口语学习技巧|与智慧有关的习语

英语中与智慧有关的习语十分常见，知道它们对于提升大家的英语水平非常有帮助。下面就是一些容易见到的有关习语。

1. An ounce^{1 of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
直译为一盎司的预防胜过一英镑的治疗。其意思就是从刚开始就细心筹备，考虑周全的话，就不会失败。这句话十分地道，形象。下面有一个例子：
A: Dont you think you should deal with this problem now?
B: I will do something about it tomorrow.
A: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.}

2. Appearances are deceiving^{3.
这则典故源于伊索寓言中《老鼠与狮子》中的教训，告诫大家外表是欺骗人的东西。同样这句话也可以说成Looks are deceiving.下面是一个例子：
A: Hows Alice doing? Are you going to fire her?
B: Appearances are deceiving. Shes the best assistant I have.
A: Really? I didnt think she could do anything.}

3. Brevity is the soul of wit^{2.
这是莎翁名著《哈姆雷特》中的人物尼斯的著名台词，意思是简洁是智慧的精髓。这句话对人说话，写作等都有要紧的启迪。
A: Im supposed to give a speech today. Do you have any advice?
B: Just remember, brevity is the soul of wit.}

4. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
根据字面意思来看，这句话是说一次让人骗是骗者的羞耻；两次让人骗是被骗者的羞耻。其实是在告戒大家要擅长吸取教训，引以为戒，不然一再遭到损失就是我们的问题。下面给大伙一个例子：
A: I did a stupid thing. I lent John some money.
B: Again? This is the third time.
A: I know. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.

5. Rules are made to be broken.
这句话来源于1953年Arthur C. Clarke的 Expedition to Earth中的话告诫大家要摆脱思想的束缚敢于革新和挑战。
A: Lets order a pizza for meeting.
B: But theres a rule against eating in the office.
A: Rules are made to be broken.

6. The best thing comes in small packages.
这是用于送礼物物的说法，意思是放在小箱子里的礼物一直珍贵的。有时也可以说Precious diamonds come in small packages.
A: What did George give you?
B: I dont know, but this package is so tiny.
A: The best thing comes in small packages.

当然这只不过有关智慧的习语的一部分，平常学习中大家可以多加积累，不只对提升英语水平有帮助，而且可以帮助大家深入知道英语国家的文化。