名言分析To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts

2022年6月26日

PEU 92
to do不定式可以做补语。
My ambition was to retire at thirty.

该句式可以用preparatory it,即
It was my ambition to retire at thirty.

该句式类似于 To be or not to be, that is the question。

art
1. [U] 艺术
2. the arts 统称的艺术
3. [C,常复] 人文科学,文科
4. [C] 技能;技术;技巧

因为quote里用的是arts,且没有the,应该取“技能;技术;技巧”之意。可能与state of the art类似。

a of b表示b的a。

highest,除了作为high的最高级,本身有词条。https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/86877?rskey=0Ygbqj&result=3&isAdvanced=false&p=emailAgW1/a6rL3RQI&d=86877

n. That which is most exalted, noble, or morally excellent.

1643 J. Milton Doctr. Divorce 17 He who affirms adultery to be the highest breach, affirms the bed to be the highest of mariage.
1867 J. A. Froude Short Stud. 1st Ser. I. 110 Such a man..is, decent and respectable; but the highest is not in him, and the highest will not come out of him.

作为总结,该quote的翻译可以是“影响一天的质量,那是技艺的最高境界。”