Monday, June 09, 2008

The Cream of English Proverbs 011

If each would sweep before his own door, we should have a clean street(city).
家家各把门前扫,整条街道(城市)都会井井有条。
Description:
国人自古就有“各扫门前雪”之说,然而紧随其后者为“莫管他人瓦上霜”。今人多以此讽刺只顾自己不管他人之人与事。也难怪,中国人笃信互助,自私者当诛。然而,西方人的观念却不同,他们看重的是自助,正所谓“自助者天助(God helps those (that) help themselves)”。在他们看来,只要把自己门前雪扫好,他人瓦上霜自由他人去负责。倘若每家都将自己的门前清理干净,那么整条街道自然就干净了。

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