Nothing seek, nothing find.无所求,则无所获。
Nothing …,nothing …的句型也是谚语中常用的,一般可译作“无(不)……,则(就)无(不)……。”这和No …no …句型有近似之处。Nothing在这里原是宾语,只是倒装到句首。完整的讲法是If you seek nothing,you will find nothing.或If nothing is sought, nothing will be found.《圣经·新约》中有这么一句话:“Seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.”可能就是这句谚语的出处。
句型、意义相同的谚语还有:
Nothing venture, nothing gain.(也有用了过去分词写成Nothing ventured,nothing gained)
Nothing crave, nothing have.
无所向往无所得。
意思相同的还有以下三句:
He who would eat the fruit must climb the tree.
He who would eat the nut must first crack the shell.
He who searches for pearls must dive below.
以上三句没有前几句简洁有力,但都用了比喻法,所以另有形象生动的优点。《后汉书·班超传》中,班超说:“不入虎穴,焉得虎子”也是这意思。意思近似的谚语还可参阅:No cross, no crown.