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英语故事:乐极生悲

时间:2012-08-11 06:05:52

(单词翻译:单击)

Chunyu Kun lived in the state of Qi during the Warring States Period (475-221 BC). He was wise, humorous and eloquent(雄辩的). He skillfully advised the king on many occasions and successfully went to many states as an envoy1.

 
In the year 349 BC, the State of Chu dispatched a large force to attack Qi. The king of Qi sent Chunyu Kun to the state of Zhao to ask for help, with a lot of valuable gifts. The king of Zhao accpeted the gifts gladly and sent a hundred thousand troops to help Qi. The king of Chu withdrew his army that very night as soon as he got the news.
 
The king of Qi was released and pleased with Chunyu Kun. He set a banquet(盛宴) for celebration. During the meal, the king asked Chunyu Kun, "How much wine can you drink before you're drunk, Sir?" Knowing the king had a bad habit of drinking all night, Chunyu Kun decided2 to take this chance toadmonish(告诫) the king. So he replied, "I get drunk when I drink ten litres or hundred."
 
Puzzled, the king asked, "Since you are drunk after ten litres, how can you finish another ninty litres?"
 
Chunyu Kun then explained that he could drink different amounts of wine under different conditions. He said, "This occurs to me that when you drink to your limit, you get so drunk that you lose your sense; once joy reaches its height, then it's sorrow's turn. This is the rule for everything. Whatever you do, you are bound to end up in the opposite direction when you exceed the limits."
 
Realizing Chunyu Kun was advising him, the king answered, "You are right. I will take your advice."
 
From then on, the king of Qi gave up his bad habit of drinking and playing all night.
 
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1 envoy xoLx7     
n.使节,使者,代表,公使
参考例句:
  • Their envoy showed no sign of responding to our proposals.他们的代表对我方的提议毫无回应的迹象。
  • The government has not yet appointed an envoy to the area.政府尚未向这一地区派过外交官。
2 decided lvqzZd     
adj.决定了的,坚决的;明显的,明确的
参考例句:
  • This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
  • There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。