“When a resolute young fellow steps up to the great bully, the world, and takes him boldly by the beard, he is often surprised to find it comes off in his hand, and that it was only tied on to scare away the timid adventurers.”
— Ralph Waldo Emerson, Poet
「当一个坚决的年轻小伙子,走到恶霸、世界跟前,勇敢地去扯他胡子,通常会惊讶地发现,胡子脱落至他手上,它只是为了吓走胆怯的冒险者。」– 拉尔夫‧爱默生 (诗人)
- resolute (adj.) 坚决的,坚定的。例:to take resolute action (采取坚决的行动) bully (n.) 恶霸,欺凌他人者。这句话把 “the world” 喻为「具挑战性」的 “bully”。tie (v.) 系上,拴住。timid (adj.) 胆小的,胆怯的。例:a timid child (一个胆小的孩子)。
- 拉尔夫‧爱默生 (1803-1882) 为美国思想家、演说家、作家及诗人,在 19 世纪领导美国的「超验主义」运动,主张一种理想的精神状态会超越人的肉体经验,对美国文化有深远的影响。