In the past we have tended to see Mr Smith, not perhaps as a shrinking violet, still less as the gentlest and meekest of spirits, but rather as an electric politician.

• 在过去我们大概没有把史密斯先生看做是一个胆小害羞的人，更没有把他看做是一个最温柔和顺的人，而是把他看做是一个惊人的政治家。