Bad workmen quarrel with their tools.拙匠常怪工具差。
句中的bad是指“笨手笨脚,技术很差的”意思。这里的tools,广义可指一切工作条件。
这条谚语也可写作:A bad workman always blames his tools.
同样意思的谚语还有:
A bad shearer never had a good sickle.
笨拙的割草工不会有好镰刀。(自己技术不够,再好的镰刀也没有用。)
He that cannot beat the ass, beats the saddle.
不打驴子打坐鞍。(意思是驴子不肯走,问题在驴子本身,迁怒于坐鞍没有用。)
Idle folks lack no excuses.
懒人总是有借口的。
中国有句俗语“自己笨,怪刀钝”,又说“善书者不择笔”,意思也是笔这工具,即使不好,在“善书者”手里总是好的,相反地在“不善书者”手里,即使好笔也变成坏笔。
当然条件也不能不讲究,这可参阅另一条谚语:What is a workman without his tools!