美國(guó)語(yǔ)文第五冊(cè) 第287期：潑冷水的藝術(shù)（03）

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We had found fire for ages, in a proper way, taking a proper time about it, by rubbing two sticks together.

很久以前，人類(lèi)以某種合適方式、在某種特定場(chǎng)合下發(fā)現(xiàn)了火。那時(shí)，野人迫切需要生火，他們將兩根枝干相互摩挲，

He must needs strike out fire at once, with iron and flint; and did he die in his bed?

倘若機(jī)緣巧合，倉(cāng)促中用鐵與燧石試著摩擦，火，就這樣被發(fā)現(xiàn)了，有野人因失火死在自己床上嗎？

Our sacred lords saw the impiety of that proceeding, and very justly impaled the man who imitated heavenly powers.

相反，那些原始部落領(lǐng)主們看到那些不虔誠(chéng)行為，干脆將那位試圖模仿圣父魔力的人處以釘刑，這事看起來(lái)還挺正義。

And, even if you could succeed with this new and absurd rolling thing, the state would be ruined.

這樣說(shuō)來(lái)，是否你仍然琢磨那個(gè)新奇荒謬的滾動(dòng)?xùn)|西，你的族群甚至亦會(huì)面臨滅頂之災(zāi)。

What would become of those who carry burdens on their backs?

至于那些辛苦重負(fù)的人還能怎樣？

Put aside the vain fancies of a childish mind, and finish the planting of your yams.

不妨將那些幼稚虛妄拋到一邊，回家接著種完你的番薯罷。

It is really very curious to observe how, even in modern times, the arts of discouragement prevail.

即便現(xiàn)在，關(guān)注這門(mén)潑冷水藝術(shù)到處狼奔豸突，也不能不令人嘖嘖稱(chēng)奇。

There are men whose sole pretense to wisdom consists in administering discouragement.

有這樣一種人，其唯一睿智夸口在于如何實(shí)施潑涼水，

They are never at a loss.

他們不曾手足無(wú)措。

They are equally ready to prophesy, with wonderful ingenuity, all possible varieties of misfortune to any enterprise that may be proposed;

一方面，針對(duì)可能提出的冒險(xiǎn)創(chuàng)意，他們從驚天駭俗的獨(dú)創(chuàng)適時(shí)預(yù)言，任何冒險(xiǎn)可能導(dǎo)致不幸結(jié)局的種種可能；

and when the thing is produced, and has met with some success, to find a flaw in it.

另一方面，一旦冒險(xiǎn)創(chuàng)意進(jìn)入實(shí)際運(yùn)作，并取得一定成功，他們不會(huì)錯(cuò)失良機(jī)，開(kāi)始百般挑剔。

I once saw a work of art produced in the presence of an eminent cold-water pourer.

類(lèi)似的事我曾經(jīng)歷過(guò)，有一回，某位名聲顯赫的潑冷水者觀看創(chuàng)意冒險(xiǎn)的實(shí)際操作。