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学习英文谚语,了解西方文化(3)

分类: 趣味英语 
(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.

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