The Arrow of History
语言词汇
A typical nobleman went to church in the morning, and listened as the priest held forth on the lives of the saints. 滔滔不绝的讲述
例：Do not mention world War Ⅱ to him, he will hold forth on it for a long time. 别和他提起二战，一谈到这个话题他就会滔滔不绝地大谈一通，停也停不下来。
例：Dolle was prepared to hold forth Thursday on matters other than Luxembourg government's apparent fondness for bolt-on legislation.
例：He liked to hold forth on television, once suggesting that America should erect on its other coast a Statue of Responsibility.
汉英积累
容忍，不予回击，转过另一边脸去让人打 turn the other cheek 哈哈哈哈哈哈
一旦受辱，宁死不屈 It's better to die than to live with shame.
盖着阿尔卑斯山一样的厚奶油 thick hot chocolate under an alp of whipped cream
用叉子卷起意面 twirled tomato-drenched spaghetti on their forks
内容
本章是第三部分的序章，主要为了后面的内容做铺垫。
首先，文章指出了人类文明前进的动力——矛盾；如中世纪欧洲骑士精神和基督教义的冲突&现代社会平等和自由观念之间的冲突。
接着，作者抛出一个问题——历史演化是否有某种不变的规律，是否循着某种既定的方向？作者认为答案是肯定的：尽管各“国”分久必合合久必分，但总体上全球一体化是不变的趋势。比起公元前，近几百年的国家数目减少了很多，国与国之间的相互影响和相互联系也增强了许多。
最后，作者指出，造成这一演化的根本因素出现在公元前的1000年间，它们是：金钱、帝国和宗教。在接下来的章节中，作者将对这三点分别作出阐述。
摘录
At the micro level, it seems that for every group of cultures that coalesces into a mega-culture, there’s a megaculture that breaks up into pieces. The Mongol Empire expanded to dominate a huge swathe of Asia and even parts of Europe, only to shatter into fragments. Christianity converted hundreds of millions of people at the same time that it splintered into innumerable sects. The Latin language spread through western and central Europe, then split into local dialects that themselves eventually became national languages. But these break-ups are temporary reversals in an inexorable trend towards unity.
Just as medieval culture did not manage to square chivalry with Christianity, so the modern world fails to square liberty with equality. But this is no defect. Such contradictions are an inseparable part of every human culture. In fact, they are culture’s engines, responsible for the creativity and dynamism of our species. Just as when two clashing musical notes played together force a piece of music forward, so discord in our thoughts, ideas and values compel us to think, reevaluate and criticise. Consistency is the playground of dull minds
