If there were no clouds, we shall not enjoy the sun.如果没有乌云,就不会觉得太阳的可爱。
这句谚语是比喻东西失去了才觉得宝贵。在英语中,还有用其他各种比喻的谚语:
We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.
井干方知水可贵。
The cow knows not what her tail is worth until she has lost it.
牛失去尾巴以后,才知它可贵。
如果不用比喻,直接点明主题的也有:
Misfortune tells us what fortune is.
厄运临头后,才知幸福可贵。
We know not what is good until we have lost it.
有的时候不爱惜,失去以后空叹息。
以上谚语都是劝告人们不要身在福中不知福,要珍惜幸福来之不易。
同样情况,一个人生了病才知健康的可贵,这可参阅另一条谚语:Health is better than wealth.