The wisdom of keeping quiet

For many people across the world, one of life's most valuable qualities is wisdom.
对很多人来说，聪慧是人生命中最宝贵的财富之一，你怎么认为呢？
The wisdom of keeping quiet 
Yvonne: Hi, I'm Yvonne Archer¹, this is '6 minute English' and with me today is Callum Robertson. Hello Callum!
Callum: Hello Yvonne!
Yvonne: Today, words of wisdom. Callum – are you wise enough to explain the word 'wisdom' for us?
Callum: Well, I'll give it go! I'd say that 'wisdom' is something that usually comes to us as we gain more knowledge and experiences in life. And a wise person knows and understands how to make sensible² decisions based on that knowledge and on those experiences even when the decisions are diffcult.
Yvonne: Nice explanation.
Callum: Oh, well thank you!
Yvonne:So that's why older are usually the wisest because they've had more time to
gather knowledge and experiences in life – like Callum!
Callum: Are you saying I'm old?!
Yvonne:Didn't say anything! So wise words there from a wise man – Callum. But
>before we hear more on today's topic, are you wise enough to get today's question right, Callum?
Callum: Oh, I hope so!
Yvonne: Good. Who said "Life is like an onion（洋葱）: you peel（脱落，脱皮） it off one layer at a time and sometimes you weep（悲叹，哀悼，为。。伤心）." Was it: a) Carl Sandburg b) Alan Bennet – or c) Confucius?
Callum:I don't know who Carl Sandburg is, Alan Bennet is a British writer, Confucius is an old philosopher… I'm going to say Confucius -I don't know but I'll say Confucius.
>Yvonne: Nice choice - but we'll find out whether you're right or wrong later on. Now in today's report about words of wisdom – words and sayings which can help us understand how to be successful in life - we'll come across the word 'diplomacy³）外交）', You've probably heard it before in news reports but let's get Callum to tell us about it anyway.
Callum:Well, 'diplomacy' is – I suppose it's a skill really. It's an ability to say and do things without offending⁴ or upsetting people. And in news reports, we sometimes hear about 'diplomats⁵' – and it's their job to work in international relations, helping⁶ countries develop good relationships with each other.
Yvonne: But if someone says you're 'diplomatic⁷' – it isn't always a compliment,（称赞，恭维） is it?
Callum: Well no, not always. Some people might find it offensive⁸ if we don't tell them exactly what we mean or how we feel because we’re trying to be kind – we're trying to be diplomatic – we don't want to upset them. And that can leave some people wondering what we really mean.
Yvonne:Thanks Callum. So now, the BBC's Vanessa Feltz recently did a show about wisdom and the key to success – happiness in life. As she tells us what one listener said, try to find out which three areas of life they're talking about...
VANESSA FELTZ
Communication is the key to success but use diplomacy at home, at work -wherever you are. There may well be people listening who think the very opposite is true: keep quiet – silence is the key to success in romance⁹ and at work.
Yvonne:Callum, which three areas of life does Vanessa mention there?
Callum: Well she was talking about finding¹⁰ the key to success in life at home, life at work and also in romance – in our love lives.
Yvonne: Oooh! So all areas of life really. But, is it better to keep quiet if there's an argument or is it better to communicate in a diplomatic way – so, talk about things without upsetting the other person?
Callum: Umm – well that's a difficult question because of course, it depends on the situation, your relationship, the person you're talking to... For example, how old are they, how well do you know them and how do they get angry? Very quickly or not? All these things you have to think about.
>Yvonne: Yes, it's a tricky¹¹ question（偏题，怪题）.
Now in the next part of Vanessa's programme on words of wisdom, she uses some really lovely phrases. First, 'to keep schtum'. Callum?
Callum: 'To keep schtum' – well it's actually a mixture of English and Yiddish, which is the Jewish¹² language. But it's an expression that we use in everyday English as well. 'To keep schtum' -it means to keep quiet and not say anything.
Yvonne: Lovely. We'll also hear the word 'fence（围墙）' as in the term 'to sit on the fence' – and, to 'not state your case either way'. Don't those terms have similar meanings, Callum?
Callum: Yes, they do. If you 'sit on the fence' and don't get off, or you 'don't state your case', you don't tell people what you think and whether you agree with them or
not. And in an argument, it's not clear whose side you're on.
Yvonne:Okay – here's Vanessa again. She speaks a little more quickly this time - but try to catch those phrases…
 
VANESSA FELTZ
If you just keep 'schtum' and ride out the bad situation, you don't say anything, you don't get off the fence. In fact, you don't register¹³ at all. You're just, quiet, quiet, laid back and retiring, it will all go away – or it will all improve on its own and you won't have had to state your case either way. We're taking calls on wisdom this morning –'wisdom' you know that word - 'sagacity（精明，敏锐，有远见）' – another lovely word for wisdom!
Yvonne:Wow, Vanessa really loves the English language, doesn’t she?! But I don't think anyone has enough 'sagacity' – wisdom – to know all the answers in life.
Callum: Well, 'a sage¹⁴' might – and that's another word for a wise man, 'a sage'.
Yvonne: And luckily, Callum – you're my sage.
Callum: Ahh.
Yvonne: So please, don't get today's big question wrong! Who said "Life is like an onion: you peel it (off) one layer at a time and sometimes you weep"?
Callum: Well, I took a guess at Confucius.
Yvonne: And your guess was…wrong.
Callum: Oh no, not again!
Yvonne: Sorry, Callum. Yes, it was Carl Sandburg – an American poet. Now that's all we've got time for today. But do join us again next time for more '6 Minute English' when we'll all be a little older -and hopefully a lot wiser! C/Y: Goodbye!
(本文由在线英语听力室编辑整理)

1 archer   

n.射手，弓箭手

参考例句：

• The archer strung his bow and aimed an arrow at the target.弓箭手拉紧弓弦将箭瞄准靶子。
• The archer's shot was a perfect bull's-eye.射手的那一箭正中靶心。

2 sensible   

adj.可察觉的，意识到的，实用的；n.可感知物

参考例句：

• Are you sensible of the dangers of your position? 你觉察到你处境中的危险了吗？
• He was sensible enough to mind his own business.他颇有见识，不去管闲事。

3 diplomacy   

n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕

参考例句：

• The talks have now gone into a stage of quiet diplomacy.会谈现在已经进入了“温和外交”阶段。
• This was done through the skill in diplomacy. 这是通过外交手腕才做到的。

4 offending   

adj.不愉快的；厌恶的v.冒犯(offend的ing形式)

参考例句：

• The offending paragraph was deleted. 令某些人不悦的那段话已经删除。
• The petty clerk was afraid of offending his boss. 这个小职员不敢得罪他的老板。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 diplomats   

n.外交官( diplomat的名词复数 )；有手腕的人，善于交际的人

参考例句：

• These events led to the expulsion of senior diplomats from the country. 这些事件导致一些高级外交官被驱逐出境。
• The court has no jurisdiction over foreign diplomats living in this country. 法院对驻本国的外交官无裁判权。 来自《简明英汉词典》

6 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

7 diplomatic   

adj.外交的，从事外交的，策略的，有手腕的

参考例句：

• There are certain forms that must be followed in diplomatic circles.在外交界有一些礼节是必须遵守的。
• You must be more diplomatic in handling the situation.你在处理这一情况时，必须圆滑。

8 offensive   

adj.令人不快的，侮辱的，攻击用的；n.进攻

参考例句：

• His mode of doing business is offensive to me.他干事情的方式叫我很不喜欢。
• If all else fails,I will take the offensive.如果其他方法不行，我将采取攻势。

9 romance   

n.恋爱关系，浪漫气氛，爱情小说，传奇

参考例句：

• She wrote a romance about an artist's life in Tokyo.她写了一个关于一位艺术家在东京生活的浪漫故事。
• They tried to rekindle the flames of romance.他们试图重燃爱火。

10 finding   

n.发现，发现物；调查的结果

参考例句：

• The finding makes some sense.该发现具有一定的意义。
• That's an encouraging finding.这是一个鼓舞人心的发现。

11 tricky   

adj.狡猾的，奸诈的；(工作等)棘手的，微妙的

参考例句：

• I'm in a rather tricky position.Can you help me out?我的处境很棘手，你能帮我吗？
• He avoided this tricky question and talked in generalities.他回避了这个非常微妙的问题，只做了个笼统的表述。

12 Jewish   

adj.犹太人的，犹太民族的

参考例句：

• The coin bears a Jewish symbol.硬币上有犹太标记。
• They were two Jewish kids;I was friendly with both of them.他们是两个犹太小孩；我同他们都很要好。

13 register   

n.登记簿，花名册，注册员；v.登记，注册

参考例句：

• Please list your name in the attendance register.请在点名册上登记你的名字。
• He was looking over a hotel register.他正在仔细检查旅馆住宿登记表。

14 sage   

n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的

参考例句：

• I was grateful for the old man's sage advice.我很感激那位老人贤明的忠告。
• The sage is the instructor of a hundred ages.这位哲人是百代之师。