英語中與智慧有關的習語十分普遍，了解它們對于提高我們的英語水平很有幫助。下面就是一些常見的相關習語。

1. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
直譯為“一盎司的預防勝過一英鎊的治療”。其意思就是從一開始就細心準備，考慮周全的話，就不會失敗。這句話十分地道，形象。下面有一個例子：
A: Don’t 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.
這則典故出自伊索寓言中《老鼠與獅子》中的教訓，告誡人們外表是欺騙人的東西。同樣這句話也可以說成“Looks are deceiving.”下面是一個例子：
A: How’s Alice doing? Are you going to fire her?
B: Appearances are deceiving. She’s the best assistant I have.
A: Really? I didn’t think she could do anything.

3. Brevity is the soul of wit.
這是莎翁名著《哈姆雷特》中的人物尼斯的著名臺詞，意思是“簡潔是智慧的精髓。”這句話對人說話，寫作等都有重要的啟迪。
A: I’m 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.
按照字面意思來看，這句話是說一次被騙是騙者的羞恥；兩次被騙是受騙者的羞恥。其實是在告戒人們要善于吸取教訓，引以為戒，否則一再受到損失就是自己的問題。下面給大家一個例子：
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.
這句話源自1953年Arthur C. Clarke的 Expedition to Earth中的話告誡人們要擺脫思想的束縛敢于創新和挑戰。
A: Let’s order a pizza for meeting.
B: But there’s a rule against eating in the office.
A: Rules are made to be broken.

6. The best thing comes in small packages.
這是用于送禮物的說法，意思是放在小箱子里的禮物總是珍貴的。有時也可以說“Precious diamonds come in small packages.”
A: What did George give you?
B: I don’t know, but this package is so tiny.
A: The best thing comes in small packages.

當然這只是有關智慧的習語的一部分，平時學習中我們可以多加積累，不僅對提高英語水平有幫助，而且可以幫助我們深入了解英語國家的文化。

（南京師范大學通訊員：朱宇清 英語點津姍姍編輯）

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（英語點津姍姍編輯）