1. A leopard cannot change its spots.
“豹豈能改變斑點(diǎn)呢?”語出圣經(jīng),比喻本性難移。
2. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
“一知半解很危險?!?/span>
3. A stitch in time saves nine.
“一針及時省九針?!鳖愃频闹V語有,“一盎司的預(yù)防,勝過一磅的治療”(An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure)
4. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
“絕對的權(quán)力,絕對導(dǎo)致腐敗。”語出阿克頓勛爵。
5. An Englishman's home is his castle.
“英國人的家就是他的城堡。”即未經(jīng)房主的允許,不得私闖民宅。1763,英國首相老皮特將其加以發(fā)揮,“風(fēng)能進(jìn),雨能進(jìn),國王不能進(jìn)?!?/span>
6. As you sow so shall you reap.
“一分耕耘一分收獲”,或譯為“種瓜得瓜,種豆得豆”。類似的諺語有,“As you make your bed, so you must lie upon it.”
7. Be careful what you wish for.
“慎重許愿”。有點(diǎn)像成語“葉公好龍”。
8. Better late than never.
或譯為“亡羊補(bǔ)牢,為時未晚”。類似的諺語是,“It's never too late.”
9. Better the Devil you know than the Devil you don’t.
“熟悉的魔鬼要好過不熟悉的魔鬼。”
10. Discretion is the better part of valour.
“謹(jǐn)慎即大勇。”
11. Don’t keep a dog and bark yourself.
字面意,不要養(yǎng)了一條狗,自己卻汪汪叫。即“不要越俎代庖”。
12. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
“智者卻步處,愚者獨(dú)敢闖。”語出英國詩人蒲柏。后來柏克曾以此評價法國革命者。
13. Good fences make good neighbours.
“籬笆筑得牢,鄰居處得好。”
14. Hard cases make bad law.
“棘手的案件容易引出壞法律。”即,很難從極端案例中引申出一般原則。
15. Haste makes waste.
“欲速則不達(dá)。”類似的諺語有,“More haste, less speed.”
16. Honesty is the best policy.
“誠實是最好的政策?!闭Z出16世紀(jì)的英國政治家Sir Edwin Sandys,美國總統(tǒng)華盛頓也曾援引過。
17. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
“沒壞,就不要修?!笨梢砸隇?,不要沒事找事。相似的諺語有,“Let sleeping dogs lie”。
18.It takes all sorts to make a world.
字面意,“世界之大,無奇不有。”
19. Look before you leap.
“三思而后行。”
20. Manners maketh man.
“禮儀造就人。”或譯成“不學(xué)禮,無以立”。
21. Moderation in all things.
“凡事中庸而行。”
22. Nature abhors a vacuum.
“大自然憎惡真空”,語出亞里士多德。
23. Nothing new under the sun.
“日光之下并無新事。”語出圣經(jīng)。
24. Possession is nine points of the law.
“占有即已九成合法。”
25. Pride goes before a fall.
“驕傲在敗壞以先?!闭Z出圣經(jīng)。
26. Speak softly and carry a big stick.
“溫言在口,大棒在手?!闭Z出美國總統(tǒng)西奧多·羅斯福。
27. The best is the enemy of the good.
“完美是好的敵人?!奔床灰^分追求完美。試圖追求完美,結(jié)果可能更糟。類似的英諺還有,“Let well alone”。
28. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
“變化越多,就越是沒變。”激進(jìn)主義的折騰,其實并沒有進(jìn)步。
29. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
“通往地獄的道路,是由善意鋪就的?!?/span>
30. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
“不以史為鑒者,必重蹈覆轍?!?/span>
31. To err is human; to forgive divine.
“犯錯是人性;寬恕是神性。”
32. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
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