UNIT ELEVEN
A Tree of Knowledge

　 There was a particular tree of which we were not to partake, a tree of knowledge. Knowledge and understanding and wisdom were forbidden to us in this story. We were to be kept ignorant. But we couldn't help ourselves. We were starving for knowledge --created hunger, you might say. This was the origin of all our troubles. In particular, it is why we no longer live in a garden: We found out too much. So long as we were incurious and obedient, I imagine, we could console ourselves with our importance and centrality, and tell ourselves that we were the reason the Universe was made. As we began to indulge our curiosity, though, to explore, to learn how the Universe really is, we expelled ourselves from Eden. Angels with a flaming sword were set as sentries¹ at the gates of Paradise to bar our return. The gardeners became exiles and wanderers. Occasionally we mourn that lost world, but that, it seems to me, is sentimental². We could not happily have remained ignorant forever... The significance of our lives and our fragile planet is then determined³ only by our own wisdom and courage. We long for a Parent to care for us, to forgive us our errors, to save us from our childish mistakes. But knowledge is preferable to ignorance. Better by far to embrace the hard truth than a reassuring⁴ fable⁵. If we crave⁶ some cosmic purpose, then lit us find ourselves a worthy⁷ goal. On behalf of Earthlife, I urge that, with full knowledge of our limitations, we vastly increase our knowledge of the solar system and then begin to settle other worlds.

partake vi. 1.参加,参与 2.共享,分享

obedient a. 服从的,顺从的
[联想词]               subordinate a. 1.下级的,级别低的 2. 次要的,从属的 n.部属,下级 vt.使处于次要地位,使从属于

console vt. 安慰,慰问 n.控制台,操纵台
[联想词]               aggravate⁸ vt. 1.加剧,加重,使恶化 2.激怒,使恼火

indulge vt. 1.使沉溺于 2.纵容,迁就 vi.沉溺,纵容自己
[联想词]    cater⁹ vi. 1.满足需要 2.提供饮食及服务
               appease¹⁰ vt.平息,抚慰,姑息

expel (expelled;expelling) vt.1.把...除名,把...开除 2.驱逐,放逐 3.排出,喷出
[联想词]    eject vt. 1.驱逐 2.喷射,排出 3.弹出

sentry¹¹ n. 哨兵,警卫
[联想词]               guardian¹² n. 1.监护人 2.守卫者,保护者
               escort n. 护卫者,护送者 vt.护送,护卫
               patrol v. 巡逻 n. 1.巡逻 2.巡逻兵

paradise n. 天堂,乐园

exile n. 1.流放,放逐,流亡 2.被放逐者 vt.流放,放逐,使流亡
[联想词]               deport¹³ vt. 把...驱逐出境
               refuge n. 庇护所,庇护

mourn v. 1.哀悼 2.(对...)感到痛心

sentiment n. 1.意见,观点 2.感情,情绪

fragile a. 1.易碎的,脆的 2.虚弱的,脆弱的
[联想词]               feeble a. 虚弱的,衰弱的

fable n. 1.寓言 2.神话传说

crave vt. 1.渴望得到 2.恳求,请求

cosmic a. 1.宇宙的 2.无比巨大的,无穷尽的