more than A can/could

要想正确理解和翻译上面的句子,必须首先搞清 more than 的用法。more than A can/could/would 往往可以译为“A 不能”,即其中的 more than 可以理解为“否定”(不)(参见 more than $^{1}$ ):

1. The beauty of Hangzhou is more than words can describe. (= No words can describe the beauty of Hangzhou.) 杭州景色之美, 是语言所不能描述的。

2. That's more than I can tell you, sir. 这一点我是不能告诉您的，先生。

3. The cold was more than the children could bear. 寒冷是孩子们忍受不了的。

4. In the end, it was more than he could bear. 最后，他再也忍受不住了。

5. When my old friend Brian urged me to accept a cigarette, it was more than I could bear. (New Concept English, Book 2, L.78) 当我的老朋友布赖恩怂恿我接受一支烟时，我可再也熬不住了。

6. Modern dances proved to be more than the dish could bear, for during the party it capsized and sank in seven feet of water. (New Concept English, Book 3, L. 43) 盘子承受不了在它上面跳现代舞的负担，舞会进行之中此盘倾覆，沉入七英尺深的河水中。

7. Despite the satisfaction of my work, I was lonely and missed Bill more than I could stand. (Hillary, Living History) 虽然工作的成就感十足，但我一个人难免寂寞，益发思念比尔，几乎受不了。(希拉里，《亲历历史》)

[试译]“……你还想要别的书吗？”“是的，可是我买不起。”他答道。