西洋幽默语录(之一百一十五)
马克吐温 (TWAIN, Mark), 1835-1882
美国幽默作家和智者
Good breeding consists in concealing how much we think of ourselves and how little we think of other person.
好的教养隐含,我们是多么的只想着自己,而很少去为他人着想.
A good memory and a tongue tied in the middle is a combination which gives immortality to conversation.
好的记忆加上舌头在其中, 两者的结合能使谈话永垂不死.
Hain’t we got all the fools in town on our side, and ain’t that a big enough majority in any town?
我们不是有全城的傻子站在我们这边; 而在任何城市这不就足够占大多数吗?
Heaven goes by favour; if it went by merit, you would stay out and your dog would go in.
老天是看脸色的; 假如它是看能力, 你早就出局, 而你的狗将入选.
He has been a doctor a year now and has had two patients – no, three I think – yes, it was three; I attended their funerals.
他做了两年的医生, 有两个病人 – 不, 三个, 我想 – 是的, 三个; 我出席了他们的葬礼.
His money is twice tainted: ’taint yours and ’taint mine.
他的钱两次被染污: 染他的和染我的.
The holy passion of friendship is of so sweet and steady and loyal and enduring a nature that it will last through a whole life-time, if not asked to lend money.
友谊的神圣感情是多么的甜美, 稳健, 忠诚, 和持久; 此种情谊可以终生不渝, 只要不借钱.
I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.
我是个老人, 我知道有很多问题, 但它们大多数从没发生.
I could never learn to like her – except on a raft at sea with no other provisions in sight.
我无法去喜欢她 – 除非在大海上乘筏, 而眼前又没有其他的粮食.
I have never let my schooling interfere with my education.
我绝不让我的求学妨碍我的教育.
I like criticism, but it must be my way.
我喜欢批评, 但它一定要依我的意思.
If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man.
如果你捡到一只饥饿的狗, 并让它吃好住好, 它将不会反咬你一口; 这就是人和狗主要不同的地方.
If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.
假如你讲真话, 你不需要去记任何东西.
In statesmanship, get the formalities right; never mind about the moralities.
在政治手腕上, 只管把仪式做好, 不用在意道德问题.
