← Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience

Walden, and On The Duty Of Civil Disobedience — Page 12

English → Fr Full Text Level 8/10

This was not the light in which I hoed them.

Ce n'était pas sous cet angle que je les sarclais.

The stars are the apexes of what wonderful triangles!

Les étoiles sont les sommets de quels merveilleux triangles !

What distant and different beings in the various mansions of the universe are contemplating the same one at the same moment!

Quels êtres lointains et différents, dans les diverses demeures de l'univers, contemplent le même astre au même instant !

Nature and human life are as various as our several constitutions.

La nature et la vie humaine sont aussi variées que nos différentes constitutions.

Who shall say what prospect life offers to another?

Qui peut dire quelle perspective la vie offre à autrui ?

Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other's eyes for an instant?

Un miracle plus grand pourrait-il se produire que de regarder un instant à travers les yeux de l'autre ?

We should live in all the ages of the world in an hour; ay, in all the worlds of the ages.

Nous vivrions en une heure tous les âges du monde ; oui, dans tous les mondes des âges.

History, Poetry, Mythology!—I know of no reading of another's experience so startling and informing as this would be.

Histoire, Poésie, Mythologie ! — Je ne connais aucune lecture de l'expérience d'autrui qui soit aussi saisissante et instructive que celle-là.

The greater part of what my neighbors call good I believe in my soul to be bad, and if I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior.

La plus grande partie de ce que mes voisins appellent bien, je crois dans mon âme que c'est mal, et si je me repens de quelque chose, c'est très probablement de ma bonne conduite.

What demon possessed me that I behaved so well?

Quel démon m'a possédé pour que je me conduise si bien ?

You may say the wisest thing you can, old man,—you who have lived seventy years, not without honor of a kind,—I hear an irresistible voice which invites me away from all that.

Vous pouvez dire la chose la plus sage qui soit, vieillard, — vous qui avez vécu soixante-dix ans, non sans un certain honneur, — j'entends une voix irrésistible qui m'invite à m'éloigner de tout cela.

One generation abandons the enterprises of another like stranded vessels.

Une génération abandonne les entreprises d'une autre comme des navires échoués.

I think that we may safely trust a good deal more than we do.

Je crois que nous pouvons, en toute sécurité, faire confiance bien davantage que nous ne le faisons.

We may waive just so much care of ourselves as we honestly bestow elsewhere.

Nous pouvons renoncer à autant de soin de nous-mêmes que nous en accordons honnêtement à d'autres.

Nature is as well adapted to our weakness as to our strength.

La nature est aussi bien adaptée à notre faiblesse qu'à notre force.

Vocabulary

Ce: Demonstrative pronoun or adjective meaning 'this' or 'it'.
n': Negative particle, shortened form of 'ne'.
était: Past imperfect of 'être'; 'was' or 'were'.
pas: Negative particle used with 'ne' to mean 'not'.
sous: Preposition meaning 'under' or 'beneath'.
cet: Demonstrative adjective 'this' before masculine vowel-starting noun.
angle: Noun meaning 'angle', 'perspective', or 'corner'.
que: Conjunction or pronoun meaning 'that', 'which', or 'than'.
je: First-person singular subject pronoun meaning 'I'.
les: Definite plural article or object pronoun meaning 'the' or 'them'.
Les: Definite plural article meaning 'the'.
étoiles: Plural noun meaning 'stars'.
sont: Third-person plural of 'être'; meaning 'are'.
sommets: Plural noun meaning 'summits', 'peaks', or 'vertices'.
de: Preposition meaning 'of', 'from', or 'about'.
quels: Interrogative or exclamatory adjective meaning 'what' or 'which'.
merveilleux: Adjective meaning 'marvelous', 'wonderful', or 'extraordinary'.
triangles: Plural noun meaning 'triangles', geometric three-sided figures.
Quels: Exclamatory or interrogative adjective meaning 'what' or 'which'.
êtres: Plural noun meaning 'beings' or 'creatures'.
lointains: Adjective meaning 'distant', 'far-off', or 'remote'.
et: Conjunction meaning 'and'.
différents: Adjective meaning 'different' or 'various'.
dans: Preposition meaning 'in', 'inside', or 'within'.
diverses: Adjective meaning 'diverse', 'various', or 'different'.
demeures: Plural noun meaning 'dwellings', 'abodes', or 'residences'.
l': Definite article 'le' or 'la' elided before a vowel.
univers: Noun meaning 'universe' or 'cosmos'.
contemplent: Third-person plural of 'contempler'; they gaze upon something.
le: Definite masculine singular article or pronoun meaning 'the' or 'it'.
même: Adjective or adverb meaning 'same' or 'even'.
astre: Noun meaning 'star', 'celestial body', or 'heavenly body'.
au: Contraction of 'à le' meaning 'at the' or 'to the'.
instant: Noun meaning 'moment' or 'instant'.
La: Definite feminine singular article meaning 'the'.
nature: Noun meaning 'nature' or 'the natural world'.
la: Definite feminine article or object pronoun meaning 'the' or 'her'.
vie: Noun meaning 'life'.
humaine: Adjective meaning 'human', relating to human beings.
aussi: Adverb meaning 'also', 'too', or 'as well'.
variées: Adjective meaning 'varied', 'diverse', or 'assorted'.
nos: First-person plural possessive adjective meaning 'our'.
différentes: Adjective meaning 'different' or 'various', feminine plural form.
constitutions: Plural noun meaning 'constitutions', 'temperaments', or 'natures'.
Qui: Interrogative or relative pronoun meaning 'who' or 'which'.
peut: Third-person singular of 'pouvoir'; meaning 'can' or 'is able'.
dire: Infinitive verb meaning 'to say' or 'to tell'.
quelle: Interrogative or exclamatory adjective meaning 'what' or 'which'.
perspective: Noun meaning 'perspective', 'viewpoint', or 'outlook'.
offre: Third-person singular of 'offrir'; meaning 'offers' or 'provides'.
à: Preposition meaning 'to', 'at', or 'in'.
autrui: Pronoun meaning 'others' or 'other people'.
Un: Indefinite masculine article meaning 'a' or 'one'.
miracle: Noun meaning 'miracle' or 'wonder'.
plus: Adverb meaning 'more' or 'most'; also 'no more' in negation.
grand: Adjective meaning 'great', 'large', or 'big'.
pourrait: Conditional of 'pouvoir'; meaning 'could' or 'might'.
il: Third-person masculine singular pronoun meaning 'he' or 'it'.
se: Reflexive pronoun meaning 'himself', 'herself', or 'itself'.
produire: Infinitive meaning 'to produce', 'to occur', or 'to happen'.
regarder: Infinitive meaning 'to look at' or 'to watch'.
un: Indefinite masculine article meaning 'a' or 'one'.
travers: Noun used in 'à travers' meaning 'through' or 'across'.
yeux: Plural noun meaning 'eyes'.
autre: Adjective or pronoun meaning 'other' or 'another'.
Nous: First-person plural pronoun meaning 'we' or 'us'.
vivrions: Conditional of 'vivre'; meaning 'we would live'.
en: Preposition or pronoun meaning 'in', 'on', or 'some of it'.
une: Indefinite feminine article meaning 'a' or 'one'.
heure: Noun meaning 'hour' or 'time'.
tous: Indefinite pronoun or adjective meaning 'all' or 'every'.
âges: Plural noun meaning 'ages', 'eras', or 'time periods'.
du: Contraction of 'de le' meaning 'of the' or 'from the'.
monde: Noun meaning 'world' or 'people'.
oui: Adverb meaning 'yes'.
mondes: Plural noun meaning 'worlds' or 'realms'.
Histoire: Noun meaning 'history' or 'story'.
Poésie: Noun meaning 'poetry'.
Mythologie: Noun meaning 'mythology', a collection of myths.
Je: First-person singular subject pronoun meaning 'I'.
ne: Negative particle used with 'pas' or other negators.
connais: First-person singular of 'connaître'; meaning 'I know'.
aucune: Negative adjective meaning 'no', 'none', or 'not any'.
lecture: Noun meaning 'reading' or 'a piece of reading material'.
expérience: Noun meaning 'experience' or 'experiment'.
d': Preposition 'de' elided before a vowel; meaning 'of' or 'from'.
qui: Relative or interrogative pronoun meaning 'who' or 'which'.
soit: Subjunctive of 'être'; meaning 'be' or 'is' in subj. mood.
saisissante: Adjective meaning 'striking', 'gripping', or 'startling'.
instructive: Adjective meaning 'instructive' or 'educational'.
celle: Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'the one' (feminine singular).
là: Adverb meaning 'there' or used for emphasis.
grande: Adjective meaning 'great', 'large', or 'tall', feminine form.
partie: Noun meaning 'part', 'portion', or 'game'.
ce: Demonstrative pronoun or adjective meaning 'this', 'that', or 'it'.
mes: First-person plural possessive adjective meaning 'my'.
voisins: Plural noun meaning 'neighbors'.
appellent: Third-person plural of 'appeler'; meaning 'they call'.
bien: Adverb or noun meaning 'well', 'good', or 'properly'.
crois: First-person singular of 'croire'; meaning 'I believe' or 'I think'.
mon: Masculine singular possessive adjective meaning 'my'.
âme: Noun meaning 'soul' or 'spirit'.
c': Shortened form of 'ce' before 'est'; meaning 'it' or 'this'.
est: Third-person singular of 'être'; meaning 'is'.
mal: Noun or adjective meaning 'evil', 'harm', or 'badly'.
si: Conjunction or adverb meaning 'if', 'whether', or 'so'.
me: First-person singular object or reflexive pronoun meaning 'me'.
quelque: Indefinite adjective meaning 'some', 'a certain', or 'whatever'.
chose: Noun meaning 'thing' or 'matter'.
très: Adverb meaning 'very' or 'extremely'.
probablement: Adverb meaning 'probably' or 'most likely'.
ma: Feminine singular possessive adjective meaning 'my'.
bonne: Adjective meaning 'good', feminine form of 'bon'.
conduite: Noun meaning 'conduct', 'behavior', or 'driving'.
Quel: Interrogative or exclamatory adjective meaning 'what' or 'which'.
démon: Noun meaning 'demon' or 'evil spirit'.
m': Elided form of 'me', first-person singular object pronoun.
a: Third-person singular of 'avoir'; meaning 'has'.
possédé: Past participle of 'posséder'; meaning 'possessed' or 'owned'.
pour: Preposition meaning 'for', 'in order to', or 'because of'.
conduise: Subjunctive of 'conduire'; meaning 'to lead' or 'to drive'.
Vous: Second-person plural or formal pronoun meaning 'you'.
pouvez: Second-person plural of 'pouvoir'; meaning 'you can'.
sage: Adjective or noun meaning 'wise', 'sensible', or 'sage'.
vieillard: Noun meaning 'old man' or 'elderly man'.
vous: Second-person pronoun meaning 'you' (formal or plural).
avez: Second-person plural of 'avoir'; meaning 'you have'.
vécu: Past participle of 'vivre'; meaning 'lived'.
soixante: Number meaning 'sixty'.
dix: Number meaning 'ten'.
ans: Plural noun meaning 'years' (of age or duration).
non: Adverb meaning 'no' or 'not'.
certain: Adjective meaning 'certain', 'sure', or 'a certain'.
honneur: Noun meaning 'honor' or 'integrity'.
j': Elided first-person pronoun 'je' before a vowel; meaning 'I'.
entends: First-person singular of 'entendre'; meaning 'I hear'.
voix: Noun meaning 'voice' or 'vote'.
irrésistible: Adjective meaning 'irresistible' or 'overwhelming'.
invite: Third-person singular of 'inviter'; meaning 'invites' or 'urges'.
éloigner: Infinitive meaning 'to move away from' or 'to distance'.
tout: Adjective, pronoun, or adverb meaning 'all', 'every', or 'quite'.
cela: Demonstrative pronoun meaning 'that' or 'all that'.
Une: Indefinite feminine article meaning 'a' or 'one'.
génération: Noun meaning 'generation' or 'age group'.
abandonne: Third-person singular of 'abandonner'; meaning 'abandons'.
entreprises: Plural noun meaning 'enterprises', 'projects', or 'businesses'.
comme: Conjunction or adverb meaning 'like', 'as', or 'such as'.
navires: Plural noun meaning 'ships' or 'vessels'.
échoués: Past participle meaning 'shipwrecked', 'stranded', or 'run aground'.
nous: First-person plural pronoun meaning 'we' or 'us'.
pouvons: First-person plural of 'pouvoir'; meaning 'we can'.
toute: Feminine singular of 'tout'; meaning 'all', 'every', or 'whole'.
sécurité: Noun meaning 'security', 'safety', or 'confidence'.
faire: Infinitive meaning 'to do' or 'to make'.
confiance: Noun meaning 'trust', 'confidence', or 'faith'.
davantage: Adverb meaning 'more' or 'to a greater extent'.
faisons: First-person plural of 'faire'; meaning 'we do' or 'we make'.
renoncer: Infinitive meaning 'to renounce', 'to give up', or 'to abandon'.
autant: Adverb meaning 'as much', 'as many', or 'equally'.
soin: Noun meaning 'care', 'attention', or 'concern'.
mêmes: Adjective or pronoun meaning 'same' or 'themselves', plural.
accordons: First-person plural of 'accorder'; meaning 'we grant' or 'agree'.
honnêtement: Adverb meaning 'honestly' or 'fairly'.
autres: Plural adjective or pronoun meaning 'others' or 'other ones'.
adaptée: Past participle meaning 'adapted' or 'suited', feminine form.
notre: First-person plural possessive adjective meaning 'our'.
faiblesse: Noun meaning 'weakness' or 'frailty'.
qu': Elided form of 'que'; meaning 'that', 'which', or 'than'.
force: Noun meaning 'strength', 'force', or 'power'.

← Previous Next →

Unlock audio playback, vocabulary games, and reading progress tracking.

Create free account →