少年维特的烦恼 英文版 The Sorrows of Young Werther
歌德 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
MAY 22.
That the life of man is but a dream, many a man has surmisedheretofore; and I, too, am everywhere pursued by this feeling.When I consider the narrow limits within which our active andinquiring faculties are confined; when I see how all our energiesare wasted in providing for mere necessities, which again have nofurther end than to prolong a wretched existence; and then thatall our satisfaction concerning certain subjects of investigationends in nothing better than a passive resignation, whilst we amuseourselves painting our prison-walls with bright figures and brilliantlandscapes, -- when I consider all this, Wilhelm, I am silent.I examine my own being, and find there a world, but a world ratherof imagination and dim desires, than of distinctness and livingpower. Then everything swims before my senses, and I smile anddream while pursuing my way through the world.
All learned professors and doctors are agreed that children do notcomprehend the cause of their desires; but that the grown-up shouldwander about this earth like children, without knowing whence theycome, or whither they go, influenced as little by fixed motives,but guided like them by biscuits, sugar-plums, and the rod, -- thisis what nobody is willing to acknowledge; and yet I think it ispalpable.
I know what you will say in reply; for I am ready to admit thatthey are happiest, who, like children, amuse themselves with theirplaythings, dress and undress their dolls, and attentively watchthe cupboard, where mamma has locked up her sweet things, and,when at last they get a delicious morsel, eat it greedily, andexclaim, "More!" These are certainly happy beings; but othersalso are objects of envy, who dignify their paltry employments,and sometimes even their passions, with pompous titles, representingthem to mankind as gigantic achievements performed for their welfareand glory. But the man who humbly acknowledges the vanity of allthis, who observes with what pleasure the thriving citizen convertshis little garden into a paradise, and how patiently even the poorman pursues his weary way under his burden, and how all wish equallyto behold the light of the sun a little longer, -- yes, such a manis at peace, and creates his own world within himself; and he isalso happy, because he is a man. And then, however limited hissphere, he still preserves in his bosom the sweet feeling of liberty,and knows that he can quit his prison whenever he likes.