It is our aim to live in harmony with the scheme of the universe, and to follow the example of the gods. Yet in all their acts the gods have no object in view other than the act itself, unless you suppose that they obtain a reward for their work in the smoke of burnt sacrifices and the
scent1 of
incense2. See what great things they do every day, how much they divide amongst us, with how great crops they fill the earth, how they move the seas with convenient winds to carry us to all shores, how by the fall of sudden showers they
soften3 the ground, renew the dried-up springs of fountains, and call them into new life by unseen supplies of water. All this they do without reward, without any advantage
accruing4 to themselves. Let our line of conduct, if it would not depart from its model, preserve this direction, and let us not act
honourably5 because we are hired to do so. We ought to feel ashamed that any benefit should have a price: we pay nothing for the gods.
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1
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 |
参考例句： |
- The air was filled with the scent of lilac.空气中弥漫着丁香花的芬芳。
- The flowers give off a heady scent at night.这些花晚上散发出醉人的芳香。
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2
incense
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| v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气 |
参考例句： |
- This proposal will incense conservation campaigners.这项提议会激怒环保人士。
- In summer,they usually burn some coil incense to keep away the mosquitoes.夏天他们通常点香驱蚊。
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3
soften
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| v.(使)变柔软；(使)变柔和 |
参考例句： |
- Plastics will soften when exposed to heat.塑料适当加热就可以软化。
- This special cream will help to soften up our skin.这种特殊的护肤霜有助于使皮肤变得柔软。
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4
accruing
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| v.增加( accrue的现在分词 )；（通过自然增长）产生；获得；（使钱款、债务）积累 |
参考例句： |
- economic benefits accruing to the country from tourism 旅游业为该国带来的经济效益
- The accruing on a security since the previous coupon date. 指证券自上次付息日以来所累积的利息。 来自互联网
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5
honourably
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| adv.可尊敬地，光荣地，体面地 |
参考例句： |
- Will the time never come when we may honourably bury the hatchet? 难道我们永远不可能有个体面地休战的时候吗？ 来自《简明英汉词典》
- The dispute was settled honourably. 争议体面地得到解决。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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