of marriage & single life 論結婚與獨身

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.

有妻與子的人已經向命運之神交了抵押品了;因為妻與子是大事底阻撓物，無論是大善舉或大惡行。無疑地，最好，最有功于公眾的事業是出自無妻或無子的人的;這些人在情感和金錢兩方面都可說是娶了公眾并給以奩資了。然而依理似乎有子嗣的人應當最關心將來，他們知道他們一定得把自己最貴重的保證交代給將來的。有些人雖然過的是獨身生活，他們的思想卻僅限于自身，把將來認為無關緊要。并且有些人把妻與子認為僅僅是幾項開銷。尤有甚者，有些愚而富的慳吝人竟以無子嗣自豪，以為如此則他們在別人眼中更顯得富有了。