《time enough for love-时间足够你爱(英文版)》

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time enough for love-时间足够你爱(英文版)- 第80部分


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  〃That you will have; dear。〃
  
  〃I know and I am not worried。 So don't you worry; beloved Lazarus…don't think of it now。 Why did you say; earlier; 'that mythical time machine'?〃
  
  〃Eh? How would you describe it?〃
  
  〃I would describe it as an 'unrealized potential。' But 'mythical' implies impossibility。〃
  
  〃Eh? Keep talking!〃
  
  第29节
  
  〃Lazarus; I learned from Dora; when she taught me the mathematics of n…space astrogation; that every jump transition involves a decision as to when to reenter the time axis。〃
  
  〃Yes; certainly。 Since you are cut off from the framework of the speed…of…light you could go as many years astray as there are light…years involved in the jump。 But that's not a time machine。〃
  
  〃It isn't?〃
  
  〃Hmm… It's a disturbing thought…it feels like intentionally making a bad landing。 I wish Andy Libby were here。 Minerva; why didn't you mention this before?〃
  
  〃Should I have put it into your Zwicky Box? You turned down time travel forward 。 。 and I ruled out time travel into the past because you said you wanted something new。〃
  
  INTERMISSION
  
  Excerpts from the Notebooks of Lazarus Long
  
  Always;store beer in a dark place。
  
  *
  
  By the data to date; there is only one animal in the Galaxy dangerous to man…man himself。 So he must supply his own indispensable petition。 He has no enemy to help him。
  
  *
  
  Men are more sentimental than women。 It blurs their thinking。
  
  *
  
  Certainly the game is rigged。 Don't let that stop you; if you don't bet; you can't win。
  
  *
  
  Any priest or shaman must be presumed guilty until proved innocent。
  
  *
  
  Always listen to experts。 They'll tell you what can't be done; snd why。 Then do it。
  
  S
  
  Get a shot off fast。 This upsets him long enough to let you make your second shot perfect。
  
  *
  
  There is no conclusive evidence of life after death。 But here is no evidence of any sort against it。 Soon …enough you will know。 So why fret about it?
  
  *
  
  If it can't be expressed in figures; it is not science; it is opinion。
  
  It has long been known that one horse can run fister than another…but which one? Differences are crucial。
  
  *
  
  A fake fortueller can be tolerated。 But an authentic soothsayer should be shot on sight。 Cassandra did not get half the kicking around she deserved。
  
  *
  
  Delusions are often functional。 A mother's opinions about her children's beauty; intelligence; goodness; et cetera ad nauseam; keep her from drowning them at birth。
  
  *
  
  Most 〃scientists〃 are bottle washers and button sorters。
  
  *
  
  A 〃pacifist male〃 is a contradiction in terms。 Most selfdescribed 〃pacifists〃 are not pacific; they simply assume false colors。 When the wind changes; they hoist the Jolly Roger。
  
  *
  
  Nursing does not diminish the beauty of a woman's breasts; it enhances their charm by making them look lived in and happy。
  
  *
  
  A generation which ignores history has no past…and no future。
  
  *
  
  A poet who reads his verse in public may have other nasty habits。
  
  *
  
  What a wonderful world it is that has girls in it!
  
  *
  
  Small change can often be found under seat cushions。
  
  *
  
  History doss not record anywhere at any time a religion that has any rational basis。 Religion is a crutch for people not strong enough to stand up to the unknown without help。 But; like dandruff; most people do have a religion and spend time and money on it and seem to derive considerable pleasure from fiddling with it。
  
  第30节
  
  *
  
  It's amazing how much 〃mature wisdom〃 resembles beingtoo tired。
  
  *
  
  If you don't like yourself; you can't like other people。
  
  *
  
  Your enemy is never a villain in his own eyes。 Keep this in mind; it may offer a way to make him your friend。 If not; you can kill him without hate…and quickly。
  
  *
  
  A motion to adjourn is always in order。
  
  *
  
  No state has an inherent right to survive through conscript troops and; in the long run; no state ever; has。 Roman matrons used to say to their sons: 〃e back with your shield; or on it。〃 Later on; this custom declined。 So did Rome。
  
  *
  
  Of all the strange 〃crimes〃 that human beings have legislated… out of nothing; 〃blasphemy〃 is the most amazing…with 〃obscenity〃 and 〃indecent exposure〃 fighting it out for second and third place。
  
  *
  
  Cheops' Law: Nothing ever gets built on schedule or within budget。
  
  *
  
  It is better to copulate than never。
  
  *
  
  All societies are based on rules to protect pregnant women and young children。 All else is surplusage; excrescence; adornment; luxury; or folly which can…and must…be dumped in emergency to preserve this prime function。 As racial survival is the only universal morality; no other basic is possible。 Attempts to formulate a perfect society on any foundation other than 〃Women and children first!〃 is not only witless; it is automatically genocidal。 Nevertheless; starry…eyed idealists (all of them male) have tried endlessly…and no doubt will keep on trying。
  
  *
  
  All men are created unequal。
  
  *
  
  Money is a powerful aphrodisiac。 But flowers work almost as well。
  
  *
  
  A brute kills for pleasure。 A fool kills from hate。
  
  *
  
  There is only one way to console a widow。 But remember the risk。
  
  *
  
  When the need arises…and it does…you must be able to shoot your own dog。 Don't farm it out…that doesn't make it nicer; it makes it worse。
  
  *
  
  Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life; take big bites。 Moderation is for monks。
  
  *
  
  It may be better to be a live jackal than a dead lion; but it is better still to be a live lion。 And usually easier。
  
  *
  
  One man's theology is atiother man's belly laugh。
  
  *
  
  Sex should be friendly。 Otherwise stick to mechanical toys; it's more sanitary。
  
  *
  
  Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves。 Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child。
  
  *
  
  Never appeal to a man's 〃better nature。〃 He may not have one。 Invoking his self…interest gives you more leverage。
  
  *
  
  Little girls; like butterflies; need no excuse。
  
  *
  
  You can have peace。 Or you can have freedom。 Don't ever count on having both at once。
  
  *
  
  第31节
  
  Avoid making irrevocable decisions while tired or hungry。 N。B。: Circumstances can force your hand。 So think ahead!
  
  *
  
  Place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark。
  
  *
  
  An elephant: A mouse built to government specifications。
  
  *
  
  Throughout history; poverty is the normal condition of m

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