The strongest is never strong enough to be always the master, unless he transforms strength into right, and obedience into duty.
strong
(強い)
[形]
having great physical power
strong enough
(十分に強い)
[形]
having enough physical power
always
(常に)
[副]
at all times; on all occasions
unless
(~でなければ)
[接]
except if
transform
(変える)
[動]
change in form, appearance, or nature
strength
(強さ)
[名]
the quality or state of being physically strong
最強者は、強さを権利に、服従を義務に変えなければ、常に主人であり続けるほど強くはない。
Hence the right of the strongest, which, though to all seeming meant ironically, is really laid down as a fundamental principle.
strongest
(最強者)
[名]
the most powerful person or thing
ironically
(皮肉に)
[副]
in a way that is the opposite of what is expected
fundamental principle
(基本原則)
[名]
a basic truth or law as the basis of other truths or laws
だから、最強者の権利は、皮肉に聞こえるかもしれないが、実際には基本原則として定められている。
But are we never to have an explanation of this phrase?
never
(永遠に)
[副]
at no time in the past or future; on no occasion; not ever
explanation
(説明)
[名]
a statement or account that makes something clear
phrase
(言葉)
[名]
a small group of words forming a unit of speech
しかし、この言葉の説明は永遠に得られないのだろうか?
Force is a physical power, and I fail to see what moral effect it can have.
physical
(物理的)
[形]
of or relating to physics
power
(力)
[名]
the ability or capacity to perform or act
fail to see
(理解できない)
[動]
be unable to understand
moral
(道徳的)
[形]
concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior
力は物理的な力であり、私はそれがどんな道徳的効果をもたらすのか理解できない。
To yield to force is an act of necessity, not of will—at the most, an act of prudence.
yield
(屈する)
[動]
give way to pressure, force, or persuasion
necessity
(必要性)
[名]
the quality or state of being necessary
will
(意志)
[名]
the faculty by which a person decides on and initiates action
prudence
(慎重)
[名]
the quality of being prudent; care and foresight in the management of affairs
力に屈することは、意志ではなく必要性から来る行為であり、せいぜい慎重な行為である。
In what sense can it be a duty?
in what sense
(どんな意味で)
[副]
in what way
can
(できる)
[助]
be able to
どんな意味で義務なのだろうか?
Suppose for a moment that this so-called “right” exists.
suppose
(仮定する)
[動]
assume that something is the case on the basis of evidence or probability but without proof or certain knowledge
for a moment
(しばらくの間)
[副]
for a short period of time
so-called
(いわゆる)
[形]
used to convey that the person using the word or phrase does not think it is accurate or appropriate
しばらくの間、このいわゆる「権利」が存在すると仮定してみよう。
I maintain that the sole result is a mass of inexplicable nonsense.
maintain
(主張する)
[動]
assert or defend a statement
result
(結果)
[名]
something that happens or comes about as a consequence of an action or other cause
mass
(塊)
[名]
a large quantity of something
inexplicable
(説明のつかない)
[形]
unable to be explained
nonsense
(ナンセンス)
[名]
something that does not make sense
私は、唯一の結果は説明のつかないナンセンスの塊であると主張する。
For, if force creates right, the effect changes with the cause: every force that is greater than the first succeeds to its right.
create
(生み出す)
[動]
cause to come into being; bring about
change
(変化する)
[動]
become different
succeed
(引き継ぐ)
[動]
take over a position or role from someone
なぜなら、力が権利を生み出すのであれば、結果は原因によって変化するからである。最初の力よりも大きい力はすべて、その権利を引き継ぐことになる。
As soon as it is possible to disobey with impunity, disobedience is legitimate;
disobey
(従わない)
[動]
fail to obey
impunity
(罰を受けずに)
[名]
exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action
disobedience
(不服従)
[名]
failure or refusal to obey
legitimate
(合法である)
[形]
being in accordance with the law; lawful
罰を受けずに従わないことが可能になった時点で、不服従は合法となる。
and, the strongest being always in the right, the only thing that matters is to act so as to become the strongest.
and
(そして)
[接]
in addition to; also; too
the strongest
(最強の者)
[名]
the most powerful person or thing
the only thing
(唯一のこと)
[名]
the one thing
matter
(重要である)
[動]
be of importance or significance
act
(行動する)
[動]
do something
so as to
(になるように)
[接]
in order to; with the aim of
そして、最強の者が常に正しいのであれば、重要なのは最強になるように行動することだけである。
But what kind of right is that which perishes when force fails?
what kind of
(どのような)
[限]
of what sort or type
perish
(滅びる)
[動]
die or be destroyed
fail
(失われる)
[動]
be unsuccessful in achieving something
しかし、力が失われたときに滅びるのはどのような権利だろうか?
If we must obey perforce, there is no need to obey because we ought;
perforce
(強制的に)
[副]
by or through necessity or force
there is no need to
(する必要はない)
[動]
it is not necessary to
because
(だから)
[接]
for the reason that
ought
(べきだ)
[動]
should; must
私たちが強制的に従わなければならないのであれば、従うべきだから従う必要はない。
and if we are not forced to obey, we are under no obligation to do so.
force
(強制する)
[動]
make someone do something against their will
obligation
(義務)
[名]
a legal or moral duty
そして、私たちが従うことを強制されないのであれば、従う義務はない。
Clearly, the word “right” adds nothing to force: in this connection, it means absolutely nothing.
clearly
(明らかに)
[副]
in a clear manner
add
(付け加える)
[動]
join or combine
connection
(関連)
[名]
a relationship in which a person, thing, or idea is linked or associated with something else
mean
(意味する)
[動]
intend to convey, indicate, or refer to (something)
absolutely
(全く)
[副]
completely; totally
明らかに、「権利」という言葉は力に何も付け加えない。この関連では、それは全く何も意味しない。
Obey the powers that be.
権力に従え。
If this means yield to force, it is a good precept, but superfluous: I can answer for its never being violated.
good
(良い)
[形]
to be desired or approved of
precept
(教訓)
[名]
a general rule intended to regulate behavior or thought
superfluous
(余計な)
[形]
unnecessary, especially through being more than enough
answer for
(保証する)
[動]
take responsibility for
violate
(犯す)
[動]
break or fail to comply with
これが力に屈することを意味するなら、それは良い教訓だが、余計なことだ。私はそれが決して犯されないことを保証できる。
All power comes from God, I admit;
come from
(来る)
[動]
move or travel toward or into a place thought of as near or familiar to the speaker
admit
(認める)
[動]
to recognize the existence or truth of
すべての権力は神から来ている、と私は認める。
but so does all sickness: does that mean that we are forbidden to call in the doctor?
but
(しかし)
[接]
on the contrary; rather
so
(そう)
[副]
in the manner or to the extent indicated
does
(そうである)
[動]
be or act in a certain way
sickness
(病気)
[名]
a disease or period of sickness affecting the body and mind
does that mean
(それは意味するのか)
[動]
have as a meaning or intention
we
(私たち)
[代]
I and another or others
are forbidden
(禁じられている)
[動]
not allowed; prohibited
to call in
(呼ぶ)
[動]
to summon or request the presence of
the doctor
(医者)
[名]
a person qualified to practice medicine
しかし、すべての病気もそうである。それは、私たちが医者を呼ぶことを禁じられていることを意味するのか?
A brigand surprises me at the edge of a wood: must I not merely surrender my purse on compulsion;
brigand
(山賊)
[名]
a member of a gang that ambushes and robs people in forests and mountains
surprise
(襲う)
[動]
attack or capture suddenly and unexpectedly
edge
(端)
[名]
the outside limit of an object
wood
(森)
[名]
a large area of land covered with trees
surrender
(差し出す)
[動]
give up or hand over (something) on compulsion or demand
compulsion
(強制)
[名]
the action or state of forcing or being forced to do something
山賊が森の端で私を襲った。私は強制されて財布を差し出すだけではいけないのか?
but, even if I could withhold it, am I in conscience bound to give it up?
withhold
(差し控える)
[動]
refuse to give or grant
conscience
(良心)
[名]
the inner sense of what is right or wrong in one's conduct or motives, impelling one toward right action
bound
(義務がある)
[形]
obliged or required to do something
give up
(差し出す)
[動]
hand over; surrender
しかし、私がそれを差し控えることができても、私は良心からそれを差し出す義務があるのだろうか?
For certainly the pistol he holds is also a power.
certainly
(確かに)
[副]
without doubt; definitely
hold
(持つ)
[動]
keep in one's hand
pistol
(ピストル)
[名]
a small firearm that can be held in one hand
確かに彼が持っているピストルもまた権力である。