When I wrote the following pages, or rather the bulk of them, I lived alone, in the woods, a mile from any neighbor, in a house which I had built myself, on the shore of Walden Pond, in Concord, Massachusetts, and earned my living by the labor of my hands only.

the bulk of 大部分
live alone 独自生活
in the woods 在森林里
a mile from 离......一英里
shore 岸边
pond 池塘
earn sb's living by 以......为生
the labor of my hands 双手的劳动

I lived there two years and two months. At present I am a sojourner in civilized life again.

at present 目前
sojourner 寄居者
civilized life 文明生活

I should not obtrude my affairs so much on the notice of my readers if very particular inquiries had not been made by my townsmen concerning my mode of life, which some would call impertinent, though they do not appear to me at all impertinent, but, considering the circumstances, very natural and pertinent.

obtrude 令人厌烦地强调
particular inquiry 具体的询问
townsmen 同乡，市民
mode of life 生活方式
impertinent 鲁莽的，无礼的
circumstance 环境
pertinent 相关

Some have asked what I got to eat; if I did not feel lonesome; if I was not afraid; and the like. Others have been curious to learn what portion of income I devoted to charitable purposes; and some, who have large families, how many poor children I maintained.

lonesome 寂寞
be curious to 对......感到好奇
portion 一部分，份
charitable 慈善
maintain 保持，维护

I will therefore ask those of my readers who feel no particlular interest in me to pardon me if I undertake to answer some of these questions in this book.

therefore 因此
feel interest in sb 对某人感兴趣
pardon me 原谅我
undertake to 承诺