美国语文第四册 第195期:知识的力量(1)

 　　"What an excellent thing is knowledge," said a sharp-looking, bustling¹ little man, to one who was much older than himself.  “知识是多么非同寻常啊，”一位长相瘦削，精力充沛的小个子男人对一位老年人说。

　　"Knowledge is an excellent thing," repeated he.  “知识是多么非同寻常啊，”他重复道。

　　My boys know more at six and seven years old than I did at twelve.  六七岁大的男孩子们比我十二岁的时候懂得更多。

　　They can read all sorts of books, and talk on all sorts of subjects.  他们读的书多，谈论的话题也多。

　　The world is a great deal wiser than it used to he.  世界比以前变聪明了。

　　Everybody knows something of everything now.  现在人人对所有事都有所了解。

　　Do you not think, sir, that knowledge is all excellent thing? 先生，你不认为知识真的非同寻常吗？

　　"Why, sir," replied the old man, looking grave, that depends entirely² upon the use to which it is applied³.  “这个嘛，先生，”老人回答说，他看起来很严肃，那完全取决于知识用在什么地方。

　　It may be a blessing⁴ or a curse.  知识可能是好事，也可能是祸根。

　　Knowledge is only an increase of power, and power may be a bad, as well as a good thing. 知识意味着力量的增加，而力量既可能是好事，也可能是坏事。

　　"That is what I can not understand," said the bustling little man. "How can power be a bad thing?" “我无法理解你说的话，”精力旺盛的小个子说，“力量怎么可能是坏事呢？”

　　"I will tell you," meekly⁵ replied the old man;  “我这就跟你讲，”老人温和地回答，

　　and thus he went on，When the power of a horse is under restraint,  接下来他说道：“当马匹的力量得到约束，

　　the animal is useful in bearing burdens, drawing loads, and carrying his master;  这牲口可以用来负重、拉货、驮主人；

　　but when that power is unrestrained, the horse breaks his bridle⁶, dashes to pieces the carriage that he draws, or throws his rider.  但是当这种力量不受约束，马会脱缰，飞奔的时候把车拖碎，或者把主人掀下来。

　　"I see!" said the little man. “我明白了！”小个子说道。

1 bustling   

adj.喧闹的

参考例句：

• The market was bustling with life. 市场上生机勃勃。
• This district is getting more and more prosperous and bustling. 这一带越来越繁华了。

2 entirely   

ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The fire was entirely caused by their neglect of duty. 那场火灾完全是由于他们失职而引起的。
• His life was entirely given up to the educational work. 他的一生统统献给了教育工作。

3 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

4 blessing   

n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿

参考例句：

• The blessing was said in Hebrew.祷告用了希伯来语。
• A double blessing has descended upon the house.双喜临门。

5 meekly   

adv.温顺地，逆来顺受地

参考例句：

• He stood aside meekly when the new policy was proposed. 当有人提出新政策时，他唯唯诺诺地站 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He meekly accepted the rebuke. 他顺从地接受了批评。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 bridle   

n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒

参考例句：

• He learned to bridle his temper.他学会了控制脾气。
• I told my wife to put a bridle on her tongue.我告诉妻子说话要谨慎。