The Man and the Lion

 A Man and a Lion were discussing the relative strength of men and lions in general, the Man contending¹ that he and his fellows were stronger than lions by reason of their greater intelligence².

 

"Come now with me," he cried to the beast, "and I will soon prove that I am right." So he took him into the public gardens and showed him a statue of Hercules overcoming the Lion. and tearing him to pieces.

 

"That is all very well," said the Lion, "but it proves nothing, for it was a man who made the statue!"

 

1 contending   

争夺( contend的现在分词 )； 竞争； 搏斗； 争斗

参考例句：

• The fairy king and queen were contending over possession of the cat. 仙王和仙后争着要这只猫。
• Our football team is contending with one from the next town for the championship. 我们的足球队正与邻镇的足球队争夺冠军。

2 intelligence   

n.智力，聪明，智能；情报

参考例句：

• He was a man of intelligence and of firmness of will.他是个聪明而又意志坚定的人。
• He equals me in strength but not in intelligence.他和我力气相等，但智力不同。