ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: but for... That were to be

pructus — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 03:24:37 GMT

Thanks a lot, Marius !!

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

Re: but for... That were to be

Marius Hancu — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:47:18 GMT

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.

Re: but for... That were to be

Marius Hancu — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:43:21 GMT

stores for their future wants: reserves/provisions for their future needs

Re: but for... That were to be

Marius Hancu — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:40:55 GMT

No, I edited my translation, I think it's more correct and clear now.

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

Re: but for... That were to be

pructus — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:32:47 GMT

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 donât have to suppose some preestablished harmony, we donât have to suppose some foresight of souls that were to appear, and we donât 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"?

Re: but for... That were to be

Marius Hancu — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:17:26 GMT

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.

but for... That were to be

pructus — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:53:23 GMT

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

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Hi!

The underlined part is difficult.

Would appreciate if anybody could translate for me?

Speciallay those part in Bold..