but for... That were to be

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pructus  #538698  Wed, 09 Jul 08 12:53 PM


There is some awe mixed with the joy of our surprise, when this poet, who lived in some past world, two or three hundred years ago, says that which lies close to my own soul, that which I also had wellnigh thought and said. But for the evidence thence afforded to the philosophical doctrine of the identity of all minds, we should suppose some preestablished harmony, some foresight of souls that were to be, and some preparation of stores for their future wants, like the fact observed in insects, who lay up food before death for the young grub they shall never see.

http://www.bartleby.com/268/8/33.html

**

Hi!

The underlined part is difficult.

Would appreciate if anybody could translate for me?

Speciallay those part in Bold..


  
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Marius Hancu  #538708  Wed, 09 Jul 08 01:17 PM
 But for the evidence: Except for the evidence,  If the evidence would not exist

 some foresight of souls that were to be: some anticipation of the souls [new generations] which were to come/appear

 

The rest is up to you.  

  
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pructus  #538717  Wed, 09 Jul 08 01:32 PM


Thanks a lot !!

 

With your tip, I translated like below.


Because the evidence is thence afforded to the philosophical doctrine of the identity of all minds, we don’t have to suppose some preestablished harmony, we don’t have to suppose some foresight of souls that were to appear, and we don’t have to suppose some preparation of stores for their future wants,

 ..............

But still,  it is far from making sense to me....

And the underlined part, "preparation of stores for their future wants",  their.........

Does "their" refer to "souls"?

"stores for souls' future wants"?

 

 

  
Marius Hancu  #538719  Wed, 09 Jul 08 01:40 PM
No, I edited my translation, I think  it's more correct and clear now. 

I won't explain the rest. Takes too much time.  

  
Marius Hancu  #538720  Wed, 09 Jul 08 01:43 PM
stores for their future wants: reserves/provisions for their  future needs
  
Marius Hancu  #538721  Wed, 09 Jul 08 01:47 PM
Bulk translation:

We rediscover thoughs which others had before us, 2-300 years ago. 

It's as if/though they prepared  provisions/reserves (of thought(s)) for us, the current generations.

  
pructus  #539143  Thu, 10 Jul 08 04:24 AM

Thanks a lot, Marius !!

I will give it some thought to find out the meaning..
  
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