The Fox & the Lion

When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he stopped at a safe distance and watched him pass by.

The third time they came near one another the Fox went straight up to the Lion and passed the time of day with him, asking him how his family were, and when he should have the pleasure of seeing him again; then turning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony.

Familiarity breeds contempt.

Key points

breed 产生，导致

ceremony 礼节；礼仪

contempt 轻视

familiarity 熟悉；亲近

frighten 害怕

pleasure 荣幸

straight 直的

terribly 很，非常

狐狸和狮子

狐狸第一次看见狮子的时候，怕得要死，他匆忙逃开并把自己藏到了树林中。然而第二次遇见时，狐狸就靠近了百兽之王，在安全距离外看着狮子走过。第三次他们互相靠近时，狐狸径直走到狮子面前，和他待了一整天，聊起了狮子的家庭，还跟狮子客气，问何时还有荣幸能再见到狮子，然后狐狸一转身就走了，没有更多虚礼。

亲近产生轻慢。

本栏目选自《伊索寓言：汉英对照》，由现代出版社有限公司授权选载。