小王子 第38期:什么叫短暂

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这是为什么？花是最美丽的东西。

"We do not record them," said the geographer¹, "because they are ephemeral."

我们不记载花卉是因为花卉是短暂的。

What does that mean "ephemeral'?

什么叫短暂？

"Geographies," said the geographer, are the books which, of all books, are most concerned with matters of consequence.

“地理学书籍是所有书中最严肃的书。”地理学家说道，

They never become old-fashioned.

这类书是从不会过时的。

It is very rarely that a mountain changes its position.

很少会发生一座山变换了位置，

It is very rarely that an ocean empties itself of its waters.

很少会出现一个海洋干涸的现象。

We write of eternal things.

我们要写永恒的东西。

"But extinct volcanoes may come to life again," the little prince interrupted.

“但是熄灭的火山也可能会再复苏的。”小王子打断了地理学家。

What does that mean "ephemeral'?

什么叫短暂？

"Whether volcanoes are extinct or alive, it comes to the same thing for us," said the geographer.

“火山是熄灭了的也好，苏醒的也好，这对我们这些人来讲都是一回事。”地理学家说，

The thing that matters to us is the mountain. It does not change.

对我们来说，重要的是山。山是不会变换位置的。

"But what does that mean'ephemeral'?" repeated the little prince,

“但是，‘短暂’是什么意思？”小王子再三地问道。

who never in his life had let go of a question, once he had asked it.

他一旦提出一个问题是从不放过的。

It means, which is in danger of speedy disappearance².

意思就是：有很快就会消失的危险。

Is my flower in danger of speedy disappearance?

我的花是很快就会消失的吗？

Certainly it is.

那当然。

"My flower is ephemeral," the little prince said to himself, and she has only four thorns to defend herself against the world.

小王子自言自语地说：“我的花是短暂的，而且她只有四根刺来防御外侮！”

And I have left her on my planet, all alone!

可我还把她独自留在家里！

That was his first moment of regret. But he took courage once more.

这是他第一次产生了后悔，但他又重新振作起来，

"What place would you advise me to visit now?" he asked.

“您是否能建议我去看些什么？”小王子问道。

"The planet Earth," replied the geographer. "It has a good reputation."

“地球这颗行星，”地理学家回答他说，“它的名望很高。”

And the little prince went away, thinking of his flower.

于是小王子就走了，他一边走一边想着他的花。

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