Lesson 11 How to grow old如何安度晚年 无灵主语 状语从句
First listen and then answer the following question: What, according to the author, is the best way to overcome the fear of death as you get older?
Some old people are oppressed by the fear of death.
In the young there is a justification for this feeling.
Young men who have reason to fear that they will be killed in battle may justifiably feel bitter in the thought that they have been cheated of the best things that life has to offer.
But in an old man who has known human joys and sorrows, and has achieved whatever work it was in him to do, the fear of death is somewhat abject and ignoble.
The best way to overcome it — so at least it seems to me — is to make your interests gradually wider and more impersonal, until bit by bit the walls of the ego recede, and your life becomes increasingly merged in the universal life.
An individual human existence should be like a river — small at first, narrowly contained within its banks, and rushing passionately past boulders and over waterfalls.
Gradually the river grows wider, the banks recede, the waters flow more quietly, and in the end, without any visible break, they become merged in the sea, and painlessly lose their individual being.
The man who, in old age, can see his life in this way, will not suffer from the fear of death, since the things he cares for will continue.
And if, with the decay of vitality, weariness increases, the thought of rest will be not unwelcome.
I should wish to die while still at work, knowing that others will carry on what I can no longer do, and content in the thought that what was possible has been done.
BERTRAND RUSSELL How to grow old from Portraits from Memory

与课文关联的单词
oppress
/əˈpres/v. 忧郁,压抑justification
/ˌdʒʌstɪfɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/n. 正当理由justifiably
/ˌdʒʌstɪˈfaɪəbli; ˈdʒʌstɪfaɪəbli/adv. 无可非议地cheat
/tʃiːt/v. 欺骗abject
/ˈæbdʒekt/adj. 可怜的ignoble
/ɪɡˈnəʊb(ə)l/adj. 不体面的,可耻的impersonal
/ɪmˈpɜːsənl/adj. 超脱个人感情影响的ego *
/ˈiːɡəʊ/n. 自我recede *
/rɪˈsiːd/v. 退去increasingly *
/ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli/adv. 日益,不断passionately
/ˈpæʃənətli/adv. 激昂地painlessly
/ˈpeɪnləsli/adv. 毫无痛苦地vitality
/vaɪˈtæləti/n. 精力weariness
/ˈwɪərinəs/n. 疲惫感观点 更新于:2025-11-04 07:01:09
How to grow old (with a positive attitude.) 如何以积极的态度变老?
Bertrand Russell 伯特兰·罗素(英国哲学家、数学家、诺贝尔文学奖得主)
- The Principles of Mathematics 数学原理
- A History of Western Philosophy西方哲学史
Bertrand Russell (British philosopher, mathematician and Nobel laureate)
He developed new ideas connecting mathematics and logic. He was also known as a pacifist, and he was one of the leading members of the opposition to nuclear weapons.
He received the Nobel Prize for literature in 1950.
Some old people are oppressed by the fear of death.
be oppressed by the fear of... 因为怕...而烦恼
- Many people are oppressed by the fear of unemployment/ inflation.
- Many girls are oppressed by the fear of getting fat. 因害怕发胖而烦恼
Many people are oppressed by the fear of being unable to afford the medical, educational and housing expenses. 因害怕负担不起...而烦恼
In the young there is a justification for this feeling.
in sb. 在某人身上
- You can feel helpfulness and care even in these small children.在这些小孩身上
- In this tall lean man, you can see a leader of great modesty. 在这个又高又瘦的男人身上
- The desire for adventure is strong in the young.在年轻人身上
| at a young age 在年轻时 | At a young age, Joni had a terrible diving accident. 在年轻的时候,乔妮遭遇了一次严重的车祸。 |
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there is a justification for... 做某事是正当合理的
- In this condition, there is a justification for intervention.有理由进行干预
| there is no justification for... 做某事是毫无合理的 | There is no justification for suicide bombing. 自杀式爆炸毫无合理性 |
|---|
there be + 无灵主语 地道句式
- There is always hope that the two sides will reach a peaceful resolution. 总是会有双方达成和平解决方案的希望(there is always hope that ... 总是会有...的希望)
- There is no denying that social media has dramatically changed how we communicate. 不可否认的是,社交媒体极大地改变了我们交流的方式(there is no denying that ... 不可否认的是...)
- There is no question that she is the most qualified candidate for the job. 毫无疑问,她是这份工作最合格的人选(there is no doubt/question that ... 毫无疑问的是...)
- Given the strong sales figures, there is every likelihood that the company will expand next year. 鉴于强劲的销售数字,该公司明年很有可能会扩张(there is every likelihood that ... 很有可能的是...)
- Due to the extreme weather, there is little likelihood that the flight will depart on time. 由于极端天气,航班不大可能会准时起飞(there is little likelihood that ... 不大可能的是...)
- There is no shortage of brilliant young people seeking opportunities in the tech industry. 在科技行业中,有的是寻求机会的杰出年轻人(there is no shortage of ... 有的是...;不缺乏...)
There is probably an element of truth in this argument, but they ignore a more basic fact that the freedom of the press is often abused.
Albert Einstein once attributed the creativity in a famous scientist to the fact that he never went to school. There is undoubtedly a truth in his observation, but such a truth is not criticism of schools.
| there is an element of truth in ... 有点道理… | Perhaps there is an element of truth in both these pictures, but few of us have had the opportunity to find out. |
|---|---|
| there is a good deal of truth in ... 很有道理… | Apparently, there is a good deal of truth in this idea. |
| there is a truth in 有道理 | There's more than a grain of truth in that. 其中包含不少真理。 |
Young men who have reason to fear that they will be killed in battle may justifiably feel bitter in the thought that they have been cheated of the best things that life has to offer.
in battle / in action 在战斗中
- His father told everybody that Eric had been killed in action.在战斗中
- Franz poured scorn on the idea, pointing out that his brother had been killed in action during the war.
- Many soldiers were wounded in battle.
bitter adj.painful; sorrowful 痛苦的
- She shed bitter tears when she heard the news. 她流下了痛苦的眼泪
- It was a bitter experience that she would never forget.
- The failure left him with a bitter feeling.
in the + 表示感觉的名词 belief / thought / discovery that... 因为某人相信/认为/发现...(作原因状语)
- ...tax-collectors can make mistakes or act over-zealously in the belief that(= because they believe that) they are serving the public. in the belief that … = because sb. believe that … 因为某人相信……
- The men of our family waded down through our flooded meadows with boathooks, in the hope of being (=because they hope to be) able to grapple a corner of the raft and pull it out of the current towards our bank. in the hope of doing / that … 有这样地希望…(引出同位语)= because sb. hope to do / that … 因为某人希望……
- In the lift her thoughts were on lunch and a good rest; but when she got out at her own floor, both were forgotten in her sudden discovery that (=because she suddenly discovered that) her front door was open. in the discovery that … = because sb. discover that … 因为某人发现了……
- Police are carrying out a house-to-house search in the hope of finding the missing girl.
- They leave unwanted objects in drawers, cupboards and attics for years, in the belief that (=because they believe that) they may one day need just those very things.
at the... of... 一...就(作时间状语短语)
- On the other hand, your stomach would turn at the idea of frying potatoes in animal fat -- the normally accepted practice in many northern countries.
- Most of my friends live in the city, yet they always go into raptures at the mere mention of the country. at the mere mention of... 一提到就...
- She wept at the mention of the accident.一提到就…
| at the sight of... 一看到...就... | She screamed at the sight of the ghost. |
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| at the thought of... 一想到...就... | She trembled at the thought of the murder. |
| at the news of... 一获得(消息)就... | She fainted at the news of her father’s death. |
be cheated (out) of sth. 被骗走某个东西
- They have been cheated of the best things that life has to offer.
- He was cheated out of his inheritance.
- The salesman tried to cheat me out of my money.
表达“抢走/剥夺某人某个东西” 同义词替换
… they have been robbed / deprived / stripped / divested the best things… 课文替换
| rob sb. of sth. 抢劫/剥夺某人某物(通常指暴力或威胁) | The thieves robbed the traveler of his passport and money. 盗贼抢走了这位旅行者的护照和钱财。 |
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| deprive sb. of sth. 剥夺某人某物(常指权利、必需品等,正式或法律用语) | A lack of sleep can seriously deprive a person of the ability to concentrate. 缺乏睡眠会严重剥夺一个人的注意力。 |
| strip sb. of sth. 剥夺/夺走某人某物(常指权力、头衔、荣誉等,含有强行、公开移除的意味) | The athlete was stripped of his gold medal after testing positive for banned substances. 这名运动员在禁药检测呈阳性后被剥夺了金牌。 |
| divest sb. of sth. 解除/剥夺某人某物(常指地位、权力、头衔,较正式) | The board voted to divest the former CEO of all corporate titles. 董事会投票决定解除这位前首席执行官的所有公司头衔。 |
| confiscate sth. 没收 | Miss Williams confiscated all our sweets. |
转折 更新于:2025-11-04 10:49:53
But in an old man who has known human joys and sorrows, and has achieved whatever work it was in him to do, the fear of death is somewhat abject and ignoble. 本句雅思写作 8+ 分
| But | in an old man | who has known human joys and sorrows, | and has achieved | whatever work it was in him to do, | the fear of death is somewhat abject and ignoble. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 并列连词 | 介词短语(修饰主句的谓语) | 定语从句 | 并列(定语从句) | 宾语从句(to do whatever work was in him) | 主句 |
| 状语 | |||||
know v. experience; see 经历
- China has known many wars.中国经历过许多战争
- The city must have known prosperity.这座城市一定经历过繁荣
| see v. 经历 | He has seen better days.他经历过更好的日子 |
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joys and sorrows 悲欢离合;起起伏伏(ups and downs)
- They have been through many joys and sorrows together.
- Life is full of ups and downs.起起伏伏
- Despite the joys and sorrows, they remained optimistic.
whatever work (that / which) it was in him(=within his ability) to do 他力所能及的任何工作
- He achieved whatever work it was in him to do.他力所能及的任何工作
- She contributed whatever support it was in her to give.她力所能及的任何支持
- The team finished whatever tasks it was in them to complete.他们力所能及的任何任务
somewhat 某种程度上;稍微(to some extent / degree)
- The fear of death is somewhat abject.对死亡的恐惧有点可鄙
- The results were to some extent disappointing.
- I found the movie somewhat confusing.
The best way to overcome it -- so at least it seems to me -- is to make ¤ your interests gradually wider and more impersonal, until bit by bit the walls of the ego recede, and your life becomes increasingly merged in the universal life.
overcome / conquer 克服(某种不良情绪)
- You must learn to overcome fear克服恐惧 / shyness害羞.
- It took her years to conquer her fear克服她的恐惧 of flying.
- The best way to overcome it克服它 is to make your interests wider.
at least 至少(= at any rate)
- The car is old, but at least it is reliable.
- I need five dollars, or at least four.
- I read she's twenty-nine, but she must be at least forty.
| at any rate 至少 | ...and seriously believe—at any rate for short periods—that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue. |
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so it seems 看似是这样
- —‘So he’s not coming with us?’ —‘So it seems.’ 看来是这样
- The ultimate benchmark of the well-being of any society—so at least it seems to me—is the general welfare of all its people.
- ‘Did they cancel the meeting?’ ‘So it seems.’
society’s citizens be weakened, but the philosophical underpinnings of democracy would be undermined as well. Therefore, notwithstanding the significance of a society’s overall success, the ultimate benchmark of the well-being of any society―so at least it seems to me―is the general welfare of all its people. Gre写作范文(段落总结句)
gradually adv. little by little; bit by bit; by degrees 逐渐的
- Make your interests gradually wider and more impersonal. 逐渐地
- The walls of the ego recede bit by bit.一点一点地
- The weather is getting colder by degrees.逐渐地
to broaden / expand 拓宽;拓展
- Instead, think of it as a way to broaden your knowledge. 相反,把他看作是一种拓宽知识的方式。
- It is also lowering its minimum sizes in order to broaden its appeal. 他们也降低了最小的型号来增加吸引力。
- We have to expand the size of the image. 我们不得不扩大图像的尺寸。
- You then have more opportunities to expand your professional network than if you worked alone. 与独自工作相比,这样你会有更多的机会扩展职业网络。
| to broaden / expand your horizons 拓展眼界 | Travelling is a good way to broaden / expand your horizons.拓展你的眼界 |
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超脱个人情感 写作类似表达
- to meet like-minded people 结识志同道合的人
- Don’t indulge in solitude. 不要沉迷于孤独之中
- Don’t be ego-centric. 不要过分以个人为中心
- Make yourself liberal and sociable. 让自己越来越开明、外向
wall 障碍;隔阂(比喻)
- tariff wall 贸易壁垒
- The years had built a wall between the two families. 隔阂
- We need to break down the walls of prejudice. 打破障碍
无我相,无人相,无众生相,无寿者相。— 释迦牟尼佛
吾所以有大患者,为吾有身。及吾无身,吾有何患?— 老子
The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self. — Albert Einstein
be merged in / into 被融入/合并到一起
- Your life becomes increasingly merged in the universal life.你的生命日益融入普遍的生命之中
- The three companies were merged / joined in/into one.三家公司合并成一家
- The remote hills gradually merged into the dark sky.远处的山丘逐渐融入黑暗的天空
| be joined in ... 在...中结合/连接(强调状态) | The two companies will be joined in a strategic alliance to compete globally. 这两家公司将通过战略联盟结合在一起,以在全球竞争。 |
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| be joined into ... 被连接/并入...中(强调结果) | The newly built wing will be joined into the main hospital complex. 新建的侧翼将并入主医院大楼。 |
| merge into ... 融化到/合并到一起;融入 |
|
universal 普遍的;大众的
- In spite of national differences, certain funny situations have a universal appeal.
- Certain funny situations have a universal appeal.普遍的吸引力
- The belief in justice is a universal concept.
- Respect for elders is a universal value.
| cosmic adj. 宇宙的;巨大的,无限的 | The scientist studies the origin of the universe and cosmic rays. 这位科学家研究宇宙的起源和宇宙射线。 |
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| universe n. 宇宙;世界;领域 | Is there life elsewhere in the universe? 在宇宙的其他地方有生命吗? |
| cosmic being 宇宙生物;拥有宇宙般力量的存在 | The science fiction novel featured a powerful and ancient cosmic being. 这本科幻小说中出现了一个强大而古老的宇宙生物。 |
* An individual human existence should be like a river -- small at first, narrowly contained within its banks, and rushing passionately past boulders and over waterfalls.
extended simile (扩喻)扩展的明喻(比喻后做详细的解释)
- Laws are like cobwebs, where the small flies are caught and the great break through. 法律就像蜘蛛网,小苍蝇被困住,大个的破网而出。
- The city was like an oven, baking everyone. 这座城市就像一个烤箱,烘烤着每一个人。
(being) small at first (言下之意)
- The river is small at first, representing the early years of life.
- The approach to the Hidden Land was a passage --narrow at first, scarcely admitting one soul, and demanding a brief, focused trek, before it dissolved into sudden, boundless space. 从口入,初极狭,才通人。复行数十步,豁然开朗。
| when you are a baby/child |
|
|---|---|
| when you are in your youth | difficulties and obstacles 年青人的生活中会遇到艰难险阻;困难和障碍 |
结论 更新于:2025-11-04 12:22:40
Gradually the river grows wider, the banks recede, the waters flow more quietly, and in the end, without any visible break, they become merged in the sea, and painlessly lose their individual being.
| when you are in your middle age |
|
|---|---|
| when you are in old age (in the end) |
|
visible adj. obvious 明显的
- Any ship that crosses the Pacific is accompanied for many days by the smaller albatross, which may keep company with the vessel for an hour without visible or more than occasional movement of wing.
- There was a visible improvement in her health.
- The most visible sign of the intensity of the crisis is unemployment. 危机加剧的最明显迹象是失业情况。
The man who, in old age, can see his life in this way, will not suffer from the fear of death, since the things he cares for will continue.
suffer (from) 苦于某事
- The man will not suffer from the fear of death.不会遭受对死亡的恐惧
- Dieters suffer from violent mood swings. 节食者们经受剧烈的情绪变化的折磨。
- Many kids suffer from acne and angst.许多孩子深受粉刺和焦虑之苦。
| be afflicted by / with... 苦于某事 | He is afflicted by / with diabetes / a sense of inferiority. |
|---|---|
| be racked / tormented / tortured + by / with... 痛不欲生(语气更重) | God almighty, where are you when the world is racked / tormented / tortured by war.被战争折磨得痛不欲生 |
since 因为(连词)
- Since the deadline has been extended, we have another week to finalize the report. (既然截止日期已经延长了,我们就有多一周的时间来完成报告。)
- The movie received excellent reviews, since it features two Oscar-winning actors and a renowned director. (这部电影获得了极好的评价,因为它由两位奥斯卡获奖演员和一位著名导演主演。)
- Since we are all here and ready, let's start the meeting immediately. (既然我们都到齐了并准备好了,我们这就开始会议吧。)
since 做介词,表“自从”
- He's been in exile in India since 1959. 他自1959年以来一直流亡印度。
- She's lived there since before the war. 她从战前起就一直住在那里。
- I've done nothing much since this morning. 自从今天上午我什么都没做。
| because of ... 因为...;由于...(最常用,中性) | The flight was delayed because of the heavy fog. 由于大雾,航班延误了。 |
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| by reason of... 由于...;因为...(较正式,常用于法律或官方语境) | He was excused from the duty by reason of his ill health. 他因健康状况不佳而被免除了职责。 |
| due to ... 由于...;归因于...(中性,常用于解释原因) | The accident was due to the driver's carelessness. 这次事故是由于司机的粗心大意。 |
| for 因为 (作介词,用于表示原因的名词后) | He's soon to make a speech explaining his reasons for going. 他很快将会发表讲话说明去的原因。 |
| owing to ... 由于...;因为...(较正式,与 because of 相似,但更正式) | Owing to the cancellation of the train, we had to take a taxi. 由于火车取消了,我们不得不打出租车。 |
| thanks to ... 多亏了...;幸亏有...(强调积极、有利的原因) | We finished the project on time thanks to everyone's hard work. 多亏了大家的努力工作,我们才按时完成了项目。 |
| on account of ... 由于...;因为...(中性,与 because of 意思相近,略正式) | The store closed early on account of the power outage. 由于停电,商店提前关门了。 |
介词 + 名词 + 同位语从句 = 普通从属连词 语法替换(介词改造当连词用)
- People who work in offices are frequently referred to as ‘white-collar workers' for the simple reason that they usually wear a collar and tie to go to work.
- I was not surprised to find that the machine still refused to work after I had reassembled it, for the simple reason that I was left with several curiously shaped bits of metal which did not seem to fit anywhere.
- Despite the fact that the bottle is tinted a delicate shade of green, an observant visitor would soon notice that it is filled with what looks like a thick, grayish substance.
| despite the fact that ... 尽管...(正式)tough / although / even though / while ... | Despite the fact that the evidence was insufficient, the jury found him guilty. 尽管证据不足,陪审团仍然裁定他有罪。 |
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| in spite of the fact that ... 尽管...(正式)tough / although / even though / while ... | The event was a great success in spite of the fact that the weather was terrible. 尽管天气很糟糕,这次活动仍然非常成功。 |
| for the reason that ... 因为...;由于...(正式) | The proposal was rejected for the reason that it was too expensive. 该提案被拒绝的原因是它太昂贵了。 |
| because of the fact that ... 因为...;由于...(正式) | The merger was postponed because of the fact that the financial details were incomplete. 由于财务细节不完整,合并被推迟了。 |
| due to the fact that ... 由于...;因为...(正式) | The closure of the road was necessary due to the fact that there were severe floods. 由于发生严重洪水,关闭道路是必要的。 |
| on account of the fact that ... 因为...;由于...(正式)because / since / as ... | Security was heightened on account of the fact that the threat level had been raised. 由于威胁级别提高,安保措施得到了加强。 |
care for 喜欢
- The things he cares for will continue.
- I don't really care for modern art.
- Would you care for a cup of tea?
| care about 关心,在乎,介意 | He doesn't seem to care about his grades. 他似乎不在乎 |
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And if, with the decay of vitality, weariness increases, the thought of rest will be not unwelcome.
decay v./n.腐烂;衰退、衰败
- Old civilization may fall into decay.衰败
- The power of the Roman Empire was decaying at the time of Nero.
- Each civilization is born, it culminates, and it decays.
unwelcome adj. unwanted; undesirable 不想要的
- The mayor delivered the unwelcome news that city employees may have to take unpaid time off. 市长宣布了人们不想听到的消息,所有城市雇员可能不得不进行不带薪休工。
- GIANNI MION'S holiday started with an unwelcome surprise. 詹尼米翁在假期的一开始就遇到了一桩意外事件。
- Hidden and unwelcome impulses from the unconscious from emerging.来自无意识暴露出的隐藏和讨厌的冲动。
I should wish to die while still at work, knowing that others will carry on what I can no longer do, and content in the thought that what was possible has been done.
I should... 我倒是希望这样(表达一种不太成熟的看法、意见)
- I should imagine it will take about 3 hours.
- I should think that's a good idea.
while still at work 状语从句的省略(1.状语从句的主语与主句主语一致。2.状语从句的谓语包含 be 动词。)
- Metals expand when heated and contract when cooled. when (they are) heated 加热时
- Francis Preston Blair Jr., although born in Kentucky, lived and practiced in Missouri. although (he was) born in Kentucky 尽管他出生在肯塔基州
- He is therefore forgiven if late for a dinner party.if (he is) late for a dinner party 如果他参加晚宴迟到
- We’ll resolve the Vladivostok issue with peaceful means when (it is) ever possible, with force when (it is) necessary. (例外)如果状语从句的主语是虚指的主语it,那这个时候就可以把be动词和主语it同时省略,可以不考虑主句主语统一
…, and content in the thought that…
…, and (being) content / satisfied in the thought (=because I think) that …
练习题
M: Do you think professor Smith will cancel class on account of the special conference? W: Not likely.Q: What does the woman mean?(单选)
A、She doesn’t like the professor very much.B、She doubts class will be canceled.C、She doesn’t want to attend the conference.D、She wonders whether the professor is an accountant.
Bertrand Russell (British philosopher, mathematician and Nobel laureate)