"What time is it by your watch?"[1] This question,which is undoubtedly[2] one of the most frequently asked in the world,suggests the idea that each of us has a separate[3] time of his own,just as he has a separate head of his own.
And as a matter of fact,[4] it often happens that the watches produced[5] by two or more persons at the same time show different times.One of them may be right,and yet often none of them are right.At any rate,[6]only one of them may be right,and the other or others must be wrong.
Well,I seem to hear you say,"Mr Kê,you are referring to[7] poor watches.You must own but a poor watch." Reader,I do not own a watch at all.Once I owned one,but I soon had to get rid of it[8] for economy's sake.[9]
For so far as watches are concerned,[10] owning is almost the same thing as owing.[11]Buying a watch may be compared to borrowing money.Sudden stoppage,high speed,slow movement,going by fits and starts[12] - all these remind you to pay the interest falling due.[13]
Nor is it true of [14]poor watches only.I know people who have paid large sums for their watches,but who have to make periodical[15] little payments on them.And the larger the principal,the larger the interest.[16]
I know a lady who says her watch is such a good one that she takes care[17]not to wind it up[18] until it runs down.[19] Is it true that a good watch must not be wounded up until it runs down? If so,it seems to be necessary that anyone who owns a good watch should own a poor one as well.[20] Moreover,the poor watch would have to serve the good one - for the simple reason that it is poor.
注释
[1]What time is it by your watch？：君之表上此刻为何时？
[2]undoubtedly：无疑
[3]separate：各别的
[4]as a matter of fact：在事实上
[5]produced：取出
[6]At any rate：无论如何
[7]referring to：说及
[8]had to get rid of it：不得不弃之
[9]for economy's sake：为节省起见
[10]so far as watches are concerned：就表而论
[11]owing：欠（钱）
[12]going by fits and starts：时走时停
[13]interest falling due：到期之利息（指修表所用之钱）
[14]of：关于
[15]periodical：定期的
[16]the larger the principal,the large the interest：本金愈大，则子金亦愈大
[17]takes care：留心
[18]wind it up：开此表；给表上发条
[19]runs down：（发条走完而）停
[20]as well：亦