A FATHER had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. —-
一个父亲有一群儿子，他们经常争吵不休。 —-

When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion; —-
当他未能通过劝告解决他们的争端时，他决定给他们一个实际的展示，以说明分裂的恶果。 —-

and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks. —-
为了达到这个目的，有一天他告诉他们给他拿一捆木棒。 —-

When they had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of each of them in succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces. —-
当他们完成后，他依次把木棒放在他们每个人的手中，并命令他们把它打碎。 —-

They tried with all their strength, and were not able to do it. —-
他们使出全身力气，却无法做到。 —-

He next opened the faggot, took the sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons’ hands, upon which they broke them easily. —-
然后他打开了木棒，逐个取出分开的木棒，再次放在他儿子们的手中，他们轻松地把它们打碎了。 —-

He then addressed them in these words: —-
然后他用这样的话对他们说： —-

“My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite to assist each other, you will be as this faggot, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies; —-
“我的儿子们，如果你们思想一致，团结互助，你们会像这捆木棒一样，无法被你们的敌人伤害； —-

but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks.”
但如果你们彼此分歧，你们会像这些木棒一样容易被折断。”