按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
that are free undertake dangers on their own account； and not for
the sake of others； they court hazard and go out to meet it； for
they themselves bear off the rewards of victory； and thus their
institutions contribute not a little to their courage。
Such is the general character of Europe and Asia。
24。 And there are in Europe other tribes； differing from one another
in stature； shape； and courage： the differences are those I formerly
mentioned； and will now explain more clearly。 Such as inhabit a
country which is mountainous； rugged； elevated； and well watered；
and where the changes of the seasons are very great； are likely to
have great variety of shapes among them； and to be naturally of an
enterprising and warlike disposition； and such persons are apt to have
no little of the savage and ferocious in their nature； but such as
dwell in places which are low…lying； abounding in meadows and ill
ventilated； and who have a larger proportion of hot than of cold
winds； and who make use of warm waters… these are not likely to be
of large stature nor well proportioned； but are of a broad make；
fleshy； and have black hair； and they are rather of a dark than of a
light complexion； and are less likely to be phlegmatic than bilious；
courage and laborious enterprise are not naturally in them； but may be
engendered in them by means of their institutions。 And if there be
rivers in the country which carry off the stagnant and rain water from
it； these may be wholesome and clear； but if there be no rivers； but
the inhabitants drink the waters of fountains； and such as are
stagnant and marshy； they must necessarily have prominent bellies
and enlarged spleens。 But such as inhabit a high country； and one that
is level； windy； and well…watered； will be large of stature； and
like to one another； but their minds will be rather unmanly and
gentle。 Those who live on thin； ill…watered； and bare soils； and not
well attempered in the changes of the seasons； in such a country
they are likely to be in their persons rather hard and well braced；
rather of a blond than a dark complexion； and in disposition and
passions haughty and self…willed。 For； where the changes of the
seasons are most frequent； and where they differ most from one
another； there you will find their forms； dispositions； and nature the
most varied。 These are the strongest of the natural causes of
difference； and next the country in which one lives； and the waters；
for； in general； you will find the forms and dispositions of mankind
to correspond with the nature of the country； for where the land is
fertile； soft； and well…watered； and supplied with waters from very
elevated situations； so as to be hot in summer and cold in winter； and
where the seasons are fine； there the men are fleshy； have
ill…formed joints； and are of a humid temperament； they are not
disposed to endure labor； and； for the most part； are base in
spirit； indolence and sluggishness are visible in them； and to the
arts they are dull； and not clever nor acute。 When the country is
bare； not fenced； and rugged； blasted by the winter and scorched by
the sun； there you may see the hardy； hardy； slender； with well…shaped
joints； well…braced； and shaggy； sharp； industry and vigilance
accompany such a constitution； in morals and passions they are haughty
and opinionative； inclining rather to the fierce than to the mild； and
you will find them acute and ingenious as regards the arts； and
excelling in military affairs； and likewise all the other
productions of the earth corresponding to the earth itself。 Thus it is
with regard to the most opposite natures and shapes； drawing
conclusions from them； you may judge of the rest without any risk of
error。
…THE END…