立论

Argument

文/鲁迅   译/黎历

By Luxun /Tr. By Lily

我梦见自己正在小学校的讲堂上预备作文，向老师请教立论的方法。

I dreamed I was preparing my composition writing in the classroom of elementary school. I asked the teacher about ways of argument.

“难！”老师从眼镜圈外斜射出眼光来，看着我，说。“我告诉你一件事——

‘It’s difficult!’ The teacher threw an oblique look at me beyond his vision glasses and said. "I'll tell you one thing-

“一家人家生了一个男孩，合家高兴透顶了。满月的时候，抱出来给客人看，——大概自然是想得一点好兆头。

‘A family was overjoyed when a baby boy was born into it. Guests were invited to come over for a celebration of the full month of the baby. The baby boy was shown to the guests, - of course for some good wishes.

“一个说：‘这孩子将来要发财的。’他于是得到一番感谢。

‘One guest said: 'This child will make a fortune in the future.’ He then got some thanks from the family.

“一个说：‘这孩子将来是要死的。’他于是得到一顿大家合力的痛打。

‘Another one said: ‘This child will die in the future.’ Then he was beaten terribly by all people there together.’

“说要死的必然，说富贵的许谎。但说谎的得好报，说必然的遭打。你……”

‘Saying the death is telling the truth because death is inevitable, while saying the wealth just tells a lie because everybody dies finally. But the liar was well rewarded while the truth teller was punished. You ......’

“我愿意既不说谎，也不遭打。那么，老师，我得怎么说呢？”

‘I’d like neither to lie, nor to be beaten. Then, master, what do I have to say?’

“那么，你得说：‘啊呀！这孩子呵！您瞧！那么……。阿唷！哈哈！Heh e！he，he he he he！’”

‘So, you have to say: ‘Oh, boy, oh, please look. So ......oh dear, Ah ha he he he he!!!.!!!!'"

一九二五年七月八日

July 8, 1925