芸芸众生，张培基散文∣MTI翻硕文学翻译(3)

3. twists and turns 曲折，障碍。如汉英大词典上有这么一句话：
While prospects are bright, the roads have twists and turns.
前途是光明的，道路是曲折的。
4. human beings of all descriptions 芸芸众生，形形色色的人。
第四、五、六句：这一圈路程有长有短，跑得有快有慢。有的人稳健有力，从容不迫；有的人歪歪扭扭，步子不正；有的人拖拖沓沓，蹒跚不前。谁能跑好这最后一圈，谁就是胜利者。
The last lap may be long or short; the runners may be fast or slow. Some may run with firm and steady steps and self-possession; some may run very unsteadily and out of step; some may be sluggish with faltering steps. Such people are doomed to failure. Whoever acquits himself well on the last lap is a winner.
1. self-possession [self pzen] n. 沉着；镇静；泰然自若，如牛津词典上有这么一句话：
He soon recovered his usual self-possession.
他很快恢复了平时沉着冷静的样子。
2. out of step 步伐不整齐；不合拍，如柯林斯词典上有这么一句话：
They jogged in silence a while, faces lowered, out of step.
他们低着头，一言不发地慢跑了一会儿，步伐也不一致。
3. sluggish [slɡ] adj. 缓慢的；迟缓的；懒洋洋的，如牛津词典上有这么一句话：
Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.
足部的血液循环比手部的要慢得多。
4. faltering [fltr] adj. （尝试、努力或行动）犹疑的，彷徨的，踉跄的。如柯林斯词典上有这么一句话：