English Original
Two boats were sailing side by side on a river. If an empty boat were to drift into them, even the most narrow-minded people aboard would not get angry.
However, if the approaching boat carried one or more people, those on the two boats would certainly call out, asking it to steer clear. If they received no response the first time, they would call again. By the third call, their shouts would likely be laced with insults. Why? They become angry and utter such words precisely because they know there is someone in the other boat.
中文翻译
河面上并行着两条船。这时，如果有一只空船漂过来撞上它们，即使是船上心胸最狭窄的人，也不会生气。
但是，如果驶来的船上载着一个人或多人，那两条船上的人必定会呼喊，要求来船避开。假如第一次呼喊没有得到回应，他们会再次呼喊。到第三次呼喊时，他们的叫喊声中很可能就会夹杂着辱骂了。为什么呢？他们之所以生气并口出恶言，正是因为他们知道那艘船上有人。