The Old Man and His Sons

 An old Man had many Sons, who were always falling out with one another. He had often exhorted¹ them to live together in harmony, but without result.

 

One day he called them around him and, producing a bundle of sticks, bade them each in turn to break it across. Each put forth² all his strength, but the bundle still resisted their efforts.

 

Then, cutting the cord which bound the sticks together, he told his

Sons to break them separately. This was done with the greatest ease.

 

"See, my Sons," exclaimed he, "the power of unity³! Bound together by brotherly love, you may defy almost every mortal ill; divided, you will fall a prey⁴ to your enemies."

 

1 exhorted   

v.劝告，劝说( exhort的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The party leader exhorted his members to start preparing for government. 该党领袖敦促党员着手准备筹建政府。
• He exhorted his elder. 他规劝长辈。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

3 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

4 prey   

n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨

参考例句：

• Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
• The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。