Cassandra’s Dream A Tragedy of Human Nature
Posted on 七月 16, 2008
Filed Under My Writing | 2 Comments
Cassandra, the beauty having the gift of prophecy. In Greek mythology, Cassandra (also known as Alexandra) was the daughter of King Priam and Queen Hecuba of Troy. Her beauty caused Apollo to grant her the gift of prophecy. However, when she did not return his love, Apollo placed a curse on her so that no one would ever believe her predictions.
The movie’s name, Cassandra’s Dream, intimates us that it would be an implausible story.
Maybe we, normal people, do have choices whatever difficulties we faced up with. However, few of people can insist this thought when they were in some situations. As the saying goes, he who avoids temptation avoids the sin. Temptation is always in our way. If plus some fear or panic, we may be fools. We just lose all the mind about “principles” or “Good” or “Integrity”. Like Uncle Howard said “survive”.
Yeah,”survive” not “live”. Humans live, animals survive. Live means not only being alive but also a good future, a real life, maybe good cars, big house and women, too. There is a crook in the lot of every one. The problem is how could we find the third choice? We could be driven crazy by anything at anytime. No matter how normal your life is, accidents or affairs will come to you themselves. This may depress us itself.
This essay is not a methodology. I’m finding the way myself. Any thoughts would be welcomed. J
1000 English Mottos Part 3
Posted on 七月 16, 2008
Filed Under Proverb & Idiom | Leave a Comment
201. All is not gold that glitters.
闪光未必尽黄金。
202. Money is the root of evil.
金钱是罪恶的根源。
203. Money makes the mare go.
有钱能使鬼推磨。
204. All things are obedient to money.
一切事物都服从于金钱。
205. Before gold, even kings take off their hats.
在黄金面前，国王也要脱帽。
206. Money is the key that opens all doors.
金钱是打开一切门户的钥匙。
207. Beauty is potent, but money is more potent.
美貌固有力，金钱力更大。
208. Avarice increases with wealth.
越有钱，越贪钱。
209. The money the miser hoards will do him no good.
守财奴积财，对自己毫无好处。
210. What is wealth good for, If it brings melancholy?
财富如带忧郁来，有了财富有何用？
######. Gold will not buy anything.
黄金不能买来一切。
212. The chief aim of man is not to get money.
人的主要目的并不是赚钱。
213. Those who believe money can do everything are frequently prepared to do everything for money.
相信金钱万能的人，往往会一切为了金钱。
214. Wealth makes worship.
财富能使人拜倒。
215. Little wealth, little care.
财富少，烦恼也少。
216. A moneyless man goes fast through the market.
身上无钱过市快。
217. Poverty is not a crime.
贫非罪。
218. Poverty is not a disgrace, but theft is a disgrace.
贫穷不可耻，偷窃乃足羞。
219. Better be poor than wicked.
宁可做穷人，不可做坏人。
220. Poverty is not a sufficient cause for disgrace, but poverty without resolution to help oneself, is a disgrace.
贫穷不足为耻，穷而不能自立方可耻。
221. Poverty is the mother of health.
贫穷是健康之母。
222. Be considerate toward the poor.
应常为穷人着想。
223. Poor and content is rich and rich enough.
人能安贫就是富。
224. Poverty parteth fellowship.
贫穷断友情。
225. Poverty makes a man mean.
贫困使人小气。
226. Nothing to be got without pains but poverty.
只有贫穷是可以不劳而获的东西。
227. Do not through fear of poverty surrender liberty.
不要因为怕贫困而舍去自由。
228. Poverty and love are hard to hide.
贫困与爱情，都难瞒过人。
229. Poverty breeds strife.
贫困引起冲突。
230. The poor man wants much, the miser everything.
穷人要求多，财迷则样样都要。
231. The dainties of the great are the tears of the poor.
富人口中的美味是穷人眼中的泪水。
232. Poverty on an old man’s back is a heavy burden.
老而贫困，负担最沉。
233. Beggars must (should) be no choosers.
行乞的哪能挑肥拣瘦；饥不择食。
234. A lamb is as dear to a poor man as an ox to the rich.
穷人眼中的一只羊，贵似富人一头牛。
235. A light purse makes a heavy heart.
钱袋轻时心事重。
236. Poor without debt is better than a prince.
穷人无债胜王子。
237. Happy is he who owes nothing.
无债一身轻。
238. Money borrowed is soon sorrowed.
借钱才到手，立刻便担忧。
239. He that goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing.
向人借债是自寻烦恼。
240. Better go to bed supperless than rise in debt.
与其负债起身，不如空腹上床。
241. Out of debt, out of danger.
脱债就脱险。
242. A pound of care will not pay an ounce of debt.
深忧偿不了小债。
243. He is the wisest man who does not think himself so.
不自作聪明便是最聪明。
244. Wise men have their mouth in their heart, fools their heart in their mouth.
聪明人嘴在心里，愚蠢人心在嘴边。
245. Wise men learn by other men’s mistakes; fools by their own.
聪明人从旁人的错误中吸取教训，愚笨人则从自身的错误中吸取教训。
246. He is wise that knows when he’s well enough.
知足为智者。
247. A wise man cares not for what he cannot have.
智者不强求。
248. He is wise that hath wit enough for his own affairs.
明智者有足够的机智处理自己的事情。
249. No man is born wise.
聪明非天生。
250. A wise man will make tools of what comes to hand.
能随机应变的人是聪明人。
251. A word is enough to the wise.
对明智者一言已足。
252. He is the wise man who is the honest man.
正直的人就是有见识的人。
253. A wise man thinks all that he says; a fool says all that he thinks.
聪明人想了才说，愚笨的人想着就说。
254. The wise hand doth not all that the foolish mouth speaks.
聪明的手不做愚蠢的嘴所说的事。
255. A flow of words is no proof of wisdom.
口若悬河，不能证明真有才智。
256. It is easy to be wise after the event.
事后的诸葛亮容易做。
257. The wise man knows he knows nothing, the fool thinks the knows all.
聪明人自认一无所知，愚笨人自负无所不晓。
258. Fools learn nothing from wise men; but wise men learn much from fools.
愚人不能从智者那里学到什么；而智者却能从愚人那里学到很多。
259. A fool always comes short of his reckoning.
愚人常短于心计。
260. A fool’s heart dances on his lips.
愚人的心挂在唇边。
261. A fool always finds a greater fool than himself.
愚人总以为旁人比自己更傻。
262. A man may talk like a wise man and yet act like a fool.
一个人可能说话如智者，而行为象愚人。
263. The more riches a fool hath, the greater fool he is.
愚人越富越蠢。
264. Never challenge a fool to do wrong.
不要怂恿愚人干错事。
265. It is better to please a fool than to anger him.
对愚人最好是使他高兴，而不是惹他发怒。
266. He is a fool who cannot be angry, but he is a wise man who will not.
不会发怒是蠢人，不愿发怒是聪明人。
267. ‘Tis altogether vain to learn wisdom and yet live foolishly.
枉自学聪明，却做愚蠢事。
268. Wit without learning is like a tree without fruit.
没有学识的机智，犹如没有果实的树。
269. No man is wise at all times.
世上无一贯明智的人。
270. Many heads are better than one.
几个脑袋总比一个脑袋强；三个臭皮匠，顶个诸葛亮。
271. Virtue never grows old.
美德永不老。
272. Virtue is the only true nobility.
万事不如美德高。
273. Virtue is a jewel of great price.
美德乃是无价宝。
274. He that soweth virtue shall reap fame.
播下美德，收获名望。
275. To be virtuous is to do good.
行善即是有德。
276. Glory is the shadow of virtue.
荣誉是美德的影子。
277. There is no virtue that poverty destroyeth not.
没有贫穷不能破坏的美德。
278. The first step to virtue is to abstrain from vice.
不作恶是走向美德的第一步。
279. No good building without a good foundation.
基础不良的好建筑物是没有的。
280. One good turn deserves another.
善行应有善报；善良的行为应得善良行为的报答。
281. He that returns good for evil obtains the victory.
胜利属于以德报怨的人。
282. We should never remember the benefits we have offered nor forget the favor received.
我有德于人不应记；人有德于我不可忘。
283. If they say you are good, ask yourself if it be true.
若有人称赞，自问对不对。
284. He who avoids temptation avoids the sin.
不受诱惑就免于罪恶。
285. A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder.
问心无愧，打雷也能睡。
286. Never be weary of well doing.
不要厌倦做好事。
287. Of evil grain, no good seed can come.
坏谷无好种。
288. That which is evil is soon learnt.
恶行易学。
289. No vice goes alone.
恶事不单行。
290. An evil lesson is soon learned.
恶习易染。
291. A bad thing never dies.
坏事传千年。
292. Evil comes to us by ells and goes away by inches.
罪恶于人，尺进寸退。
293. The maintaining of one vice costs more than ten virtues.
保持一桩恶事的代价超过于十件好事。
294. They that do nothing learn to do ill.
游手好闲，容易学坏。
295. A wicked man is his own hell.
坏人作恶，自造地狱。
296. Those who eat best and drink best often do worst.
吃得好，喝得好，坏事常常免不了。
297. He who has done ill once will do it again.
一次干坏事，便有第二次。
298. There is no going heaven in a sedan.
坐轿上天堂，从来无此事。
299. An ill life, an ill end.
恶有恶报。
300. A wilful fault has no excuse and deserves no pardon.
不能宽恕故意犯下的错误。
Tongue Twister
Posted on 七月 14, 2008
Filed Under English Culture, Oral English | Leave a Comment
Here are some English tongue twisters. Enjoy your oral pain! J
- A big black bear sat on a big black bug.
- A big black bug bit a big black bear and made the big black bear bleed blood.
- A big black bug bit a big black dog on his big black nose!
- A loyal warrior will rarely worry why we rule.
- A noise annoys an oyster, but a noisy noise annoys an oyster more!
- Ann and Andy’s anniversary is in April.
- Bake big batches of bitter brown bread.
- Big black bugs bleed blue black blood but baby black bugs bleed blue blood.
- Black background, brown background.
- Blake’s black bike’s back brake bracket block broke.
- Blue glue gun, green glue gun.
- Caution: Wide Right Turns
- Each Easter Eddie eats eighty Easter eggs.
- Elizabeth has eleven elves in her elm tree.
- Elizabeth’s birthday is on the third Thursday of this month.
- Fresh fried fish, Fish fresh fried, Fried fish fresh, Fish fried fresh.
- Freshly fried fresh flesh
- Green glass globes glow greenly.
- He threw three balls.
- He threw three free throws.
- Here’s an easy game to play. Here’s an easy thing to say:
- How many cookies could a good cook cook If a good cook could cook cookies? A good cook could cook as much cookies as a good cook who could cook cookies.
- How may saws could a see-saw saw if a see-saw could saw saws?
- How much oil boil can a gum boil boil if a gum boil can boil oil?
- I thought a thought. But the thought I thought wasn’t the thought I thought I thought. If the thought I thought I thought had been the thought I thought, I wouldn’t have thought so much.
- I wish I were what I was when I wished I were what I am.
- I wish to wish the wish you wish to wish, but if you wish the wish the witch wishes, I won’t wish the wish you wish to wish.
- I wish you were a fish in my dish
- If two witches would watch two watches, which witch would watch which watch?
- If you notice this notice, you will notice that this notice is not worth noticing.
- It’s not the cough that carries you off, it’s the coffin they carry you off in!
- Little red lorry
- Miss Smith’s fish-sauce shop seldom sells shellfish.
- Never trouble about trouble until trouble troubles you!
- Nothing is worth thousands of deaths.
- Picky people pick Peter Pan Peanut Butter. Peter Pan Peanut is the peanut picky people pick.
- Ripe white wheat reapers reap ripe white wheat right.
- She said she should sit.
- She sells sea shells on the seashore. The seashells she sells are seashells she is sure.
- Shut up the shutters and sit in the shop.
- Silly sheep weep and sleep.
- Six shining cities, six shining cities, six shining cities.
- Six sick sea-serpents swam the seven seas.
- Six sleek swans swam swiftly southwards
- Stupid superstition!
- The batter with the butter is the batter that is better!
- The great Greek grape growers grow great Greek grapes.
- The soldier’s shoulder surely hurts!
- There those thousand thinkers were thinking how did the other three thieves go through.
- There’s a sandwich on the sand which was sent by a sane witch.
- Two tiny tigers take two taxis to town.
- Very well, very well, very well …
- What noise annoys an oyster most? A noisy noise annoys an oyster most.
- Willie’s really weary.
-
How much dew would a dewdrop drop if a dewdrop could drop dew?
如果一颗露珠会掉下露水，那么一颗露珠会掉下多少露水呢？
-
The driver was drunk and drove the doctor’s car directly into the deep ditch.
这个司机喝醉了，他把医生的车开进了一个大深沟里。
-
Sandy sniffed sweet smelling sunflower seeds while sitting beside a swift stream.
桑迪坐在湍急的小溪边尽情地品味着葵花子的香味。
-
A snow-white swan swam swiftly to catch a slowly-swimming snake in a lake.
湖中一只雪白的天鹅快速地游动着去追赶一条慢慢游动的蛇。
-
A pleasant peasant keeps a pleasant pheasant and both the peasant and the pheasant are having a pleasant time together.
一位和气的农民养了一只伶俐的野鸡，而且这位和气的农民和这只伶俐的野鸡在一起度过了一段很美好的时光。
Secret Lady Daily English 20060816
Posted on 七月 14, 2008
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Q：Arouse 、 rouse 两字有什么分别？
A：查《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》， arouse 是「激起」或「唤醒」， rouse 也是「激起」或「唤醒」，无法看出有什么分别。事实上，两字也大致通用，例如： I aroused / roused him early in the morning （我大清早就把他唤醒）。
一般而言， arouse 多指激发感情， rouse 则多指把人激发，所以 rouse 的受词（ object ）往往是人， arouse 的受词往往是说感情的字，例如：
（1 ） The proposed sales tax has aroused strong opposition （征收销售税的提议，引起强烈反对）。
（2 ） The sight of the woman holding her dead child aroused my pity （看见那女人抱死去的孩子，令我动了同情心）。
（3 ） A loud fanfare of trumpets roused everyone （一阵响亮喇叭声，令大家精神一振）。
（4 ） His shamelessness roused me to anger （他非常无耻，令我心头火起）。
留意头两句用 roused 、后两句用 aroused 也可以，只是没有那么常见。
此外，说挑起性欲，习惯用 arouse 一字，不用 rouse ，名词是 arousal ，例如：
（1 ） The rapist said the victim’s miniskirt aroused him （那强奸犯说，受害人穿的迷你裙挑起他的情欲）。
（2 ） He looked at the girl, and swallowed hard in apparent arousal （他望那女郎，猛咽口水，显然欲火烧心）。
Q2：May you trust your God that you are exactly where you are meant to be 一语，是什么意思？
A2：这句似乎不必特别解释，翻译成中文就可以：愿你信赖上帝，明白自己目前的境遇，正是上天的安排
Secret Lady Daily English 20060815
Posted on 七月 14, 2008
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Q：The company was to blame for shrinking revenues 这一句，可不可以改作 The company was blamed for shrinking revenues ？
A：The company was blamed / was to blame for shrinking revenues 两个说法都正确，只是意思有点不同。
Blame 有两个意思，一是「责备」，用法和普通及物动词（ transitive verb ）相同，有主动（ active voice ）和被动语态（ passive voice ），例如：
He blamed the pedestrian for the accident / The pedestrian was blamed for the accident （他责备那个引起这宗意外事故的行人/那行人因引起这宗意外事故而被责备）。
Blame 的另一个意思，是「应负上过失的责任」或「应受责备」，习惯用在 be to （即 am to 、 was to 等）之后，例如：
The pedestrian was to blame for the accident （论这宗意外事故，过失在那行人）。这一句的 pedestrian 看似句子主词（ subject ），却可以说是 blame 的受词（ object ），所以 blame 之后不可再有受词。这句式颇为奇怪，不少初学者都感迷惑，也没有其他主动、被动语态。
读者也许会问： The pedestrian was to be blamed for the accident 不是被动语态吗？按 be to 一般解作「将会」， He was to blame the pedestrian for the accident / The pedestrian was to be blamed for the accident 即「他将会责备那行人引起这宗意外事故」，这是上述 blame 的第一个意思，和 The pedestrian was to blame for the accident 不同。
读者说的两句，
The company was blamed for shrinking revenues，意思是「由于收入减少，公司受到责备」，
The company was to blame for shrinking revenues，意思是「收入减少，过失在公司」
Secret Lady Daily English 20060813
Posted on 七月 14, 2008
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Wellington served as commander of the British forces in the Peninsular War between Britain and France. As the war progressed, the soldiers of his army became adept at living off the country. On one occasion, Wellington himself caught a soldier staggering along carrying a stolen beehive.
“Hallo, sir, where did you get that beehive?” asked Wellington.
The soldier obviously did not recognise his commander nor understand his question, for he replied, “The beehives, sir, are over that hill. But you had better hurry before they have all been taken.”
威灵顿在英、法半岛战争之中任英军司令，其间他麾下的士兵渐渐精通取之于民用之于我。有一次，威灵顿亲自碰到一名士兵偷了个蜂巢，抱在路上走，走得十分吃力。
威灵顿问：「喂，老兄，蜂巢是哪来的？」
那士兵显然不认得他的指挥官，也不明白威灵顿这个问题的含义。他回答说：「老兄，蜂巢在山的那边。你最好快点走，迟了，恐怕都被拿去了。」
【附注】 Adept 是「精通」或「熟练」，其后习惯用 in 或 at 带出精通的事情，例如： He was adept in / at copywriting （他擅长撰写广告）。
Adept 也可用来形容技巧，例如： His paintings are remarkable for the adept use of colours （他的油画，色彩运用精妙，殊足称道）。
Live off 指「靠……过活」，常带贬义，例如： He lived off his wife all his life （他一生都靠老婆养活）。说士兵 live off the country ，是指靠当地出产的粮食过活。本文的 live off 当然带「非法取得粮食」含义。
Secret Lady Daily English 20060812
Posted on 七月 14, 2008
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Q: 翻译 quality 一字，quality 是「质素」还是「素质」？有人说「素质」是新中国词语，以前没有，对吗？
A:春秋时代《管子．势》说用兵宜主静，而求静必须素质虚空：「素质不留，与地同极。」「素质」不是新中国词语，一九七一年初版的梁实秋《最新实用汉英辞典》以及一九七四年初版的何容《国语日报辞典》，都只有「素质」，没有「质素」。
至于「质素」一词，出现时代似乎晚于「素质」，一九四七年初版的《辞海》有「质素」而无「素质」，但这两个词其实可以通用。当然，翻译 quality 一字，不一定要用「素质」或「质素」，例如： One important quality of gold is its malleability （黄金的一个重要特质，是延展力强）。
Quality 和「素质」最不同的，是 quality 可用在名词之前，作形容词，指「上等的」，推销员、商业广告等尤其爱用这个字，例如：
（1 ） We are a company specialising in quality self-assembly furniture （敝公司专门经营上等的自行装配家具）。
（2 ） The restaurant aims to provide quality food and service （这家餐厅务求膳食精美，服务优良）。这个 quality ，不可直译做「素质」，而现代汉语必须以英文为骨汉字为肉，那怎么办？有现代汉语高手想到「优质」二字。从此优质家具、优质膳食、优质服务、优质 XYZ 等大行其道，「上品」、「一流」、「高级」等中文词语一扫而空，是之谓优质汉语
Sucirst 点评：
翻译成 质量 即可。
1000 English Mottos Part 2
Posted on 七月 14, 2008
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101. Lying is the first step to the gallows.
说谎是上断头台的第一步。
102. Waste not, want not.
俭以防匮。
103. From saving comes having.
富有来自节俭。
104. A penny saved is a penny gained.
省一文是一文。
105. Take care of the pence and the pound will take care of themselves.
金钱积少便成多。
106. Frugality is an estate alone.
节俭本身就是一宗财产。
107. He that regards not a penny, will lavish a pound.
小钱不知节省，大钱将滥花。
108. Small gains bring great wealth.
积小利，成巨富。
109. Many a little makes a mickle.
积少便成多。
110. As the touchstone tries gold, so gold tries man.
试金之石可试金，正如黄金能试人。
111. Courage and resolution are the spirit and soul of virtue.
勇敢和坚决是美德的灵魂。
112. The path to glory is always rugged.
光荣之路常坎坷。
113. Nothing is difficult to the man who will try.
世上无难事，只要人肯试。
114. The fire is the test of gold; adversity of strong man.
烈火试真金，困苦炼壮士。
115. Great hopes make great man.
远大的希望造就伟大的人物。
116. No way is impossible to courage.
勇士面前无险路。
117. A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner.
平静的大海决不能造就出熟练的水手。
118. The good seaman is known in bad weather.
坏天气下才能识得出良好的海员；要识好海员，须凭坏天气。
119. The best hearts are always the bravest.
行为最勇敢的人心地总是最善良。
120. We must not lie down, and cry, God help us.
求神不如求己。
121. He that falls today may be up again tomorrow.
今天跌倒的人也许明天就会站起。
122. Rome was not built in a day.
罗马并非一日可建成；坚持必成。
123. Success belongs to the persevering.
胜利属于坚忍不拔的人。
124. We must repeat a thousand and one times that perseverance is the only road to success.
我们要多次重申：不屈不挠是取得胜利的唯一道路。
125. Perseverance is failing nineteen times and succeeding the twentieth.
十九次失败，到第二十次获得成功，这就叫坚持。
126. Step by step the ladder is ascended.
登梯需要逐级登。
127. Adversity leads to prosperity.
困苦通向昌盛。
128. Patience and application will carry us through.
忍耐和专心会使我们度过难关。
129. Fortune often rewards with interest those that have patience to wait for her.
做事只要有耐心，到头总会有好运；耐心候好运，好运常会来。
130. All things will come round to him who will but wait.
只要肯等待，一切都会按时来。
131. Constant dropping wears the stone.
滴水不绝可穿石。
132. Omelets are not made without breaking of eggs.
鸡蛋不打破，蛋卷做不成；不甘愿吃苦，则预期效果达不到。
133. The world is a ladder for some to go up and others to go down.
世界好似一把梯，有人上去有人下。
134. There needs a long apprenticeship to understand the mystery of the world’s trade.
要知世事奥秘多，须要长期作学徒。
135. Life is sweet.
生活是可爱的；人无不好生(恶死)。
136. Where there is life, there is hope.
生命不息，希望长在。
137. Life is not all beer and skittles.
人生并不全是吃喝玩乐。
138. Much water runs by the mill that the miller knows not of.
眼前发生许多事，有些我们并不知。
139. Fortune knocks once at least at every man’s door.
人人都有走运的一天。
140. If you are too fortunate, you will not know yourself; if you are too unfortunate, nobody will know you.
运气太好，见人不睬；运气太坏，无人理会。
141. Every man is the architect of his own fortune.
每一个人都是自身幸福的建筑师。
142. Happy is he who knows his follies in his youth.
记得年轻时所作蠢事的人是幸福的。
143. Misfortunes never (seldom) come alone (single).
祸不单行。
144. Misfortune is a good teacher.
不幸是良好的教师。
145. Misfortunes come at night.
祸常生于不测。
146. Misfortunes tell us what fortune is.
厄运临头后，才知幸运贵。
147. Adversity makes a man wise, not rich.
患难能使人聪明，但不能使人富有。
148. Live and learn.
活到老，学到老。
149. It is never too old to learn.
为学不怕年高。
150. A man becomes learned by asking questions.
要长学问，就得多问；多问则业精。
151. There is no royal road to learning.
学问无坦途。
152. He who is ashamed of asking is ashamed of learning.
畏问之人耻于学。
153. What is learned in the cradle lasts till the grave.
婴孩时期学到的东西，老死不会忘记。
154. Learning makes a good man better and ill man worse.
知识能使好人更好，坏人更坏。
155. Soon learnt, soon forgotten.
学得快，忘得快。
156. Learn young, learn fair.
为学趁年青，既学须学好。
157. A lazy youth, a lousy age.
少时懒惰老来苦。
158. He that knows nothing, doubts nothing.
无知即无疑。
159. A good name keeps its luster in the dark.
良好的名声在黑暗中也能闪闪发光。
160. Fame is a magnifying glass.
名誉是放大镜。
161. A good fame is better than a good face.
美名胜于美貌。
162. Fame like a river is narrowest at its source and broadest afar off.
名誉如河流，发源处最狭，愈远愈宽广。
163. Take honour from me and my life is done.
没有名誉，就没有了生命。
164. Beware of him who regards not his reputation.
要谨防不重名誉的人。
165. It is better to die with honour than to live in infamy.
光荣的死胜于羞辱的生。
166. Adversity successfully overcome is the highest glory.
成功地克服困难是最大的光荣。
167. Reputation is often got without merit and lost without fault.
无功得名是常事，无过失名也是常事。
168. Your father’s honour is to you but a second-hand honour.
对于你来说，父亲的荣誉只是间接的荣誉。
169. Never trust another what you should do yourself.
自己该做的事，决不要委托给旁人做。
170. It is an equal failing to trust everybody, and to trust nobody.
信任一切与不信任任何人，同样是弱点。
171. Eat a peck of salt with a man before you trust him.
在你信任一个人之前，先要深入了解他。
172. If you trust before you try, you may repent before you die.
不经考验就依赖，不到瞑目便后悔。
173. Never trust to fine words.
切勿轻信漂亮话。
174. Trust not a great weight to a slender thread.
细线挂重物，终究不可靠。
175. Be just to all, but trust not all.
要对一切人都公正，但不要对一切人都信任。
176. Trust thyself only, and another shall not betray thee.
只有信任你自己，旁人才不能出卖你。
177. Self-trust is the essence of heroism.
自信为英雄品质之本。
178. Confidence is a plant of slow growth.
信任是一种生长缓慢的植物。
179. Truth is the daughter of time.
真理是时间的女儿。
180. Truth hath a good face, but ill clothes.
真理面目善良；但衣衫褴褛。
181. Truth and roses have thorns about them.
真理和玫瑰，身旁都有刺。
182. Truth may be blamed, but shall never be shamed.
真理可能会被责难，但绝不会受羞辱。
183. Though malice may darken truth, it cannot put it out.
恶意可以糟蹋真理；但无法消灭真理。
184. Truth will prevail.
真理必胜。
185. Truth’s best ornament is nakedness.
不加掩饰乃是真理的最好装饰。
186. Facts are stubborn things.
事实是最顽强的东西。
187. Sooner or later, the truth comes to light.
真相迟早会大白。
188. The truths we least like to hear are those which it is most to our advantage to know.
我们最不愿意听到的事实，往往是我们知道了会大有好处的事实。
189. Falsehood like a nettle stings those who meddle with it.
谎言似荨麻，玩弄会刺手。
190. There is many a fair thing full false.
有许多说得好听的东西充满了谬误。
191. Though a lie be well dressed, it is ever overcome.
谎言装扮虽不错，到头总会被揭露。
192. A lie begets a lie till they come to generations.
谎言生谎言，谎言世代传。
193. A false tongue will hardly speak truth.
假舌不会吐真言。
194. False with one can be false with two.
对一个人虚假，也会对两个人虚假。
195. He that will lie will steal.
会说谎的人也就会偷窃。
196. Gossiping and lying go together.
流言常和谎话并行。
197. Equivocation is first cousin to a lie.
含糊其词是谎话的近亲。
198. A great talker is a great liar.
最会夸夸其谈的人也最会说谎。
199. The greatest liars talk most of themselves.
最爱自吹自擂的人是最大的说谎者。
200. Lying rides upon debt’s back.
负债的人谎话多。
A Japanese Poem Translation
Posted on 七月 13, 2008
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从Kenji的space上看到了一首貌似流传比较广的小诗，试着翻译了一下：
Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
莫伫吾坟前独泣
吾未曾眠，吾不在彼
吾作千缕风吹散
吾若雪原美钻般灿烂
吾作普裕五谷之阳
吾若秋日细雨行行
静谧小晨君乍醒
廊前雨燕舞轻灵
吾作情鸟冲高翅
吾若星光顾归迟
莫伫吾坟前清潸
吾恋人间纵归仙
这首英语小诗，两句为一韵对，所以翻译的时候，尽量用了古文的形式保持相邻两句见的押韵。前半段感觉很难处理，可能以后可以尝试用诗经的某些手法来解决。
现在的翻译中，每句都出现了“吾“这个人称，可以说是特色，也可以说是败笔；因为这也是照搬英文的原文格式和习惯。中文，尤其是古文里这么作是感觉很怪的，这也是为什么开头比较难处理的原因。
这诗在Google baidu里没几个一样的结果，我就当再抛一块砖了
哈哈 ~
Secret Lady Daily English 20060811
Posted on 七月 12, 2008
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Q：This is she / her （这就是她）、 It is she / her （那就是她）这两句，应用 her 还是 she ？
A：语法上，应说 This / It is she 。
读者也许会问： This 是句子主词（ subject ），「她」是受词（ object ），为什么不用受词 her ？ I saw her （我看见她）、 I followed her （我跟她）等句子，总不能改作 I saw she 、 I followed she 吧？
其实 be （包括 is 、 were 等变体）和 see 、 follow 等动词不同。 See 、 follow 是及物动词（ transitive verb ），其后必须用受词。 Be 则是个连系动词（ linking verb / link verb / copular verb / copulative verb ），用以表示主词「是」什么，那「什么」和「主词」是相等的， This / It is she 等于 She is this / it ，所以不应用受词。
《圣经．路加福音》第二十一章说，耶稣曾叫人提防假耶稣： Many will come in my name, saying, “I am he!”（不少人会借我的名字前来，说：「我就是他！」）
I am he 、 This is she 等语法相同。
不过，上述道理不少人都不明白，英语国家的人也不例外。你常会听到这样的电话对话：”Hello, may I speak to Mary, please?”"This is her.”（「喂，请玛丽听电话好吗？」「我就是玛丽。」）说 This is her 的人，甚至会认为 This is she 不正确。要避免无谓之争，回答电话可用 This is Mary 等代替 This is she 。
至于一般写作，则无论如何应说 This / It is she ，例如： It is she who has captivated the stranger （是她把那陌生人迷住了）。假如说 It is her whom 等等，就错得厉害。
Secret Lady Daily English 20060810
Posted on 七月 12, 2008
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Ｑ: 某网站”A Word a Day”（一日一字）专栏授 lay low 一词，例句是 He decided to lay low for awhile until his friend forgot that he had damaged his car （他决定沉寂一会儿，待朋友把他毁坏汽车的事遗忘）。这一句 lay low 二字用得正确吗？
Ａ:这句英文有两个错误，一是 for awhile ，一是 lay low 。
Awhile 是副词（ adverb ），可修饰动词，意思是「片刻」或 for a short time ；
例句： Let’s sleep awhile （我们小睡一下吧）
a while 则是名词，可用在介系词（ preposition ）之后，意思是「一段时间」或 for a period of time 。
例句： Let’s sleep for a while （我们睡一会儿吧）。
You will see it in a while （你一会儿就会看见）这一句，不可写作 in awhile ；
He decided to lay low for awhile 也应改作 He decided to lay low for a while / to lay low awhile 。
另外 to lay low 这里也用错了。
To lay low 一般指「使病倒」或「使倒下」，
例句1： He was laid low by the flu （他患感冒，病倒了）。
例句2： I laid him low with a blow （我一拳把他打倒了）。
to lie low 才是「沉寂」或「隐蔽」，
例句：The serial murderer lay low for ten years, and many came to believe that he was dead （他连续谋杀多人之后，蛰伏十年，很多人都以为他死了）。
读者示下那一句， to lay low 就应改为 to lie low 。
Lay （放置）的过去式、完成式是 laid 、 laid ； lie （躺）的过去式、完成式则是 lay 、 lain 。两字意思、用法完全不同，必须分辨清楚。
Secret Lady Daily English 20060807
Posted on 七月 12, 2008
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At the end of the Mexican War in 1848, General William Tecumseh Sherman was sent to survey the lands of New Mexico and Arizona, which the Americans had won from the Mexicans.
On his return President Taylor asked Sherman what he thought of the lands. Had they been worth fighting for? Recalling the arid lands from which he had just returned, Sherman replied, “Between you and me, sir, I feel that we’ll have to go to war again.”
Taylor was horrified.”What for?” he exclaimed.
“To make them take the darn country back,” said Sherman.
一八四八年，墨西哥战争结束，威廉．特库姆塞．谢尔曼将军奉命到新墨西哥、亚利桑那两地视察。这是美国从墨西哥人手上夺得的领土。
谢尔曼视察后回来，泰勒总统问他觉得新增的领土怎样，值不值得打那场战争。谢尔曼想到他刚刚离开的旱土地，回答说：「这一点只可以你知我知：我认为得再打一场。」
泰勒大吃一惊，失声问：「为什么？」
谢尔曼说：「否则墨西哥人不会把那他妈的土地拿回去。」
【附注】 Darn 者， damn 也。 Damn 本是「使下地狱」的意思，从前算是个非常无礼的字，印刷上会变成 d-n 或 d***，口头上则会变成 darn 、 dratted 、 dashed 等，以免令人不快。今天，其他四字母词勃兴， damn 的威力大不如前，往往可以直说无妨， darn 等变体就显得过时了
Secret Lady Daily English 20060804
Posted on 七月 12, 2008
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Q：读英文报纸，见到 Indonesia has been hit by a second tsunami in as many years 一语， in as many 这说法是怎样用的？
A:查《牛津高阶英汉双解词典》，也有「 He made ten mistakes in as many lines 他在十行中就出了十个错」例句。
英文一个常用句式，是句子先说一个数字，然后用 as many 说数目上和这数字相同的事物，所以介系词（ preposition ）不一定用 in ，例如：
（1 ） Seven topics were discussed at as many （= seven ） meetings （七个会议讨论了七个题目）。
（2 ） They beat us in three football games, but on as many （= three ） occasions they were thrashed by our team （他们和我们踢足球，胜了三次，但也曾三次惨败在我们球队脚下）。
读者示下那一句，是说「印尼两年之内两度被海啸袭击」。
Q2:大学社区学院的迎新信说： Much has been achieved in our College. You will be struck to know the fine traditions we have established 。 Much 指的是什么？ Fine 假如只是「好」的意思，为什么不用具体一点的形容词？
A2:那两句英文是说：「本院成就丰硕，所建立的优良传统令人赞叹。」
Much 指的是「成就」（ achieved ）之多，文法上等于 We did not say much / Not much was said （我们没有多说话）之类句子。
至于 fine ，当然是「优秀」，意思之空洞，那位读者也看出来了。其实「成就」或 achieved 这说法也很空洞。
Secret Lady Daily English 20060803
Posted on 七月 12, 2008
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Q：一家社区学院来信欢迎我读副学士课程，说二○○四至○五学年有超过二百八十个文学副学士毕业生升上大学，其中超过一百人入了香港大学文学院、育学院、社会科学院： More than 280 Associate of Arts students continued their bachelor’s degree study. Among which, more than 100 students were admitted to the faculties of Arts, Education, and Social Sciences in HKU 。文中continued 一字用得对吗？
A：Continued their bachelor’s degree study 即「继续其学士学位课程」，但香港的所谓副学士课程根本不是学士课程一部分，毕业生可以说「升读」学士课程，却不可说「继续」。我希望这只是无心之失，而不是有意蒙混，把副学士、学士混为一谈，以高副学士身价。
此外， Among which 二字也很不妥当。 Which 是连接词兼代名词，可连接两个句子，却不可用来起句；可作事物的代名词，却不可作人的代名词。
The committee had ten members. There were disagreements among them （委员会有十名成员，大家意见并不一致）这两句，可改写作
The committee had ten members, among whom there were disagreements ，
却不可改写作 The committee had ten members. Among which there were disagreements 。
读者示下的两句，可改写如下：
More than 280 Associate of Arts graduates moved on to their bachelor studies. Among them, more than 100 were admitted to the faculties of Arts, Education, and Social Sciences in the University of Hong Kong 。
1000 English Mottos Part 1
Posted on 七月 12, 2008
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001. An idle youth, a needy age.
少壮不努力，老大徒伤悲。
002. Time flies.
时光易逝。
003. Time is money.
一寸光阴一寸金。
004. Time and tide wait for no man.
岁月无情；岁月易逝；岁月不待人。
005. Time tries all.
时间检验一切。
006. Time tries truth.
时间检验真理。
007. Time past cannot be called back again.
光阴一去不复返。
008. All time is no time when it is past.
光阴一去不复返。
009. No one can call back yesterday; Yesterday will not be called again.
昨日不复来。
010. Tomorrow comes never.
切莫依赖明天。
011. One today is worth two tomorrows.
一个今天胜似两个明天。
012. The morning sun never lasts a day.
好景不常；朝阳不能光照全日。
013. Christmas comes but once a year.
圣诞一年只一度。
014. Pleasant hours fly past.
快乐时光去如飞。
015. Happiness takes no account of time.
欢娱不惜时光逝。
016. Time tames the strongest grief.
时间能缓和极度的悲痛。
017. The day is short but the work is much.
工作多，光阴迫。
018. Never deter till tomorrow that which you can do today.
今日事须今日毕，切勿拖延到明天。
019. Have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today.
明天如有事，今天就去做。
020. To him that does everything in its proper time, one day is worth three.
事事及时做，一日胜三日。
021. To save time is to lengthen life.
节省时间就是延长生命。
022. Everything has its time and that time must be watched.
万物皆有时，时来不可失。
023. Take time when time cometh, lest time steal away.
时来必须要趁时，不然时去无声息。
024. When an opportunity is neglected, it never comes back to you.
机不可失，时不再来；机会一过，永不再来。
025. Make hay while the sun shines.
晒草要趁太阳好。
026. Strike while the iron is hot.
趁热打铁。
027. Work today, for you know not how much you may be hindered tomorrow.
今朝有事今朝做，明朝可能阻碍多。
028. Punctuality is the soul of business.
守时为立业之要素。
029. Procrastination is the thief of time.
因循拖延是时间的大敌；拖延就是浪费时间。
030. Every tide hath ist ebb.
潮涨必有潮落时。
031. Knowledge is power.
知识就是力量。
032. Wisdom is more to be envied than riches.
知识可羡，胜于财富。
033. Wisdom is better than gold or silver.
知识胜过金银，
034. Wisdom in the mind is better than money in the hand.
胸中有知识，胜于手中有钱。
035. Wisdom is a good purchase though we pay dear for it.
为了求知识，代价虽高也值得。
036. Doubt is the key of knowledge.
怀疑是知识之钥。
037. If you want knowledge, you must toil for it.
若要求知识，须从勤苦得。
038. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
浅学误人。
039. A handful of common sense is worth a bushel of learning.
少量的常识，当得大量的学问。
040. Knowledge advances by steps and not by leaps.
知识只能循序渐进，不能跃进。
041. Learn wisdom by the follies of others.
从旁人的愚行中学到聪明。
042. It is good to learn at another man’s cost.
前车可鉴。
043. Wisdom is to the mind what health is to the body.
知识之于精神，一如健康之于肉体。
044. Experience is the best teacher.
经验是最好的教师。
045. Experience is the father of wisdom and memory the mother.
经验是知识之父，记忆是知识之母。
046. Dexterity comes by experience.
熟练来自经验。
047. Practice makes perfect.
熟能生巧。
048. Experience keeps a dear school, but fools learn in no other.
经验学校学费高，愚人旁处学不到。
049. Experience without learning is better than learning without experience.
有经验而无学问，胜于有学问而无经验。
050. Wit once bought is worth twice taught.
由经验而得的智慧，胜于学习而得的智慧；一次亲身的体会，胜过两次的教师教导。
051. Seeing is believing.
百闻不如一见。
052. Business is the salt of life.
事业是生命之盐。
053. Business before pleasure.
事业在先，享乐在后。
054. Business makes a man as well as tries him.
事业可以考验人，也可以造就人。
055. Business neglected is business lost.
忽视职业便是放弃职业。
056. Never think yourself above business.
勿自视过高；不要眼高手低；永远不要认为自己是大材小用。
057. Business may be troublesome, but idleness is pernicious.
事业虽扰人，懒惰害更大。
058. He that thinks his business below him will always be above his business.
自命大材小用，往往眼高手低。
059. Do business, but be not a slave to it.
要做事，但不要做事务的奴隶。
060. Everybody’s business is nobody’s business.
众人的事就是无人过问的事。
061. Work makes the workman.
勤工出巧匠。
062. Better master one than engage with ten.
会十事，不如精一事。
063. A work ill done must be twice done.
首次做不好，必须重新搞。
064. They who cannot do as they would, must do as they can.
不能如愿而行，也须尽力而为。
065. If you would have a thing well done, do it yourself.
想把事情来做好，就得亲自动手搞。
066. He that doth most at once doth least.
什么都想一次做完，结果一件也做不完；贪多嚼不烂。
067. Do as most men do and men will speak well of thee.
照大多数人那样干，人们会把你称赞。
068. What may be done at any time will be done at no time.
在任何时候都可做的事情，总是在任何时候都不做的事情。
069. Better late than never.
迟做总比不做好。
070. Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.
凡是值得做的事，就值得做好。
071. The shortest answer is doing the thing.
最简短的回答就是一个”干”字。
072. Action is the proper fruit of knowledge.
行动是知识之佳果。
073. Finished labors are pleasant.
完成工作是一乐。
074. It is lost labour to sow where there is no soil.
没有土壤，播种也是徒劳。
075. It is right to put everything in its proper use.
凡事都应用得其所。
076. Affairs that are done by due degrees are soon ended.
按部就班，事情很快就做完。
077. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy.
只工作，不玩耍，聪明小孩也变傻。
078. Work bears witness who does well.
工作能证明谁做的好。
079. It is not work that kills, but worry.
工作不会伤身，伤身乃是忧虑。
080. He that will not work shall not eat.
不工作者不得食。
081. Business is business.
公事公办。
082. Deliberate slowly, execute promptly.
慢慢酌量，快快行动。
083. Put your shoulder to the wheel.
努力工作。
084. Never do things by halves.
做事不要半途而废。
085. In for a penny, in for a pound.
做事一开头，就要做到底；一不做，二不休。
086. Many hands make quick work.
人多干活快。
087. Many hands make light work.
众擎易举。
088. A bad workman quarrels with his tools.
技术拙劣的工人抱怨自己的工具。
089. Diligence is the mother of success.
勤奋是成功之母。
090. Idleness is the root of all evil.
懒惰乃万恶之源。
091. Care and diligence bring luck.
谨慎和勤奋带来好运。
092. Diligence is the mother of good fortune.
勤勉是好运之母。
093. Industry is fortune’s right hand, and frugality her left.
勤勉是幸运的右手，节俭是幸运的左手。
094. Idleness is the key of beggary.
懒惰出乞丐。
095. No root, no fruit.
无根就无果。
096. Idle people (folks) have the most labour (take the most pains).
懒人做工作，越懒越费力。
097. Sloth is the key of poverty.
惰能致贫。
098. Sloth turneth the edge of wit.
懒散能磨去才智的锋芒。
099. An idle brain is the devil’s workshop.
懒汉的头脑是魔鬼的工厂。
100. The secret of wealth lieth in the letters SAVE.
节俭是致富的秘诀。
Introduction of This Website
Posted on 七月 12, 2008
Filed Under Sucirst Thought | Leave a Comment
Time flies. I have collected so much material about English learning. I even have enough time to read all of them. And it seems to be a really hard work to arrange them.
So, I decided to create this En website as my English edition of my blog, 傻子网. I will try to use this website to sort out all the information I think it should be helpful not only to myself but to all the Chinese learners.
I hope you will enjoy the learning tour, my friend. I’ll be glad if this website help anyone.
All the materials are collected from internet. They are all free. However, you are not allowed to use them to gain any profit or to be involved in any business issues.
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