1It was a high speech of Seneca (after the manner of the Stoics), that "the good things which belong to prosperity are to be wished, but the good things that belong to adversity are to be admired."塞内加（以斯多葛学派的方式）有一句高尚的话："属于顺境的好处值得向往，但属于逆境的好处值得钦佩。"哲学引用：引用斯多葛学派哲学家塞内加的观点。句法结构：主句+that引导的同位语从句，从句内包含which/that引导的定语从句
2"Bona rerum secundarum optabilia, adversarum mirabilia.""顺境的好处令人向往，逆境的好处令人惊叹。"拉丁原文：塞内加原话的拉丁文版本。语法：名词短语结构，省略动词，使用形容词表示特征
3Certainly, if miracles be the command over nature, they appear most in adversity.确实，如果奇迹意味着对自然的掌控，那么它们在逆境中出现得最多。条件推理：通过假设条件得出逆境中更容易出现奇迹的结论。词汇："command over nature"指对自然的控制力
4It is yet a higher speech of his than the other (much too high for a heathen), "It is true greatness to have in one the frailty of a man, and the security of a God."他还有一句比前一句更高尚的话（对一个异教徒来说实在太高尚了）："真正的伟大是同时拥有人类的脆弱和上帝的安全感。"评价性插入：培根对塞内加的观点表示惊叹。对比结构：将人的脆弱与神的安全感并列
5"Vere magnum habere fragilitatem hominis securitatem Dei.""真正伟大的是拥有人的脆弱和神的安全。"拉丁原文：前句引文的拉丁版本。语法：不定式结构"habere..."作主语，形容词"magnum"作表语
6This would have done better in poesy, where transcendencies are more allowed, and the poets, indeed, have been busy with it;这话更适合诗歌，因为诗歌更允许超越性表达，而诗人们确实一直忙于此类主题；文学评论：培根认为这种崇高表达更适合诗歌体裁。词汇："transcendencies"指超越常规的表达
7for it is, in effect, the thing which is figured in that strange fiction of the ancient poets, which seemeth not to be without mystery;因为它实际上就是古代诗人那个看似不无神秘的奇特寓言中所描绘的东西；神话引用：指向古代神话寓言。语法：多重定语从句结构"which is figured...which seemeth..."
8nay, and to have some approach to the state of a Christian, "that Hercules, when he went to unbind Prometheus (by whom human nature is represented), sailed the length of the great ocean in an earthen pot or pitcher,"不仅如此，它甚至有些接近基督徒的状态，"赫拉克勒斯去解放普罗米修斯（他代表人性）时，乘坐陶罐航行了大洋的全程，"神话解析：解释赫拉克勒斯与普罗米修斯神话的象征意义。插入语："by whom..."提供解释
9lively describing Christian resolution, that saileth in the frail bark of the flesh through the waves of the world.生动地描述了基督徒的决心，他们乘着肉体的脆弱小舟穿越世界的波涛。宗教比喻：将基督徒的旅程比作乘小舟航行。词汇："frail bark of the flesh"指人类脆弱的身体
10But to speak in a mean, the virtue of prosperity is temperance, the virtue of adversity is fortitude, which in morals is the more heroical virtue.但平心而论，顺境的美德是节制，逆境的美德是坚毅，在道德上后者是更英勇的美德。道德对比：对比顺境与逆境所需的不同美德。词汇："fortitude"指坚韧不拔的勇气
11Prosperity is the blessing of the Old Testament, adversity is the blessing of the New, which carrieth the greater benediction, and the clearer revelation of God's favor.顺境是《旧约》的祝福，逆境是《新约》的祝福，后者带有更大的恩赐和更清晰的神恩启示。神学对比：对比《旧约》与《新约》的不同重点。语法：非限制性定语从句"which carrieth..."补充说明
12Yet even in the Old Testament, if you listen to David's harp, you shall hear as many hearse-like airs as carols;然而即使在《旧约》中，如果你聆听大卫的竖琴，你会听到与欢乐颂歌一样多的哀悼曲调；圣经例证：引用《诗篇》中大卫王的作品包含欢乐与悲伤。比喻："hearse-like airs"指哀伤曲调
13and the pencil of the Holy Ghost hath labored more in describing the afflictions of Job than the felicities of Solomon.而圣灵之笔在描述约伯的苦难上比描述所罗门的幸福更为着力。圣经对比：对比《约伯记》的苦难与《传道书》的幸福。比喻："pencil of the Holy Ghost"指圣经作者的灵感
14Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes; and adversity is not without comforts and hopes.顺境并非没有许多恐惧和厌恶；逆境也并非没有安慰和希望。平衡观点：指出顺境和逆境各有优缺点。句法：平行结构"is not without...is not without..."
15We see, in needleworks and embroideries, it is more pleasing to have a lively work upon a sad and solemn ground, than to have a dark and melancholy work upon a lightsome ground:我们看到，在刺绣作品中，在沉郁庄重的底布上有活泼的图案，比在明亮的底布上有阴暗忧郁的图案更令人愉悦：艺术比喻：用刺绣比喻逆境与顺境的关系。词汇："lively work"指活泼图案，"sad ground"指深色底布
16judge, therefore, of the pleasure of the heart by the pleasure of the eye.因此，通过眼睛的愉悦来判断心灵的愉悦吧。推理引导：从视觉美感推导心灵感受。语法：祈使句结构提出建议
17Certainly, virtue is like precious odors, most fragrant when they are incensed, or crushed;确实，美德如同珍贵的香料，在被焚烧或压碎时最为芬芳；比喻修辞：将美德比作香料，在磨难中更能显现价值。词汇："incensed"指被焚烧
18for prosperity doth best discover vice, but adversity doth best discover virtue.因为顺境最易暴露恶行，而逆境最易展现美德。结论性对比：总结顺境与逆境对人性的不同揭示作用。句法：平行对比结构"doth best discover...doth best discover..."