研究生英语综合教程-翻译转义unit1-4-7-9-10(7)

disposition[ n. 性情，性格 ];

人性是性格、气质和性情的基础，性格正是基于这种牢不可破的基质之上的

it is that indestructible[adj. 坚不可摧的 ]matrix upon which the character is built, and whose shape it must take and keep throughout life. 它必须以这种基质的形式存在，并将它保留终生 This we call a person’s nature. 这种基质，我们称之为一个人的本性。

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The basic nature of human beings does not and cannot change. 人类的本性不会也不能改变

It is only the surface that is capable of alteration[ n. 变动，改变 ], improvement and refinement;

只有一些表面特征才会变化、改善和进一步提升；

we can alter only people’s customs, manners, dress and habits. 我们可以改变人们的风格、举止、衣着和习惯。

A study of history reveals that the people who walked this earth in antiquity[ n. 古

代 ]were moved by the same fundamental forces,

一项历史研究表明，曾经行走在地球上的古人们和今天的男男女女们受着同样的基本力量驱使， were swayed by the same passions, and had the same aspirations as the men and women of today.

被同样的激情左右并有着同样的抱负，

The pursuit of happiness still engrosses [ v. 使全神贯注于，使非常感兴趣]mankind the world over.

时至今日，对幸福的追求仍然是全世界人类全身心投入的事业。

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Moreover no one wishes his nature to change. 此外，没有人希望改变自己的本性

One may covet [ v. 觊觎，垂涎] the position of president or king, 有人可能会觊觎总统或国王的职位

but would not change places with them unless it meant the continuance of his own identity.

但不会和他们交换位置，除非那意味着他自己身份的继续。 Each man sees himself as unique, 每个人都把自己看成是独特个体

and so far as he is concerned the hub of the universe, different from any other individual.

而且，就他而言，他就是宇宙的中心，有别于其他任何人。

Apologies are in order [适宜，合适 ] when Mr. Smith is mistaken for Mr. Jones. 如果有人把史密斯先生误认作琼斯先生，这人就该道歉。

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Every man unfolds [ v. 展现，逐渐呈现] a distinct character over which circumstances and education have only the most limited control.

每个人都表现出一种与众不同的性格，而环境和教育对性格的影响都极其有限。

No two people will ever draw the same conclusions from the same experiences, 两个人从相同的经历中也不会得出相同的结论

but each must interpret events and fit them into the mosaic[ n. 镶嵌画般的东西] of his own life’s pattern.

但是两个人会各自分析这些事件并将它们融合到自己丰富的生活模式中去。 Human nature is ever true to itself, not to systems of faith or education. 人性总是忠于它本身，而不受信仰或教育体制左右。

Each holds to[ 遵循，坚持] the structure of the mold into which the soul was cast at the time of its individualization.

一个人的个性和他独特的天性在出生时就已经形成了，而且不会改变。

The qualities born in one remain as potentials whether they have a chance to develop or not.

一个人与生俱来的品质，无论是否有机会发展，都保持为潜力。

Under pressure, or change of interest, they can partially or wholly disappear from view for considerable periods of time;

在遭受压力或兴趣变化的情况下，他们会部分或全部地消失相当一段时间

but nothing can permanently modify them, nothing can obliterate[ v. 忘却，抹去] them. 但是没有什么能永久地改变他们，也没有什么能把他们抹去。

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The constancy of human nature is proverbial[ adj. 周所周知], 人性的恒定性是众所周知的

as no one believes that a man can fundamentally change his nature. 因为没有人相信一个人能够从根本上改变他的本性。

This is why it is so difficult for one who has acquired unsavory[ adj. 令人厌恶的] reputations to re-establish himself in public confidence. 这就是为什么一个恶名远扬的人很难重建公众对他的信心。

People know from experience that an individual who in one year displays knavish[ adj.

无赖似的] characteristics seldom in the next becomes any different.

人们凭经验知道某一年中表现出无赖性格的人不太可能在第二年有任何改观。 Nor does a thief becomes a trustworthy employee, 小偷也不会变成值得信赖的员工

or a miser[ n. 守财奴，吝啬鬼] a philanthropist[ n. 慈善家，乐善好施者]. 吝啬鬼也不可能变成慈善家。

Nor does a man change and become a liar, coward or traitor[ n. 叛徒，背叛者] at fifty or sixty;

而且，一个人不会在五六十岁的时候变成谎话精、懦夫或叛徒