of marriage & single life 论结婚与独身

he that hath wife and children, hath given hostages to fortune; for they are impediment to great enterprises, either of virtue, or mischief. certainly, the best works, and of greatest merit for the public, have proceeded from the unmarried or childless men; which both in affection, and means, have married and endowed the public. yet it were great reason, that those that have children, should have greatest care of future times; unto which, they know, they must transmit their dearest pledges. some there are, who though they lead a single life, yet their thoughts do end with themselves, and account future times impertinences. nay, there are some other, that account wife and children but as bills of charges. nay more, there are some foolish rich covetous men, that take a pride in having no children, because they may be thought so much the richer.

有妻与子的人已经向命运之神交了抵押品了;因为妻与子是大事底阻挠物，无论是大善举或大恶行。无疑地，最好，最有功于公众的事业是出自无妻或无子的人的;这些人在情感和金钱两方面都可说是娶了公众并给以奁资了。然而依理似乎有子嗣的人应当最关心将来，他们知道他们一定得把自己最贵重的保证交代给将来的。有些人虽然过的是独身生活，他们的思想却仅限于自身，把将来认为无关紧要。并且有些人把妻与子认为仅仅是几项开销。尤有甚者，有些愚而富的悭吝人竟以无子嗣自豪，以为如此则他们在别人眼中更显得富有了。