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There is a solid bottom everywhere.
所有地方的底部都是結實的。
We read that the traveler asked the boy if the swamp before him had a hard bottom.
我們從書中得知這樣一個故亊，一個旅行者問一個男孩，前方的這塊沼澤底部是不是堅固。
The boy replied that it had.
男孩回答道是堅固的。
But presently the traveler's horse sank in up to the girths, and he observed to the boy,I thought you said that this bog had a hard bottom So it has，answered the latter, but you have not got half way to it yet.
可是旅行者沒走多遠，他的馬便深陷沼澤，不一會兒就到了馬的腰部，他對男孩說，我本以為你說的是這塊沼澤底部是堅固的…是堅固的啊。男孩說道，可是你還沒有觸到它的底部一半深呢。
So it is with the bogs and quicksands of society;but he is an old boy that knows it.
社會的泥沼和流沙也是這個道理；但是只有少年老成的人才知曉這一點。
Only what is thought, said, or done at a certain rare coincidence is good.
只有在一些少有的巧合中，人們的所想，所言、所為才是正確的。
I would not be one of those who will foolishly drive a nail into mere lath and plastering ;such a deed would keep me awake nights.
有一些人愚蠢地只知道是將釘子釘入板條和灰泥中，我可不想與這樣的人為伍；要是那么做，我會徹夜難眠。
Give me a hammer, and let me feel for the furring.
給我一把錘子，讓我感受一下釘板條的感覺。
Do not depend on the putty.
不要依靠油灰狀的黏性材料。
Drive a nail home and clinch it so faithfully that you can wake up in the night and think of your work with satisfactory.
釘入一只釘子，就釘得結結實實， 就算是在半夜醒來，一想到自己的工作，你也會心滿意足。
a work at which you would not be ashamed to invoke the Muse.
即便請來繆斯女神，你對這件工作也沒有愧疚。
So will help you God, and so only.
這么做，而且只有這么做，上帝才會伸出援助之手。
Every nail driven should be as another rivet in the machine of the universe, you carrying on the work.
釘入的每顆釘子，都應像宇宙機器中的鉚釘一樣固定，你的工作才能繼續下去。
Rather than love, than money, than fame，give me truth.
我不在乎愛、金錢、名譽，我只要真理。
I sat at a table where were rich food and wine in abundance, and obsequious attendance, but sincerity and truth were not；and I went away hungry from the inhospitable board.
我坐在擺滿佳肴美酒的桌旁，身邊有諂媚的侍從，但是卻少了真誠和誓言。我餓著肚子轉身離開這冷漠的餐桌。
The hospitality was as cold as the ices.
這種盛情如冰一樣冰冷，
I thought that there was no need of ice to freeze them.
我想無需再用冰塊來凍結它們。
They talked to me of the age of the wine and the fame of the vintage;but I thought of an older, a newer, and purer wine, of a more glorious vintage, which they had not got, and could not buy.
他們告訴我葡萄美酒的年份和產地的歷史，這讓我想起了一種更年深月久且更新更純、更光榮的佳釀，可他們手上沒有，也無法買到。
The style, the house and grounds and entertainment pass for nothing with me.
我把他們的風格、豪宅、庭園和娛樂當做草芥。
I called on the king, but he made me wait in his hall, and conducted like a man incapacitated for hospitality.
我去拜見國王，他卻讓我在客廳等候，他的行為如同喪失了好客能力似的。
There was a man in my neighborhood who lived in a hollow tree.
我的一個鄰居住在樹洞里，
His manners were truly regal.
他的舉止才是真正的王者。
I should have done better had I called on him.
我要是去拜訪他，待遇肯定會好得多。
