Launcelot: Do you not know me, Father?
Old Gobbo: Alack, sir, I am sand blind, I know you not.
Launcelot: Nay, indeed if you had your eyes you might fail of the knowing me: it is a wise father that knows his own child. (The Merchant of Venice)
朱生豪先生将上面的 it is a wise father that knows his own child 译为“只有聪明的父亲才会知道他自己的儿子”，梁实秋先生译为“聪明的父亲才能认识他自己的儿子呢”。而钱歌川先生则认为上面的句子应当译为“无论怎样聪明的父亲也不见得知道他自己的儿子”。
究竟怎样译才是正确的呢？
从上下文看,Gobbo 眼睛要瞎了,无法认出自己的儿子。Launcelot 安慰他说,父子长久离别,即使聪明的父亲也未必能认出自己的儿子。这样看来,钱歌川先生的译文是符合原意的。其实,在英文谚语里,具有这种含义的 it is ... that 的用法是很常见的。
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I only laughed because you said you were Sir Geoffrey's son. But no matter — it is a wise child that knows his own father. 我笑只是因为你说你是乔弗里爵士的儿子，不过这并没多大关系——即使聪明的孩子也不一定了解自己的父亲。
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It is a foolish sheep that makes the wolf his confessor. 不管多么蠢的羊也不会让狼当它的忏悔者的(再蠢的羊也不会听狼的忏悔的)。
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It is an ill bird that bewrays its own nest. 再笨的鸟也不暴露自己的窝(家丑不可外扬)。
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It is a poor mouse that has only one hole. 再笨的老鼠也不会只打一个洞(狡兔三窟)。
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It is a foolish bird that soils its own nest. 再笨的鸟也不弄脏自己的窝。