适合的才是最好的Suit Is Best
威廉·黑兹利特/ William Hazlitt
威廉·黑兹利特（1778—1830），英国随笔作家。他清晰、直接、男子气概的风格极大地影响了一批随笔作家。他在《莎剧人物》《论英国喜剧作家》和《论伊丽莎白时代戏剧文学》中的评论研究因可读性和洞察力敏锐而分外知名，这些评论后来收集整理成的讲稿被收录到《席间闲谈》，又名《关于人物及风格的新评论》。
Ace in the Hole
Understand these new words before you listen to this article.
1. pretension [pri'ten??n] n. 自负；骄傲
2. clench [klent?] v. 紧握；确定
3. ornament ['?:n?m?nt] n. 装饰
4. cumbrous ['k?mbr?s] adj. 累赘的，成负担的
The proper force of words lies not in the words themselves, but in their application. A word may be a fine sounding word, of an unusual length, and very imposing from its learning and novelty, and yet in the connection in which it is introduced may be quite pointless and irrelevant. It is not pomp or pretension, but the adaptation of the expression to the idea, that clenches a writer’s meaning: as it is not the size or glossiness of the materials, but their being fitted each to its place, that gives strength to the arch; or as the pegs and nails are as necessary to the support of the building as the larger timbers, and more so than the mere showy, unsubstantial ornaments. I hate anything that occupies more space than it is worth. I hate to see a load of bandboxes go along the street, and I hate to see a parcel of big words without anything in them. A person who does not deliberately dimples of all his thoughts alike in cumbrous draperies and flimsy disguises—may strike out twenty varieties of familiar everyday language, each coming somewhat nearer to the feeling he wants to convey, and at last not hit upon that particular and only one which may be said to be identical with the exact impression in his mind. This would seem to show that Mr. Cobalt is hardly right in saying that the first word that occurs is always the best. It may be a very good one; and yet a better may present itself on reflection or from time to time. It may be suggested naturally, however, and spontaneously, from a fresh and lively conception of the subject.
参考译文
词汇的严格意义不在于词汇本身，而在于词汇的应用。一个单词可能音节嘹亮，字母很多，单就它的学术价值和新奇感来说，可能是令人叹赏的，然而把它放在具体的语境中，也可能毫无意义。表达作者的写作意图不是依靠词汇的华丽和夸张，而是对作者主题的贴切适用。正如在建筑中，不必在意材料的大小和光泽，只要它们砌合得完整严实，就能牢固地支撑拱门。又或是在建筑物中，木楔和钉子的支撑作用有时竟与大件木料同等重要，它的作用远远胜过那些徒有其表、不结实的装饰部件。我讨厌那些空占地方的东西，讨厌满载一大堆空纸盒的车招摇过市，也讨厌堆砌那些大而无实际内容的词汇。一个人写文章，只要他不是故意用重重锦绣帐幔和多余伪装完全遮掩自己的写作意图，他总会从熟悉的日常用语中想出一二十种说法，这种语言更接近他所要表达的情感。最后，他就会因为不知道挑选哪一种说法能更好地表达自己而发愁！这样看来，考拜特先生所谓的“第一印象就是最好的说法”未必可靠。这样出现的字眼也许很好，可是经过一次次推敲，就会发现更好的字眼。这种字眼，也许来源于自然的暗示，但经过对主题清新活泼的推理，会自然而然地想到。
心灵小语
即使你拥有一把金钥匙，但不是能打开宝藏大门的钥匙，同样也无法获得更多的财富。一把钥匙只能开一把锁，合适的才是最好的。
Learning for Better Understanding
Listen to the article, and then try to recite the following sentences.
1. The proper force of words lies not in the words themselves, but in their application.
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2.It may be a very good one; and yet a better may present itself on reflection or from time to time.
Chunks in Practice
Listen to the following passage twice and then fill in the blanks with
appropriate words.
1. A word may be a fine______word, of an unusual length, and very______from its learning and novelty, and yet in the______in which it is introduced may be quiteand______.
2. This would seem to show that Mr. Cobalt is______right in saying that the first word that occurs is always______. It may be a very good one; and yet a better may present itself on reflection or______.
Show Window
List some words having different meanings in various contexts.
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