Why a dozen, instead of only one or two? One reason is, because there's a dozen that are recognizably competent to do that poem. Do you remember "Beautiful Snow"? Do you remember "Rock Me to Sleep, Mother, Rock Me to Sleep"? Do you remember "Backward, turn backward, O Time, in thy flight! Make me a child again just for to-night"? I remember them very well. Their authorship was claimed by most of the grown-up people who were alive at the time, and every claimant had one plausible argument in his favor, at least: to wit, he could have done the authoring; he was competent.英文原著 · 《Is Shakespeare Dead》
His masterpieces were far too popular to live, and if they knew so vast a circulation as 2,500,000 they are hard indeed to come by. And now the art is wellnigh dead; though you may discover an infrequent survival in a country town. But how should Catnach, were he alive to-day, compete with the Special Edition of an evening print?英文原著 · 《A Book of Scoundrels》
In a word, it makes wise men fools, and fools wise men, and both knaves. The very colour of this precious balm is bright and dazzling. If it be properly applied to the fist, that is in a decent manner, and a competent dose, it infallibly performs all the cures which the evils of humanity crave.' Thus having spoken, he killed the six horses of Bradshaw's coach, and went contemptuously on his way.英文原著 · 《A Book of Scoundrels》
She felt more competent to be the watcher of events. She even felt calmer, for knowledge increased almost always brings an undercurrent of increased tranquility, because of the sense of greater power that it produces in the mind. She looked better. She talked more easily. When dinner was over they went as usual to the garden, and when they were there Hermione referred to the projected meeting with the Marchesino. "I made a promise," she said. "I must keep it."
"Of course," said Artois. "But it seems to me that I am always being entertained, and that I am inhospitable--I do nothing in return.英文原著 · 《A Spirit in Prison》
Zoe was silent and _distraite,_ and did not even try to compete with her sparkling rival. But Lord Uxmoor's eyes often wandered from his sprightly companion to Zoe, and it was plain he longed for a word from her mouth.英文原著 · 《A Woman-Hater》
"Zoe," said Vizard, "innocent excitement can never compete with vicious."英文原著 · 《A Woman-Hater》
You can't just engage, you've got to compete, you can't merely compete, you've got to win, and a win isn't a win unless it's a kill.美剧 · 《Billions》
I'm not gonna say, "Don't compete against Taylor." But I am gonna say, compete on the battlefield you're meant to.美剧 · 《Billions》