美國(guó)語文第五冊(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.

這樣說來，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)注這門潑冷水藝術(shù)到處狼奔豸突，也不能不令人嘖嘖稱奇。

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)，開始百般挑剔。

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

類似的事我曾經(jīng)歷過，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。