Etiquette to society is what apparel is to the individual.

禮儀之于社會猶如衣着之于個人。

Without apparel men would go in shameful nudity which would surely lead to the corruption of morals, and without etiquette society would be in a pitiable state and the necessary intercourse between its members would be interfered with by needless offences and troubles.

人若不穿衣服，就會一絲不挂，令人恥笑，必然導緻道德敗壞，社會要是沒有禮儀，就會陷入可悲的境地，而社會成員之間所必需的交往就會被無謂的沖突和糾紛所幹擾。

If society were a train, the etiquette would be the rails along which only the train could rumble forth; if society were a state coach, the etiquette would be the wheels and axis on which only the coach could roll forward.

假定社會是一列火車，禮儀就好比軌道，火車隻能沿着它隆隆前進。

The lack of proprieties would make the most intimate friends turns to be the most decided enemies and the friendly or allied countries declare war against each other.

假定社會是一輛貴賓車，禮儀就好比輪子與軸，馬車隻有靠它們才能滾滾前進。缺了禮節，最親密的朋友會變成死敵，友好或結盟的國家會兵戎相見。

We can find many examples in the history of mankind.

我們可以從人類曆史上找到許多這種例子。

Therefore I advise you to stand on ceremony before anyone else and to take pains not to do anything against etiquette lest you give offences or make enemies.

因此我勸你對于任何人都要講究禮儀，并且盡力不做違背禮儀的事，以免冒犯他人或者樹敵。