we come nearest to the great when we are great in humility.
當(dāng)我們極謙卑時(shí)，則幾於偉大。

the sparrow is sorry for the peacock at the burden of its tail.
麻雀因孔雀馱著翎尾而替它擔(dān)憂。

“i give my whole water in joy,“ sings the waterfall, '' though little of it is enough for the thirsty.''
瀑布歌唱著：「雖然渴者只需少許水便足夠，我卻樂意給與我的全部」

the woodcutter's axe begged for its handle from tree, the tree gave it.
樵夫的斧頭向樹要柄，樹便給了它。

he who wants to do good knocks at the gate; he who loves finds the gate open.
想要行善的人在門外敲著門；愛人的，看見門是敞開的。

the scabbard is content to be dull when it protects the keenness of the word.
劍鞘保護(hù)劍的鋒利，自己卻滿足於它自己的遲鈍。

the cloud stood humbly in a corner of the sky, the morning crowned it with splendour.
白云謙卑地站在天邊，晨光給它披上壯麗的光彩。

the dust receives insult and in return offers her flowers.
塵土承受屈辱，卻以鮮花來回報(bào)。

god is ashamed when the prosperous boasts of his special favour.
當(dāng)富貴利達(dá)的人夸說他得到上帝的恩惠時(shí)，上帝卻羞了。