A Theologico-Political Treatise [Part II]by Benedict de SpinozaAlso known as Baruch SpinozaTranslated by R. H. M. ElwesPart 2 - Chapters VI to XTABLE OF CONTENTS:CHAPTER VI - Of Miracles.Confused ideas of the vulgar on the subject.A miracle in the sense of a contravention of natural laws an absurdity.In the sense of an event, whose cause is unknown,...
在十九世纪末,没有人会相信,一些比人类强大得多、但是最终同样会死去的智慧生命,一直在密切注视着这个世界。在人们为了各自的事情忙碌时,他们被观察和研究着,也许正如人们用显微镜观察短暂生活在一滴水里的生物的游动、繁殖一样。人们心满意足的为了琐事在世上奔波忙碌,悠然自得地认为自己统治着一切。也许显微镜下的纤毛虫也是这么想的吧。没有人想过,古老的宇宙世界中可能存在着对人类的威胁,即便想到了,也只是认为在其他星球上不可能存在生命。现在来回顾一下过去人们的思维习惯,不禁让人觉得很奇怪。地球上的人们至多认为,火星上也许存在另外一些“人”,也许比自己低级得多,正等着传教士的光临。然而跨越茫茫太空,存在着这样的智慧生命,他们的智慧和我们相比,就像我们的智慧和那些已经灭绝了的野兽相比一样。他们数量庞大,冷酷无情,用妒忌的眼光注视着这个地球。他们慢慢地,然而又是坚定地制定了敌对我们的...
Three Ghost Storiesby Charles DickensContents:The Signal-ManThe Haunted-HouseThe Trial For MurderTHE SIGNAL-MAN"Halloa! Below there!"When he heard a voice thus calling to him, he was standing at thedoor of his box, with a flag in his hand, furled round its shortpole. One would have thought, considering the nature of the ground,that he could not have doubted from what quarter the voice came; but...
ON HEROES, HERO-WORSHIP, AND THE HEROIC IN HISTORYBy Thomas CarlyleCONTENTS.I. THE HERO AS DIVINITY. ODIN. PAGANISM: SCANDINAVIAN MYTHOLOGY.II. THE HERO AS PROPHET. MAHOMET: ISLAM.III. THE HERO AS POET. DANTE: SHAKSPEARE.IV. THE HERO AS PRIEST. LUTHER; REFORMATION: KNOX; PURITANISM.V. THE HERO AS MAN OF LETTERS. JOHNSON, ROUSSEAU, BURNS.VI. THE HERO AS KING. CROMWELL, NAPOLEON: MODERN REVOLUTIONISM.LECTURES ON HEROES.[May 5, 1840.]LECTURE I. THE HERO AS DIVINITY. ODIN. PAGA
FAIRY TALES OF HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSENTHE FIR TREEby Hans Christian AndersenFAR down in the forest, where the warm sun and the fresh airmade a sweet resting-place, grew a pretty little fir-tree; and yetit was not happy, it wished so much to be tall like its companions-the pines and firs which grew around it. The sun shone, and the softair fluttered its leaves, and the little peasant children passed by,...
Condensed Novelsby Bret HarteContents:HANDSOME IS AS HANDSOME DOESLOTHOW, or THE ADVENTURES OF A YOUNG GENTLEMAN IN SEARCH OF A RELIGIONMUCK-A-MUCK, A MODERN INDIAN NOVEL, AFTER JAMES FENIMORE COOPERTERENCE DENVILLESELINA SEDILIATHE NINETY-NINE GUARDSMEN [AFTER THE THREE MUSKETEERS, BY DUMAS]MISS MIX [AFTER CHARLOTTE BRONTE]GUY HEAVYSTONE; OR, "ENTIRE."MR. MIDSHIPMAN BREEZYJOHN JENKINS; OR, THE SMOKER REFORMEDNO TITLE [AFTER WILKE COLLINS]Contains:...
一进入子夜,涡河北岸的曲仁里上空,突然地就有些不寻常。先是在东方天际隐隐地闪现出紫色的祥云,慢慢地向曲仁里飘来,停在这个小小村落的上空,不断变幻着形状。接着,一颗明亮的流星飞快地划过夜空,穿越祥云,拖着长长的尾巴,无声地坠落在曲仁里。流星愉快地划破夜空的一刹那,天上似乎传出仙鹤的啼鸣。等流星的光亮消失之后,万籁俱寂,祥云低垂下来,紫气缭绕,像帷幕一样笼罩着曲仁里,轻轻地抖动,好像在等待着什么。一声响亮的婴儿啼哭让凝固的夜色震颤起来,哭声盘旋着在大地上回荡,然后升腾、升腾,在浩瀚的宇宙间游走。闪耀的星星听到了,欢快地跳动,兴奋地眨着眼睛;紫色的祥云听到了,舒展了一下身子,五颜六色地变幻着。几只仙鹤在祥云里翩翩起舞,低低地在一座茅草的院落上空盘旋。它们好像刚刚从瑶池中飞出来,身上还带着水珠。水珠晶亮地在雪白的羽毛上滚动,滴落下来,滴到地上,就砸出一口井。仙鹤的身上滴...
当初写“C t la vie”,只是想写一些生活里微小的意趣和幸福,谈不上甚么品味,却是我的信仰。停了一段日子之后再写,因为人生的经历有所不同了,写的居然多半是一些味觉的往事与回忆掺杂。在生命里流过的那些日子,不再只是在我头上停落一时的蝴蝶,而是一辈子的怀缅、抚慰和挽留。有甜蜜,也有感伤。“Breadtree Closet”又是另一个尝试。我喜欢买东西,心情好的时候,我会买来犒赏自己;心情不好的时候,更要买来慰藉自己。买了的东西,能够跟人分享,是赏心乐事。尤其当我知道自己写过的一支睫毛液、一支乳霜或一种饼干在随后几天就卖光了,那种满足感很难言喻。有时候,我甚至怀疑,是不是我写得比那件东西本身精彩了一点呢?那真是罪过!...