← On the Method of Zadig: Essay #1 from "Science and Hebrew Tradition"

On the Method of Zadig: Essay #1 from "Science and Hebrew Tradition" — Page 8

Chinese → English Full Text Level 8/10

在所有这些情况中,唯一改变的只是与时间的关系——超越直接认知界限的占卜过程始终如一。

In all these cases, it is only the relation to time which alters--the process of divination beyond the limits of possible direct knowledge remains the same.

毫无疑问,正是他们本能地察觉到扎迪格的推断结果与官方神启所得结论之间的相似性,才使巴比伦的祭司们萌生了烧死这位哲学家的念头。

No doubt it was their instinctive recognition of the analogy between Zadig's results and those obtained by authorised inspiration which inspired the Babylonian magi with the desire to burn the philosopher.

扎迪格承认,他从未亲眼见过或听说过国王的马和王后的猎犬;然而他却大胆地以最肯定的口吻断言,符合其描述的动物确实存在,并在巴比伦的平原上奔跑。

Zadig admitted that he had never either seen or heard of the horse of the king or of the spaniel of the queen; and yet he ventured to assert in the most positive manner that animals answering to their description did actually exist and ran about the plains of Babylon.

如果他的方法能够推断出十小时前发生的事情,那么为何它不能同样适用于十年前或十个世纪前的事件呢?更进一步,它难道不能延伸至一万年前,从而为那些亵渎者提供依据,让他们插手奥安内斯与鱼的传说,以及巴比伦宇宙创生论的一切神圣根基吗?

If his method was good for the divination of the course of events ten hours old, why should it not be good for those of ten years or ten centuries past; nay, might it not extend ten thousand years and justify the impious in meddling with the traditions of Oannes and the fish, and all the sacred foundations of Babylonian cosmogony?

但这还不是最糟糕的。还有另一层考量,显然促使祭司中更具深思熟虑者认为,应当立即将扎迪格处以火刑。

But this was not the worst. There was another consideration which obviously dictated to the more thoughtful of the magi the propriety of burning Zadig out of hand.

他的辩护比他的过失更为有害。它表明他的占卜方式对整个祭司体制充满了危险。

His defence was worse than his offence. It showed that his mode of divination was fraught with danger to magianism in general.

Vocabulary

In
表示位置、时间或状态的介词
all
全部、整个、所有的
these
这些、这批东西或人
cases
情况、案件、事例或容器
it
它、那件事或那个人
is
是、存在的动词be的第三人称单数
only
仅仅、只有、唯一的
the
定冠词,用于特指某个名词
relation
关系、联系、涉及到某事物
to
介词,表示方向、对象或关系
time
时间、时刻、时代或次数
which
哪个、哪些、引导从句的关系词
alters
改变、使改变、改造某物
process
过程、步骤、程序或加工
of
属于、的、表示所有格或关系
beyond
超过、在另一边、超出范围外
limits
限制、界限、范围或限度
possible
可能的、能够做到的或可行的
direct
直接的、管理、指挥或导演
knowledge
知识、了解、认识或学问
remains
保持、遗留物、残留物或遗体
same
相同的、同样的、一致的
No
不、没有、否定的答复
doubt
怀疑、疑问、不确定或疑虑
was
是、过去式,be动词的第一、三人称
their
他们的、她们的、它们的
instinctive
本能的、出于直觉的、天生的
recognition
认可、确认、识别或承认
between
在两者之间、介于中间
results
结果、成果、效果或产生结果
and
和、以及、连接词
those
那些、那批人或那些东西
obtained
获得、得到、取得或实现
by
被、通过、由某人或用某方法
authorised
授权的、认可的、有权力的
inspiration
灵感、启发、鼓舞或吸入空气
inspired
受到启发的、有灵感的、被激励的
with
和、用、具有、带有
desire
渴望、欲望、想要或需要
burn
燃烧、灼伤、渴望或发热
philosopher
哲学家、思想家、追求智慧的人
admitted
承认、允许进入、招供或录取
that
那个、那、引导从句的连接词
he
他、男性人称代词
had
有、拥有、动词have的过去式
never
从不、从未、绝不曾
either
也不、要么、两者之一
seen
看见、看过、目睹的过去分词
or
或、或者、否则
heard
听到、听见、听过的过去式
horse
马、骑兵、木马或支架
king
国王、君主、棋中的王
queen
皇后、女王、棋中的后
yet
但是、然而、仍然或迄今
ventured
冒险、敢于、大胆提出或冒险
assert
声称、主张、坚决肯定
most
最、大多数、最多的
positive
肯定的、确定的、积极的
manner
方式、方法、态度或举止
animals
动物、兽类、生物或畜生
answering
符合、回答、响应或相应的
description
描述、描写、说明或种类
did
做、做过的过去式动词do
actually
实际上、事实上、真实地
exist
存在、生存、实际上有
ran
跑、奔跑、运行的过去式
about
关于、大约、周围、四处
plains
平原、平地、清晰或朴素
If
如果、若是、假如或条件
his
他的、其的、男性所有格代词
method
方法、方式、办法或手段
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