学习英文谚语，了解西方文化(3)
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(11) Man proposes, God disposes 这个说法最早见于 14 世纪，起初以“If man proposes evil, God disposes of it”。的形式出现，意思是上帝会阻止想要为恶的人。这里的God既可以指上帝，又可以指天意。就像我们常说的“尽人事，听天命”、“谋事在人，成事在天”一样，尽力而为之后，还要顺从自然的规律。毕竟，人类是自然的一部分，凡事皆不可强求，与自然的和谐是人类的生存之本。 e.g. A: Bob, how about tomorrow's driving test? Sure to pass ,huh? B: I don't how. I've done enough, I'd say. Anyway，man proposes, God disposes I am praying for good luck. (12) It is a sin to steal a pin. 该句的字面意思是：即使是偷一根针也是一种罪过。还记得那句古训吗？“勿以恶小而为之，勿以善小而不为。”冀望之切，溢于言表。不要因为犯的是小错就可以听之任之。 e.g Honesty is the best policy.Never covet what is not yours, for it is a sin to steal a pin. (13) If you play with fire, you get burnt. 正如西方谚语所说：Fire is a good servant but a bad master 。 火在人们的掌控之下时是人类股掌之上的可爱精灵：篝火给人温暖，烟花处处讨人欢心。可是一旦它的力量过大，就凌驾于人类之上，再不受人的掌握。权力亦是如此，当它逐渐膨胀不可收拾时，就成为一个暴戾的君王，统治人们的言行。所谓“玩火者必自焚，铤而走险的盲目举动会招致无穷祸患。 e.g The abuse of power has sent many people into jail, which shows that playing with fire could get you burnt. (14) Revenge is a dish that could be eaten cold. 很形象的一句谚语。所有的菜肴都必须趁热吃，唯独revenge 是个例外。“君子报仇，十年未晚。” e.g. He has done serious wrong to his friends. You just wait and see. They will not let him go scot- free. Revenge is a dish that could be eaten cold. (15) There is no smoke without fire. 无风不起浪，有水才行船。任何事情的发生都是有前兆的，“流言”的兴起有时也不完全是无中生有。虽然说是“坐得船头稳，不怕浪来颠”(相似的西谚是“Do right and fear no man”)但风起于青萍之末，一只蝴蝶扇动翅膀就可能引起大洋彼岸的一场大风暴。做人、谋事，谨慎为佳。 e.g. “No smoke without fire, "sad the detective. "Smoke signals can be misread," countered Sloan. |
