Diogenesunit6大学英语复习.doc

Diogenes & Alexander Lesson Six Diogenes & Alexander Diogenes (412?-323B.C) Greek Cynic philosopher, holding the beliefs (Cynicism) that virtue was the only good and self-control, the only means of achieving virtue. He was also known as an ascetic, giving up the pleasures of the society and leading a life of austere self-discipline. Diogenes carried the principles of the sect to an extreme of asceticism. (OED.) It was said of Diogenes that throughout his life he searched with a lantern in the daylight for an honest man. And though Diogenes apparently did not find an honest man, he had, in the process, exposed the vanity and selfishness of man. (Chambers.) The sect, known as the cynics, was founded by Antisthenes (444-370 BC), a pupil of Socrates; it was marked by an ostentatious contempt for ease, wealth, and the enjoyments of life. Diogenes was a pupil of Antisthenes. Diogenes, on coming to Athens from his native lands, Sinope, came as a rake and spendthrift. After following under the spell of Antisthenes, Diogenes became at once an austere ascetic, his clothing of the coarsest, his food the plainest, and his bed the bare ground. At length he found himself a permanent residence in a tub. cynicism A person disposed to rail or find fault; now usually: One who shows a disposition to disbelieve in the sincerity or goodness of human motives and actions, and is wont to express this by sneers and sarcasms; a sneering fault-finder. (OED) The image of a cynic is that of a dog. Diogenes Quotes A friend is one soul abiding in two bodies. As a matter of self-preservation, a man needs good friends or ardent enemies, for the former instruct him and the latter take him to task. Blushing is the color of virtue. Dogs and philosophers do the greatest good and get the fewest rewards. He has the most who is most content with the least. The foundation of every state is the education of its youth. Man is the most intelligent of the animals - and the most silly. Most men are within a fingers breadth of being mad. Those who have virtue always in their mouths, and neglect it in practice, are like a harp, which emits a sound pleasing to others, while itself is insensible of the music. We have two ears and one tongue so that we would listen more and talk less. Wise kings generally have wise counselors; and he must be a wise man himself who is capable of distinguishing one. Alexander (356-323 B.C.) Alexander the Great was King of Macedonia (north of Greece) from 336 to 323 B.C. He conquered Greece, the Persian Empire, and Egypt. Words and Expressions1） He was the one, but not the other: He was a beggar, but not the lunatic.2）do his business: urinate, pass water, etc.3）wash them down with a few handfuls of water: swallowed the bread and the olives with water4）handful: C.f. spoonful, basketful5）scoop: to pick something up or remove it using a scoop or a spoon, or your curved hand.She bent down and scooped up the little dog. Cut the tomato in half and scoop out the seeds with a teaspoon.sharper: a swindler, especially at cards 骗子（尤指赌牌）Everybody knew him, or knew of him:heard of himsharp: intended to criticize or hurt（言辞，说话者）刻薄的；辛辣的 she feared his sharp tongue.jeer: a rude and mocking remark 嘲讽jibe: an insulting or mocking remark; a taunt 讥讽，嘲笑；嘲弄scant: barely sufficient or adequate 不足的，缺乏的 a shower of: a mass of small things falling or moving at the same time阵雨般的东西abuse:insulting and offensive language 辱骂 squatter: a person who unlawfully occupies an uninhabited building or unused land 非法占用空屋（或荒地）者far too+adj.: by a great deal 大大地，极大地 he is able to function far better than usual.他能发挥比平常好得多的作用。 the reality has fallen far short of early expectations.现实与早先的预期相去甚远。 The jacket is far too expensive. elaborate:involving many carefully arranged parts or details; detailed and complicated in design and planning 精巧的；复杂的；详尽的；精心设计（或制作）的Everybody lived far too elaboratelywith too much attention given to small comforts of all kinds.elaborate plan/design/pattern/devotion, etc. What good is a house?: What use is a house? It is useless. live healthy lives:die a sudden deathlaugh a bitter laugh：smile a sweet smiledream a beautiful dreamcask: a round wooden container used for storing wine or other liquids, a barrelCorinth:科林斯（希腊伯罗奔尼撒半岛北海岸一城市，1991年人口27,400，1858年建立的新城位于同名古城偏东北部，该古城是古希腊著名城邦。 convert: change one乪s religious faith or other beliefs改变宗教信仰（或其他信仰）; persuade (someone) to do this 说服（某人）改变信仰 degenerate: someone whose behavior is considered to be unacceptable. maniac: lunatic expound: explain in detaildoctrine: a set of briefscare: like( want, wish) to doWould you car to see the film with me tonight?If you care to come, you are welcome.He taught chiefly by example: He set an example to teach people how they should live. He did not just tell them how to live.escape complexities and superfluities and extravagances: live a simple life without complications or unnecessary and expensive things.only so: only in this wayelaborate furniture:that made up of a large number of pieces in a complicated way.He does not: (ellipsis)The rich man does not possess them. They possess him instead.In order to procure a quantity of false, perishable goods he has sold the only true, lasting good, his own independence: in order to obtain those things which make one乫s life comfortable, but which have no true value and cannot last long, the rich man has sold himself and become the slave of his money and property. The independence he has lost is in fact the most valuable thing and can last as long as he lives.goods that are likely to decay quickly, e.g. milk, butter, fish, fruit, etc.thing which is right and useful inspec t: look carefully atnewly subdued realm: recently conquered kingdomsupple: bending and moving easily and gracefully; flex