2.6 Covering the sun with one's hand 只手遮天

Covering the sun with one's hand

A disciple¹ went to a master. "I shall not continue with my studies of sacred texts." he said. "I live in a small house with my brothers and parents and never have the ideal conditions for concentrating on that which is important." The master pointed² to the sun and asked the disciple to place his hand over his face in order to hide it. The disciple obeyed.

"Your hand is small, yet it can completely cover the power, light and majesty³ of the great sun. In the same way, the small problems manage to give you the excuse you need in order to hinder your progress, just as your hand has the power to hide the sun. Mediocrity has the power to hide your inner light. Do not blame others for your own incompetence⁴."

1 disciple   

n.信徒，门徒，追随者

参考例句：

• Your disciple failed to welcome you.你的徒弟没能迎接你。
• He was an ardent disciple of Gandhi.他是甘地的忠实信徒。

2 pointed   

adj.尖的，直截了当的

参考例句：

• He gave me a very sharp pointed pencil.他给我一支削得非常尖的铅笔。
• She wished to show Mrs.John Dashwood by this pointed invitation to her brother.她想通过对达茨伍德夫人提出直截了当的邀请向她的哥哥表示出来。

3 majesty   

n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权

参考例句：

• The king had unspeakable majesty.国王有无法形容的威严。
• Your Majesty must make up your mind quickly!尊贵的陛下，您必须赶快做出决定！

4 incompetence   

n.不胜任，不称职

参考例句：

• He was dismissed for incompetence. 他因不称职而被解雇。
• She felt she had been made a scapegoat for her boss's incompetence. 她觉得，本是老板无能，但她却成了替罪羊。