早期英语谚语中的两希伦理观探析

Greek and Hebrew Ethics in Early English Proverbs

早期英语谚语并非简单地反映了大不列颠文化表层方面的内容,而是极大地反映了其深层部分,即哲学传统的内容。由于脱胎于两希文化的大环境中,同时又担负着教化民众的重任,早期英语谚语很大程度上打上了两希伦理观的烙印,其中包括先哲们对德性本身的理解,对人生内涵、意义和价值等的界定,以及所作的相应伦理规定等。了解这一点,对于从伦理的角度还原早期英语谚语的主要精神气质和思想实质,理解其成为英语语言精髓的原因,从而从一个新的维度把握英伦传统文化以及在更高的程度上运用英语语言具有重要意义。

Early English proverbs do not only set up a mirror to the superficial elements in British culture,they do also reflect to a great extent its deep culture,i.e.,its philosophical tradition.Coming into being before the Renaissance,and being ordained to the mission of enlightening the general public,early English proverbs cannot avoid being influenced by the prevailing ethics of that time.These influences include the ancient Saints＇ ideas about Morality itself,their outlooks on life,its meaning and value,as well as all corresponding morals and ethics.Such an insight may help us better understand the dominant moral content of early English proverbs and the reasons why they are regarded as the cream of the English language,and thereupon grasp from a new dimmensioin the core of the British cultural tradition and employ at a higher level the language itself.