然而,我能做的也就是這些了。就一個(gè)主題,我極力回想所有我曾經(jīng)聽(tīng)到的或者有關(guān)的思考,盡可能恰到好處地表述出來(lái)。
Instead of writing on four subjects at a time, it is as much as I can manage, to keep the thread of one discourse clear and unentangled.
我當(dāng)然不會(huì)一次就四個(gè)主題侃侃下筆,這遠(yuǎn)非我能力所及,我能做到的就是使一篇文章的線索清晰和簡(jiǎn)單化。
I have also time on my hands to correct my opinions and polish my periods; but the one I can not, and the other I will not, do.
我也把有限的時(shí)間用在糾正我的觀點(diǎn)和修飾詞藻上;但是,有的我不能做,而其他的我又不會(huì)做。
I am fond of arguing; yet, with a good deal of pains and practice, it is often much as I can do to beat my man, though he may be a very indifferent hand.
我熱衷于辯論;然而,借此產(chǎn)生的許多苦惱和經(jīng)驗(yàn),通常都會(huì)極大地挫傷自我,盡管他也許是非常平庸的一個(gè)人。
A common fencer would disarm his adversary in the twinkling of an eye, unless he were a professor like himself.
一般的劍術(shù)家會(huì)在眨眼之間令對(duì)手怒氣全消,除非他是一個(gè)顧影自憐的教授。
A stroke of wit will sometimes produce this effect, but there is no such power or superiority in sense or reasoning.
風(fēng)趣有時(shí)就有這種效果,但是在理性或推理層面上,沒(méi)有這樣的感染力或優(yōu)越感。
There is no complete mastery of execution to be shown there; and you hardly know the professor from the impudent pretender or the mere clown.
那里沒(méi)有顯示出對(duì)技巧的完美掌握和駕馭,從粗魯無(wú)禮的覬覦高位者或者純粹行為荒誕不經(jīng)的人看法出發(fā),你根本無(wú)法洞悉這位教授的內(nèi)心世界。