The Bible has been the most influential text in all of Western culture. It's difficult to understand medieval or early modern or much of modern literature without knowing it...
Prof. Barbara Newman, Northwestern University from 2006 Bible Literary project
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It's not that it's impossible to read some writers without a Biblical background, but that you would miss a whole dimension to their work.
Prof. Steven Goldsmith, University of California at Berkeley from 2006 Bible Literary Project
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I can only say that if a student doesn't know any Bible literature, he or she will simply not understand whole elements of Shakespeare, Sidney, Spenser, Milton, Pope, Wordsworth
Prof. Robert Kiely, Harvard University from 2006 Bible Literary Project
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...there is truth in the remark. "without Tyndale[Bible translator], no Shakespeare"...
Prof. David Daniell, University College London from The Bible in English
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You can't really study Western literature intelligently or coherently without starting with the Bible.
Prof. Gerald L. Bruns, University of Notre Dame from 2006 Bible Literary Project
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...a familiar understanding of Christian doctrine in historical perspective thus contributes to a fuller appreciation of Shakespeare's art, but Shakespeare's art
Prof. Roland M. Frye from Shakespeare and the Christian Doctrine
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In English tradition and also for an American tradition begun by Puritan writers, a knowledge of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament is even more crucial than classical references.
Prof. Ulrich Knoefplmacher, Princeton University from 2006 Bible Literary Project
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There is no book more important for our culture than the Bible, and it is fundametal to the study of English literature and language.
Prof. David Jasper and Prof. Stephen Prickett from the Bible and literature
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth 以眼还眼,以牙还牙(出埃及记21:24-25,马太福音5:38)
图片说明: 图片版权:
圣经经文
“Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”(Matthew 5:38) 你們聽見有話說、『以眼還眼、以牙還牙。』只是我告訴你們、不要與惡人作對。有人打你的右臉、連左臉也轉過來由他打。(马太福音 5:38)
意思
来源及应用
这句谚语表示的是一个人应该为自己的罪状承担被惩罚的后果。如果一个人杀了另外一个人,那么这个凶手将要为此偿命。这种惩罚最早在《出埃及记》的旧约中有所记载。上帝制定了法律并透露给了先知摩西。这法律是这样写的:“But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.” 同样的谚语在新约中再次出现,但这次的解释与原先版本有很大的不同。在新约中,上帝告诉人们要尝试善待自己的敌人,而不是瑕疵必报。新约上是这样描述这个谚语的:“Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.” But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” 两种截然不同的教化方式体现了由旧约过渡到新约时期的转变,这种变化也展示了爱乃高于一切法律。上帝在旧约时代过后与人再度立约。在这个时代,上帝将会把自己制定的法律印在人们的脑中,并使它在人们的心中打下深刻的烙印。他将原谅人性的邪恶,并不再追究人们的过失。
A lot of phrases, such as "two-edged sword" and " an eye for an eye", are taken from the English Bible. Learning the stories behind these idioms is fun, and can help boost your vocabulary. Click here to find out now!
Common names such as Joseph and Rachel have their origins in the Bible. Want to know their stories before picking the right name for yourself? Click here to find out.