断尾狐
by Aesop
出自《伊索寓言》
A Fox that had been caught in a trap, succeeded at last, after much painful tugging, in getting away. But he had to leave his beautiful bushy tail behind him.
有一只被陷阱困住的狐狸，经过非常绝望的挣扎后，最终成功逃脱了。但是，却没能保住他那条漂亮的毛尾巴。
For a long time he kept away from the other Foxes, for he knew well enough that they would all make fun of him and crack jokes and laugh behind his back. But it was hard for him to live alone, and at last he thought of a plan that would perhaps help him out of his trouble.
很长一段时间，他一直离他的同伴远远的，因为他很清楚，那些同伴只会取笑他、拿他开玩笑，甚至还在背后议论他。但是，他又不能离开同伴而独活，终于，他想出了一个主意，也许能够帮助他走出困境。
He called a meeting of all the Foxes, saying that he had something of great importance to tell the tribe.
他把所有狐狸召集起来开了一场会，声称自己有非常重要的事情要告诉大家。
When they were all gathered together, the Fox Without a Tail got up and made a long speech about those Foxes who had come to harm because of their tails.
当所有狐狸都到齐的时候，断尾狐站起来发表了一段长长的演说，主要意思是说狐狸们之所以会受到伤害，就在于他们的尾巴。
This one had been caught by hounds when his tail had become entangled in the hedge. That one had not been able to run fast enough because of the weight of his brush. Besides, it was well known, he said, that men hunt Foxes simply for their tails, which they cut off as prizes of the hunt. With such proof of the danger and uselessness of having a tail, said Master Fox, he would advise every Fox to cut it off, if he valued life and safety.
这只狐狸的尾巴被陷阱困住后就被猎狗捉住，那只狐狸因为尾巴太重而不能迅速逃脱。除此之外，众所周知，人类猎杀狐狸仅仅是为了他们的尾巴，砍下来的尾巴就被人类作为奖赏。这就很明显了，尾巴这种带来危险而又没有用处的东西，断尾狐大师说道，他建议如果狐狸们珍惜生命、顾及安危的话，每只狐狸都把尾巴砍掉。
When he had finished talking, an old Fox arose, and said, smiling:
"Master Fox, kindly turn around for a moment, and you shall have your answer."
他说完后，一只年老的狐狸站起身笑着说：“狐狸大师，请您转下身，你很快就会得到答复。”
When the poor Fox Without a Tail turned around, there arose such a storm of jeers and hooting, that he saw how useless it was to try any longer to persuade the Foxes to part with their tails.
于是，当这只可怜的断尾狐转过身去，会场又是阵阵哄堂大笑，现在他明白了，再继续劝说大家都把尾巴断掉只能是无用之功。
Do not listen to the advice of him who seeks to lower you to his own level.
正所谓：倾听别人的意见的时候，要分清是否适合自己。（直译为：不要听从那些企图把你降低到他自己水平的人的忠告。）
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