世界小史 第108期:家庭

 　　Thus, for Confucius, the family, with its brotherly and sisterly love and respect for parents, was the most important thing of all.

　　所以孔子认为家庭，兄弟姊妹之间的爱，对父母的尊敬，这些是整个生活中最重要的东西。

　　He called it 'the root of humanity'.

　　他称它们为“人性的根”。

　　However, he didn't mean that respect and obedience¹ should be shown only by a subject to his ruler, and not the other way round as well.

　　但是他的意思并不是尊敬和忠诚只应该表现在臣民对统治者，反之就不必了。

　　On the contrary, Confucius and his disciples² often came up against obstinate³ princes, and would usually tell them exactly what they thought of them.

　　相反，孔子和他的弟子们频频会见不服从的诸侯并通常都竭力向他们宣扬这个看法，For a prince must take the lead in observing the forms.

　　因为诸侯必须带头遵守这些礼节。

　　He must demonstrate a father's love in providing for his people and deal with them justly.

　　他必须履行父爱、关心他的臣民，公正地对待他们。

　　If he neglects to do so, and brings suffering on his subjects, then it serves him right if they rise up and overthrow⁴ him.

　　如果他做不到这一点，让他的臣民们受苦，那么人民推翻他便完全是他罪有应得。

　　So taught Confucius and his followers⁵.

　　孔子和他的弟子们这样教导说。

　　For a prince's first duty was to be an example to all who lived in his kingdom.

　　因为诸侯的首要职责是当他的全国居民的榜样。

 

1 obedience   

n.服从，顺从

参考例句：

• Society has a right to expect obedience of the law.社会有权要求人人遵守法律。
• Soldiers act in obedience to the orders of their superior officers.士兵们遵照上级军官的命令行动。

2 disciples   

n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 )；门徒；耶稣的信徒；（尤指）耶稣十二门徒之一

参考例句：

• Judas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. 犹大是耶稣十二门徒之一。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• "The names of the first two disciples were --" “最初的两个门徒的名字是——” 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险

3 obstinate   

adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的

参考例句：

• She's too obstinate to let anyone help her.她太倔强了，不会让任何人帮她的。
• The trader was obstinate in the negotiation.这个商人在谈判中拗强固执。

4 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

5 followers   

追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件

参考例句：

• the followers of Mahatma Gandhi 圣雄甘地的拥护者
• The reformer soon gathered a band of followers round him. 改革者很快就获得一群追随者支持他。