胡适留学日记二六、拨特劳“吾邻”之界说

(七月廿四日)


  英国国教大师拨特劳主教(Bishop Joseph Bulter,1692—1752)尝下“吾邻”之界说曰:

  Our neighbor is "that part of the universe, that part of mankind, that part of our country, which comes under our immediate notice, acquaintance and influence, and which which we have to do."

(吾邻即“世界,人类,国家之一部分,而为吾人直接视听之下,交游所及,势力所被。”)


  在当日视之,此界说似甚狭。盖十八世纪之初叶,吾人直接视听之下,交游所及,势力所被,能有几人?若在今日,则世界人类何莫非在吾人直接视听之下乎?一弹轰于奥之一城,全世界皆闻之。一言发于英之议会,全世界亦皆闻之。即如今日巴黎之谋杀案大审判,其法庭上一言一动,天下人皆得读之,如身在其地也(指巴黎Madame Caillaux一案)。若以拨氏“吾邻”之界说施诸今日,则全世界皆吾邻耳,世界大同之日不远矣。
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