THE GODS, according to an ancient legend, made choice of certain trees to be under their special protection. —
根据一个古老传说，众神选择了某些树木来受到他们的特别保护。 —

Jupiter chose the oak, Venus the myrtle, Apollo the laurel, Cybele the pine, and Hercules the poplar. —
朱庇特选择了橡树，维纳斯选择了桃金娘，阿波罗选择了月桂树，西贝莱选择了松树，赫拉克勒斯选择了白杨。 —

Minerva, wondering why they had preferred trees not yielding fruit, inquired the reason for their choice. —
聪明的米涅瓦好奇为什么他们选择的是不结果实的树木，于是询问了他们的选择理由。 —

Jupiter replied, “It is lest we should seem to covet the honor for the fruit. —
朱庇特回答说：“为了避免让我们看起来是贪图果实的荣耀。” —

” But said Minerva, “Let anyone say what he will the olive is more dear to me on account of its fruit. —
但米涅瓦说：“不管别人怎么说，橄榄树对我来说因为它的果实更珍贵。” —

” Then said Jupiter, “My daughter, you are rightly called wise; —
朱庇特接着说：“我的女儿，你被称为聪明是有道理的； —

for unless what we do is useful, the glory of it is vain.”
因为除非我们所做的事情是有用的，否则光荣是徒然的。”