虚伪和对抗。
In this state the world has continued to the present time; its evils have been and are continually increasing; they cry aloud for efficient corrective measures, which if we longer delay, general disorder must ensue.
直到现在，整个世界都处在这样一种境地，其危害一直持续并呈变本加厉之势。我们急需采取有效措施加以匡正，若再拖延下去，必将发生普遍性混乱。
'But,' say those who have not deeply investigated the subject, 'attempts to apply remedies have been often made, yet all of them have failed. The evil is now of a magnitude not to be controlled; the torrent is already too strong to be stemmed; and we can only wait with fear or calm resignation to see it carry destruction in its course, by confounding all distinctions of right and wrong.'
“可是，”那些并没有深究这个问题的人声称，“我们经常试图采取补救措施，但都是徒劳。现在危害已经大到无法控制的地步，犹如大水泛滥，势不可阻。我们只能静静地等待，忐忑不安却无可奈何，看着它混淆是非，不断带来破坏。”
Such is the language now held, and such are the general feelings on this most important subject.
这就是当前的言论，这就是人们对于这一极其重要的议题的普遍感受。
These, however, if longer suffered to continue, must lead to the most lamentable consequences. Rather than pursue such a course, the character of legislators would be infinitely raised, if, forgetting the petty and humiliating contentions of sects and parties, they would thoroughly investigate the subject, and endeavour to arrest and overcome these mighty evils.
然而，倘若任其发展，就必定会导致极其可悲的后果。反之，如果立法者忘却教派和*党**派之间琐碎而令人蒙羞的纷争，彻底地调查这一问题，并且努力去遏制、战胜这些巨大的危害，那么他们的声望将会无限地提高。
The chief object of these Essays is to assist and forward investigations of such vital importance to the well-being of this country, and of society in general.
这些论文的主要目的是协助并推进这些调查工作，这些调查工作对这个国家以及整个社会的健康发展具有重大意义。
The view of the subject which is about to be given has arisen from extensive experience for upwards of twenty years, during which period its truth and importance have been proved by multiplied experiments. That the writer may not be charged with precipitation or presumption, he has had the principle and its consequences examined, scrutinized, and fully canvassed, by some of the most learned, intelligent, and competent characters of the present day: who, on every principle of duty as well as of interest, if they had discovered error in either, would have exposed it—but who, on the contrary, have fairly acknowledged their incontrovertible truth and practical importance.
以下要阐述的相关观点源于作者二十多年来积累的丰富经验，在此期间，这一观点的正确性与重要性已经被无数次的实证研究所验证。人们不会指责作者鲁莽仓促或武断冒昧，因为当今某些最博学、最聪慧、最能干的人物已经对他的原理及其后果进行了考查、探究以及充分的查证。职责使然，加上利害关系所致，如果他们从中发现任何错误，本会将其曝光；可是恰恰相反，他们都公正地认可了这些原理无可争议的正确性以及在实践中的重要性。
Assured, therefore, that his principles are true, he proceeds with confidence, and courts the most ample and free discussion of the subject; courts it for the sake of humanity—for the sake of his fellow creatures millions of whom experience sufferings which, were they to be unfolded, would compel those who govern the world to exclaim—'Can these things exist and we have no knowledge of them?' but they do exist and even the heart-rending statements which are made known to the public during the discussions upon negro-slavery, do not exhibit more afflicting scenes than those which, in various parts of the world, daily arise from the injustice of society towards itself; from the inattention of mankind to the circumstances which incessantly surround them; and from the want of a correct knowledge of human nature in those who govern and control the affairs of men.
因此，既然作者确信他的原理是正确的，他便充满信心地继续对这个主题进行最充分和最自由的讨论，这样做是为了人道，为了同胞。同胞中有千百万人在受苦受难，这些苦难如果被揭露的话，将会让当今世界的统治者们惊呼：“难道这些真的存在而我们却一无所知吗？”可是，这些情况的确存在着。连那些在讨论黑奴问题时公之于世的、让人心碎的论断，也没有世界各地每天产生的景象那样让人心痛。这些景象的产生是由于社会自身的不公平，由于人类对与其息息相关的生存环境的熟视无睹，由于管理人类事务的统治者们缺乏对人性的正确认识。
If these circumstances did not exist to an extent almost incredible, it would be unnecessary now to contend for a principle regarding Man, which scarcely requires more than to be fairly stated to make it self-evident.
如果这些情况还没有达到几乎令人难以置信的程度，现在就没有必要为一个关于人类的原理辩论，因为这一原理只要清楚地说出来，那几乎就是不辩自明的。
This principle is, that 'Any general character, from the best to the worst, from the most ignorant to the most enlightened, may be given to any community, even to the world at large, by the application of proper means, which means are to a great extent at the command and under the control of those who have influence in the affairs of men.'
这一原理就是：“任何一种普遍的性格，从最好的到最坏的，从最无知的到最开明的，任何社会乃至全世界都可以通过适当的方式获得；而这些方式在很大程度上都为那些对人类事务有影响力的人所掌控。”
The principle as now stated is a broad one, and, if it should be found to be true, cannot fail to give a new character to legislative proceedings, and such a character as will be most favourable to the well-being of society.
现在陈述的这一原理是个概括性的原理，如果能证明它是正确的，就必然会使立法过程获得一种新的性质，而这种性质对社会的健康发展将大有裨益。
That this principle is true to the utmost limit of the terms, is evident from the experience of all past ages, and from every existing fact.
从过去历代的经验和现存的每一个事实中都可以清楚地看出，这一原理是极其正确的。
Shall misery, then, most complicated and extensive, be experienced, from the prince to the peasant, throughout all the nations of the world, and shall its cause and the means of its prevention be known, and yet these means withheld? The undertaking is replete with difficulties which can only be overcome by those who have influence in society; who, by foreseeing its important practical benefits, may be induced to contend against those difficulties; and who, when its advantages are clearly seen and strongly felt, will not suffer individual considerations to be put in competition with their attainment. It is true their ease and comfort may be for a time sacrificed to those prejudices; but, if they persevere, the principles on which this knowledge is founded must ultimately universally prevail.
那么，全世界各个国家的人，从王子到农民，还要经历万般复杂、广泛的苦难吗？知道了其起因和预防方法后，还要把这些办法束之高阁吗？这是一项困难重重的任务，只有那些有社会影响力的人才能够克服这些困难；他们预见到这项任务的重大实际益处，就可能有了与困难作斗争的动力；他们清楚地看到并深刻地体会到这项任务的种种好处，就不会因为计较个人得失而妨碍这些好处成为现实。诚然，由于社会上的偏见，他们会暂时牺牲生活上的悠闲和舒适；然而，只要他们坚持下去，这一认识赖以建立的那些原理最终一定会在全球盛行开来。
In preparing the way for the introduction of these principles, it cannot now be necessary to enter into the detail of acts to prove that children can be trained to acquire 'any language, sentiments, belief, or any bodily habits and manners, not contrary to human nature'.
现在还无需涉及行为细节来论证这一事实，即经过训练，儿童能习得“任何一种不违背人性的语言、情感、信仰或身体方面的习惯和举止”。
For that this has been done, the history of every nation of which we have records, abundantly confirms; and that this is, and may be again done, the facts which exist around us and throughout all the countries in the world, prove to demonstration.
以前有过这样的实践，世界各国的史料也充分证实了这一点；而这种实践现在还在进行，以后也有可能再次进行，我们周围以及世界各国的事实情况证明了这一点。
Possessing, then, the knowledge of a power so important, which when understood is capable of being wielded with the certainty of a law of nature, and which would gradually remove the evils which now chiefly afflict mankind, shall we permit it to remain dormant and useless, and suffer the plagues of society perpetually to exist and increase?
既然人类对如此重要的一种力量有了认识，而这种力量被理解以后又能根据自然规律的确定性为人所用，并且会逐渐消除那些危害，也就是现在困扰人类的罪魁祸首，那么，我们还能听任它不起作用、无所作为吗？还能允许社会遭受的折磨有增无减、连绵不绝吗？
No: the time is now arrived when the public mind of this country, and the general state of the world, call imperatively for the introduction of this all-pervading principle, not only in theory, but into practice.
不能。现在时机已经成熟，我国的公众心理以及世界各国的整体情绪都迫切要求不仅从理论上引入这一普遍原理，并且在实践中运用它。
Nor can any human power now impede its rapid progress. Silence will not retard its course, and opposition will give increased celerity to its movements. The commencement of the work will, in fact, ensure its accomplishment; henceforth all the irritating angry passions, arising from ignorance of the true cause of bodily and mental character, will gradually subside, and be replaced by the most frank and conciliating confidence and goodwill.
当今也没有任何人为的力量能够阻止其快速发展。沉默不会妨碍其进程，而反对则会不断加速其运动。实际上，这是一项一旦开始就一定能完成的工作。从此以后，人类因为不了解自己身心特点的真正成因，而产生的所有急躁易怒情绪都会渐渐平息，取而代之的是最坦诚、最宽和的信任和友善。
Nor will it be possible hereafter for comparatively a few individuals unintentionally to occasion the rest of mankind to be surrounded by circumstances which inevitably form such characters as they afterwards deem it a duty and a right to punish even to death; and that, too, while they themselves have been the instruments of forming those characters. Such proceedings not only create innumerable evils to the directing few, but essentially retard them and the great mass of society from attaining the enjoyment of a high degree of positive happiness. Instead of punishing crimes after they have permitted the human character to be formed so as to commit them, they will adopt the only means which can be adopted to prevent the existence of those crimes; means by which they may be most easily prevented.
此后，相对的少数个体也不可能在无意之中使其余的人受制于某种环境，而这种环境不可避免地造就特定性格——少数个体后来认为自己既有责任，又有权利对他人加以惩罚、甚至处以极刑的性格，殊不知正是这些少数个体自己造就了那些性格。这种做法不仅给当政的少数人带来了无数灾祸，而且也从根本上妨碍了他们以及广大社会民众享有高水准的实实在在的幸福。以后他们不会让犯罪性格形成之后再来惩治犯罪行为，而会采取唯一能用来遏制犯罪行为的手段；采用这种手段后，防止犯罪行为易如反掌。
Happily for poor traduced and degraded human nature, the principle for which we now contend will speedily divest it of all the ridiculous and absurd mystery with which it has been hitherto enveloped by the ignorance of preceding times; and all the complicated and counteracting motives for good conduct, which have been multiplied almost to infinity, will be reduced to one single principle of action, which, by its evident operation and sufficiency, shall render this intricate system unnecessary, and ultimately supersede it in all parts of the earth. That principle is the happiness of self, clearly understood and uniformly practised, which can only be attained by conduct that must promote the happiness of the community.
幸亏对于遭受诋毁与屈辱的可怜人而言，我们目前所推崇的原理将会迅速地把它身上一切荒谬可笑的神秘东西剥除干净；由于历朝历代的愚昧无知，这些东西至今一直缠绕其身。与此同时，善良行为的各种错综复杂、互相*制抵**的动机成倍增长，几乎没有穷尽，这些动机都会被归结为一条单一的行动原则。由于其明显的作用和足够的力量，这一原则将使这种错综复杂的体制成为没有必要的东西，并最终在世界各地取代它。这条原则就是：被明确了解、一致体验的个人幸福，只有通过促进社会幸福的行为才能得到。
For that power which governs and pervades the universe has evidently so formed man, that he must progressively pass from a state of ignorance to intelligence, the limits of which it is not for man himself to define; and in that progress to discover, that his individual happiness can be increased and extended only in proportion as he actively endeavours to increase and extend the happiness of all around him. The principle admits neither of exclusion nor of limitation; and such appears evidently the state of the public mind, that it will now seize and cherish this principle as the most precious boon which it has yet been allowed to attain. The errors of all opposing motives will appear in their true light, and the ignorance whence they arose will become so glaring, that even the most unenlightened will speedily reject them.
掌控宇宙并充斥其间的那种力量明显地塑造了人类，人类一定是从无知状态逐渐向充满智慧的状态过渡的，而智慧的极限却不是人类自身所能确定的；在向智慧迈进的过程中，人类还会发现，个人幸福增进、扩展的程度和这个人为增进、扩展周围所有人的幸福所做的积极努力成正比。这一原则不但不容排斥，而且也不可限制。公众的想法显而易见，他们马上就会掌握这一原则并把它当作至今能得到的最宝贵的恩赐去珍惜。所有与之相悖的动机的错误之处都会原形毕露，引发这些错误的愚昧无知也会变得非常刺眼，即便是最愚钝的人也会迅速*制抵**这些错误。
For this state of matters, and for all the gradual changes contemplated, the extraordinary events of the present times have essentially contributed to prepare the way.
对这种形势，以及人们所想到的一切渐变，当今时代的一些非常事件已经从根本上帮忙铺平了道路。
Even the late Ruler of France, although immediately influenced by the most mistaken principles of ambition, has contributed to this happy result, by shaking to its foundation that mass of superstition and bigotry, which on the continent of Europe had been accumulating for ages, until it had so overpowered and depressed the human intellect, that to attempt improvement without its removal would have been most unavailing. And in the next place, by carrying the mistaken selfish principles in which mankind have been hitherto educated to the extreme in practice, he has rendered their error manifest, and left no doubt of the fallacy of the source whence they originated.
甚至连已故的法国统治者，尽管受到极端错误的个人野心信条的直接影响，也为这种令人高兴的结果做出了贡献。他从根本上动摇了欧洲大陆上大量的迷信观念和偏执思想，这些迷信观念和偏执思想日积月累，由来已久，一直严重打击、压抑着人类的智慧，如果不加以消除便去尝试改良，那简直就是做无用之功。其次，他还把迄今为止一直用以教育人类的那些错误而自私的原则付诸实践并且达到极端的程度，使这些错误大白于天下，从而使人类毫不怀疑其根源的谬误本性。
These transactions, in which millions have been immolated, or consigned to poverty and bereft of friends, will be preserved in the records of time, and impress future ages with a just estimation of the principles now about to be introduced into practice; and will thus prove perpetually useful to all succeeding generations.
在这些事件中，千百万人或牺牲生命，或陷于贫困，或失去朋友。这些事件将载入史册，让后世对我们即将付诸实践的原理有一个公正的评判，从而被证明会永远惠及子孙后代。
For the direful effects of Napoleon's government have created the most deep-rooted disgust at notions which could produce a belief that such conduct was glorious, or calculated to increase the happiness of even the individual by whom it was pursued.
因为拿破仑政权所造成的可怕影响让人们对一些观念深恶痛绝，这些观念曾使人们相信这样的行为很光荣或有可能提升幸福感——哪怕是实施这种行为的个人。
And the late discoveries and proceedings of the Rev. Dr. Bell and Mr. Joseph Lancaster have also been preparing the way, in a manner the most opposite, but yet not less effectual, by directing the public attention to the beneficial effects, on the young and unresisting mind, of even the limited education which their systems embrace.
牧师贝尔博士与约瑟夫?兰开斯特先生最近的发现和活动也一直在为此铺平道路；他们用的是完全相反的方式，其效果却一点也不在其下。他们让公众注意到，虽然他们的体系所包含的教育非常有限，但是对于幼稚顺从的心灵也大有裨益。
They have already effected enough to prove that all which is now in contemplation respecting the training of youth may be accomplished without fear of disappointment. And by so doing, as the consequences of their improvements cannot be confined within the British Isles, they will for ever be ranked among the most important benefactors of the human race, but henceforward to contend for any new exclusive system will be in vain: the public mind is already too well informed, and has too far passed the possibility of retrogression, much longer to permit the continuance of any such evil.
他们的行动已经足以证明，正在酝酿的关于培养青年的一切计划都可以完成，不用担心会让人失望。这样一来，由于他们所做的那些改良的成果不可能仅仅局限于不列颠群岛，因而他们就会永远被看成是人类最重要的造福者。可是从此以后，主张任何具有排他性的新制度都将是徒劳：公众已经掌握了很多信息，绝不可能*退倒**，因而也绝不会允许这样的危害继续存在。
For it is now obvious that such a system must be destructive of the happiness of the excluded, by their seeing others enjoy what they are not permitted to possess; and also that it tends, by creating opposition from the justly injured feelings of the excluded, in proportion to the extent of the exclusion, to diminish the happiness even of the privileged: the former therefore can have no rational motive for its continuance.
我们现在可以很明显地看出，上述情况的发生，是由于这种制度使被排斥者看到别人享受着自己不被允许拥有的东西，从而破坏了他们的幸福感；同样明显的是，这种制度会让被排斥者完全有理由感到自己受到伤害从而产生反抗情绪——这种情绪与受排斥的程度成正比，所以这种制度甚至可能让享有特权者的幸福大打折扣，因此前一种人没有任何合理的动机允许这种制度继续存在。
If, however, owing to the irrational principles by which the world has been hitherto governed, individuals, or sects, or parties, shall yet by their plans of exclusion attempt to retard the amelioration of society, and prevent the introduction into PRACTICE of that truly just spirit which knows no exclusion, such facts shall yet be brought forward as cannot fail to render all their efforts vain.
然而，如果由于迄今为止世界仍然由不合理的原则统治着，任何个人、教派或*党**派就试图按照其排他性计划阻碍社会的改良，并妨碍人们将一视同仁、真正公正的精神付诸实践，那么，一定会有人用事实来让他们的一切努力归于徒劳。
It will therefore be the essence of wisdom in the privileged class to cooperate sincerely and cordially with those who desire not to touch one iota of the supposed advantages which they now possess; and whose first and last wish is to increase the particular happiness of those classes, as well as the general happiness of society. A very little reflection on the part of the privileged will ensure this line of conduct; whence, without domestic revolution—without war or bloodshed—nay, without prematurely disturbing any thing which exists, the world will be prepared to receive principles which are alone calculated to build up a system of happiness, and to destroy those irritable feelings which have so long afflicted society solely because society has hitherto been ignorant of the true means by which the most useful and valuable character may be formed.
所以，特权阶层真正的明智之举在于与那些丝毫不觊觎他们现有的假定利益的人诚心诚意地合作，这些人一心一意想增进那些阶层特有的幸福感，同时也增进社会的普遍幸福感。特权阶层稍作反思就会确保这样的行为路线得以实施；结果，不经过国内变革，不经过战争或流血，也不用过早地扰乱任何现有的事物，世界就会准备好去接受这些原理，只有依赖这些原理才能够建立起一套幸福的制度并消除急躁情绪。这些情绪长久以来困扰着社会，就是因为社会迄今一直不知道形成最有用、最有价值的性格的正确方法。
This ignorance being removed, experience will soon teach us how to form character, individually and generally, so as to give the greatest sum of happiness to the individual and to mankind.
一旦消除这种无知状况，我们就会立刻从经验中学习到培养个人性格以及普遍性格的方法，使得个人和全人类获取最大程度的幸福。
These principles require only to be known in order to establish themselves; the outline of our future proceedings then becomes clear and defined, nor will they permit us henceforth to wander from the right path. They direct that the governing powers of all countries should establish rational plans for the education and general formation of the characters of their subjects. These plans must be devised to train children from their earliest infancy in good habits of every description (which will of course prevent them from acquiring those of falsehood and deception). They must afterwards be rationally educated, and their labour be usefully directed. Such habits and education will impress them with an active and ardent desire to promote the happiness of every individual, and that without the shadow of exceptions for sect, or party, or country, or climate. They will also ensure, with the fewest possible exceptions, health, strength, and vigour of body; for the happiness of man can be erected only on the foundations of health of body and peace of mind.
这些原理只要能够为人所知，就会自动创建起来，我们未来的行动框架也就变得清晰而明了，从此以后这些原理也不会允许我们偏离正道。这些原理指明，所有国家的执政力量都应该为其臣民的教育以及普遍性格的形成确立理性的规划，必须制定这些规划来培养孩子，使之从襁褓时期就养成各种好习惯，这些习惯自然就会防止他们形成撒谎与欺骗的性格。之后，他们必须接受理性的教育，其劳动必须得到有益的引导。这些习惯和教育会让他们拥有一种积极而热切的愿望，要去提升每个人的幸福感，不因教派、*党**派、国家或地域的不同而有任何例外。同时这些原理还鲜有例外地确保人们健康强壮、精力充沛，因为身体健康、心平气和是人类获得幸福的必要基础。
And that health of body and peace of mind may be preserved sound and entire, through youth and manhood, to old age, it becomes equally necessary that the irresistible propensities which form a part of his nature, and which now produce the endless and ever multiplying evils with which humanity is afflicted, should be so directed as to increase and not to counteract his happiness.
如果要让人类从小到大、一直到老都完全保持身体健康、心气平和，就同样有必要对人性中一些无法抑制的癖好进行指导，用以增加而不是抵消人类的幸福；这些癖好正繁衍滋生着无数灾祸，使人类饱受折磨。
The knowledge however thus introduced will make it evident to the understanding, that by far the greater part of the misery with which man is encircled may be easily dissipated and removed; and that with mathematical precision he may be surrounded with those circumstances which must gradually increase his happiness.
可是，上面介绍的知识也会让人们清楚地懂得，到目前为止，包围着人类的绝大部分苦难都可以被轻而易举地驱散和消除，人类还可以无比精确地置身于某些环境中，这些环境一定会逐步提升人类的幸福感。
Hereafter, when the public at large shall be satisfied that these principles can and will withstand the ordeal through which they must inevitably pass; when they shall prove themselves true to the clear comprehension and certain conviction of the unenlightened as well as the learned; and when, by the irresistible power of truth, detached from falsehood, they shall establish themselves in the mind, no more to be removed but by the entire annihilation of human intellect; then the consequent practice which they direct shall be explained, and rendered easy of adoption.
以后，当一般公众相信这些原理能够并且将会经受住它们必然要通过的严峻考验的时候，当那些未受启迪的人以及有学问的人都清楚地理解并坚定地相信其真实性的时候，当它们远离谬误，带着不可抗拒的真理的力量在人类心中确立并且与人类智慧共存亡的时候，它们所指明的、随之而来的实践就会得到解释，并会很容易被采纳。
In the meantime, let no one anticipate evil, even in the slightest degree, from these principles; they are not innoxious only, but pregnant with consequences to be wished and desired beyond all others by every individual in society.
与此同时，不要让任何人认为这些原理会带来弊端，哪怕只是一丁点儿。这些原理不单只是无害，而且孕育着社会上每一个人都最梦寐以求的结果。
Some of the best intentioned among the various classes in society may still say, 'All this is very delightful and very beautiful in theory, but visionaries alone expect to see it realized.' To this remark only one reply can or ought to be made; that these principles have been carried most successfully into practice.
社会各阶层中一些最好心的人也许还会说：“从理论上说，这一切都十分让人高兴，而且也非常美好，然而只有幻想家才会指望它们变为现实。”对这种评说，能够或者应该作出的唯一答复是：这些原理已经非常成功地被付诸实践。
(The beneficial effects of this practice have been experienced for many years among a population of between two and three thousand at New Lanark, in Scotland; at Munich, in Bavaria; and in the Pauper Colonies, at Fredericks-oord.)
(许多年来，在苏格兰的新拉纳克、巴伐利亚的慕尼黑，还有弗雷德里克斯—奥德的贫民区，已有两三千人亲身体验到了实践这些原理的好处。）
The present Essays, therefore, are not brought forward as mere matter of speculation, to amuse the idle visionary who thinks in his closet, and never acts in the world; but to create universal activity, pervade society with a knowledge of its true interests, and direct the public mind to the most important object to which it can be directed; to a national proceeding for rationally forming the character of that immense mass of population which is now allowed to be so formed as to fill the world with crimes.
因此，发表这几篇论文，并非只是把它们当作思考的素材，供那些*坐静**私室冥思、从不到外面去行动的闲散的空想家消遣，而是要引发普遍行动，让全社会认识到自身的真正利益，把公众的思想尽可能引向最重要的目标上去，也就是全民行动起来，对广大民众的性格进行合理的培养，现今这些人的性格让世界充斥着犯罪行为，却得不到约束。
Shall questions of merely local and temporary interest, whose ultimate results are calculated only to withdraw pecuniary profits from one set of individuals and give them to others, engage day after day the attention of politicians and ministers; call forth petitions and delegates from the widely spread agricultural and commercial interests of the empire—and shall the well-being of millions of the poor, half-naked, half-famished, untaught, and untrained, hourly increasing to a most alarming extent in these islands, not call forth one petition, one delegate, or one rational effective legislative measure?
仅仅牵扯到地方利益与暂时利益的问题最终不过是把金钱利益从一部分人身上转移到另一部分人身上，这些问题应该日复一日地引起政客和大臣们的注意，使帝国广大农界以及商界人士为了其利益而提出*愿请**、派出代表？帝国里千百万的贫民衣不蔽体、食不果腹、未能接受培训和教育，其生存状况日益恶化，到了极为惊人的地步，难道针对他们的安康问题就不应提出一份*愿请**书、派出一名代表，或者是制定出一项合理有效的立法措施吗？
No! for such has been our education, that we hesitate not to devote years and expend millions in the detection and punishment of crimes, and in the attainment of objects whose ultimate results are, in comparison with this, insignificancy itself; and yet we have not moved one step in the true path to prevent crimes, and to diminish the innumerable evils with which mankind are now afflicted.
不！在这样的教育制度下，我们不惜花费大量时间、花费巨资对犯罪行为进行侦查和惩处，并实现一些目标——其最后结果与上述问题相比简直是微不足道；但在防止犯罪、减少当前让人类饱受折磨的无数灾祸的正确道路上，迄今为止我们毫无进展。
Are these false principles of conduct in those who govern the world to influence mankind permanently? And if not, how, and when is the change to commence?
执政者的这些错误的行为原则会永远影响人类吗？如若不会，则如何、何时开始变革呢？
These important considerations shall form the subject of the next Essay.
这些都是下一篇论文将要考虑的重要问题。