I regarded knowledge as the highest honor, and the most engaging pleasure; 我将知识看做是最高荣誉和最愉悦的快乐。

　　yet day stole upon day, and month glided after month, till I found that seven years of the first ten had vanished, and left nothing behind them. 然而日复一日，月复一月，我发现最初十年有七年都荒废虚度了。

　　"I now postponed my purpose of traveling; for why should I go abroad, while so much remained to be learned at home? 我不得不推迟旅行打算，在家里有这么多东西要学，为什么还要出去呢？

　　I immured myself for four years, and studied the laws of the empire. 我自我幽闭了四年，专心学习帝国的法律。

　　The fame of my skill reached the judges: I was found able to speak upon doubtful questions, and I was commanded to stand at the footstool of the caliph. 我掌握的法律知识已经够得上法官了，发现自己也能对一些怀疑的问题做出解答了，于是我被派到哈里发的王座旁站立。

　　I was heard with attention; I was consulted with confidence, and the love of praise fastened on my heart. 我用心倾听，满怀信心地说出自己的意见，得到赞扬那种欣喜很快流满了心田。

　　"I still wished to see distant countries; 我仍旧希望亲眼见识一下遥远的他国，

　　listened with rapture to the relations of travelers, and resolved some time to ask my dismission, that I might feast my soul with novelty; 极度欢喜地聆听旅行归来的人讲述他们的见闻，下决心找时间请求免职，这样我的灵魂就能享受新奇事物的饕餮了。

　　but my presence was always necessary, and the stream of business hurried me along. 可是，我的存在始终不可或缺，繁忙的公事让我喘不过气来。