Lesson 6-2 The sporting spirit
On the village green, where you pick up sides and no feeling of local patriotism is involved, it is possible to play simply for the fun and exercise: but as soon as the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and some larger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instincts are aroused. Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this. At the international level, sport is frankly mimic warfare. But the significant thing is not the behavior of the players but the attitude of the spectators: and, behind the spectators, of the nations who work themselves into furies over these absurd contests, and seriously believe --- at any rate for short periods --- that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue.
patriotism /ˈpeɪtriətɪzəm/ 爱国主义;爱国精神
pick up 随意挑选
prestige /preˈstiːʒ/ 威信;声望;威望
disgrace /dɪsˈɡreɪs/ 丢脸;耻辱;不光彩
savage /ˈsævɪdʒ/ 野性的，凶恶的;凶残的;损害严重的;
combative /kəmˈbætɪv/ 好战的;好斗的;
instinct /ˈɪnstɪŋkt/ 本能;天性;
frankly /ˈfræŋkli/ 坦白地说;坦率地;
mimic warfare /ˈmɪmɪk ˈwɔːrfer/ 模拟战争
significant /sɪɡˈnɪfɪkənt/ 重要的, 有重大意义的;
behaviour /bɪˈheɪvjər/ 行为;举止;
spectator /ˈspekteɪtər/ 观看者，观众;旁观者，目击者
fury /ˈfjʊri/ 狂怒;暴怒;狂暴 fury over 对。。。极端愤怒
absurd /əbˈsɜːrd/ 荒谬的;荒唐的;
virtue /ˈvɜːrtʃuː/ 美德
