41
Some programming languages manage to absorb change, but withstand progress.
一些编程语言试图接受变化，却拒绝进步。
42
You can measure a programmer’s perspective by noting his attitude on the continuing vitality of FORTRAN.
通过程序员对延续FORTRAN的态度判断他的观点。
43
In software systems it is often the early bird that makes the worm.
软件系统中，早起的鸟儿，造虫子。
44
Sometimes I think the only universal in the computing field is the fetch-execute-cycle.
有时，我想计算领域唯一通用的就是“取址-执行”循环。
45
The goal of computation is the emulation of our synthetic abilities, not the understanding of our analytic ones.
计算的目标是对综合能力的模拟，而不是对分析能力的理解。
.. glossary:
`Analytic–synthetic distinction <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Analytic%E2%80%93synthetic_distinction, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/analytic-synthetic/>`_
The analytic–synthetic distinction (also called the analytic–synthetic dichotomy) is a conceptual distinction, used primarily in philosophy to distinguish propositions (in particular, statements that are affirmative subject–predicate judgments) into two types: analytic propositions and synthetic propositions. Analytic propositions are true by virtue of their meaning, while synthetic propositions are true by how their meaning relates to the world.
分析-综合二分是一种概念区分，主要在哲学上用以将命题（更具体的，是肯定的主谓判断陈述）分为两类：分析命题和综合命题。
分析命题靠其自身的意义为真。(e.g. 人皆会死)
综合命题靠其自身的意义与世界的关系为真。（e.g. Python是最受欢迎的语言）
46
Like punning, programming is a play on words.
编程是文字的游戏，犹如双关。
47
As Will Rogers would have said, “There is no such thing as a free variable.”
威尔·罗杰斯可能会说“世上无自由变量。”
吐槽:
这句话原型应该是:
In the early days of the Indian Territory, there were no such things as birth
certificates. You being there was certificate enough. - Will Rogers
48
The best book on programming for the layman is “Alice in Wonderland”; but that’s because it’s the best book on anything for the layman.
外行最好的编程书是《爱丽丝梦游仙境》，因为对任何外行最好的书是《爱丽丝梦游仙境》。
49
Giving up on assembly language was the apple in our Garden of Eden: Languages whose use squanders machine cycles are sinful. The LISP machine now permits LISP programmers to abandon bra and fig-leaf.
放弃汇编语言是我们伊甸园里的禁果。浪费机器周期的语言有罪。LISP机器允许LISP程序员扯下遮羞布。
吐槽:
这句话改编伊甸园的故事——偷吃禁果，获得羞耻心，用无花果叶(fig-leaf)遮住生殖器。
50
When we understand knowledge-based systems, it will be as before - except our finger-tips will have been singed.
我们理解了基于知识的系统，什么都不会改变——除了指尖会烧焦。
51
Bringing computers into the home won’t change either one, but may revitalize the corner saloon.
把电脑带回家里，两者都不会改变，倒是能复兴角落的沙龙。
52
Systems have sub-systems and sub-systems have sub-systems and so on ad infinitum - which is why we’re always starting over.
系统有子系统，子系统又有孙系统，子子孙孙无穷匮也。所以我们常重新开始。
53
So many good ideas are never heard from again once they embark in a voyage on the semantic gulf.
大量的好想法，一旦准备穿越语义鸿沟，就失声了。
54
Beware of the Turing tar-pit in which everything is possible but nothing of interest is easy.
留心图灵焦油坑——能力无损，乐趣毫无
.. glossary:
`Turing tarpit <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turing_tarpit>`_
图灵焦油坑。用来描述那些计算能力与常规语言等价，而使用起来十分困难的语言。比如著名的 `brainfuck <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brainfuck>`_
55
A LISP programmer knows the value of everything, but the cost of nothing.
LISP程序员知道世间万物的值但不知道它们的开销。
56
Software is under a constant tension. Being symbolic it is arbitrarily perfectible; but also it is arbitrarily changeable.
软件有恒定的张力。从符号角度看，可以任意趋向完美；同样，也可以任意多变。
57
It is easier to change the specification to fit the program than vice versa.
让需求适应程序比反过来容易得多。
58
Fools ignore complexity. Pragmatists suffer it. Some can avoid it. Geniuses remove it.
笨蛋无视复杂性。实用者忍受它。有人能回避它。天才去除它。
59
In English every word can be verbed. Would that it were so in our programming languages.
英语里每个词都能做动词。但愿编程语言中也能如此。
60
Dana Scott is the Church of the Lattice-Way Saints.
达纳·斯科特是格(lattice)圣徒教会。
吐槽:
恶搞的耶稣基督后期圣徒教会（The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints）
达纳·斯科特(Dana Scott)，美国科学家，1976年图灵奖得主，提出非决定自动机。
61
In programming, as in everything else, to be in error is to be reborn.
在编程中同在其它过程中一样，错误意味重生。
62
In computing, invariants are ephemeral.
计算中，不变量转瞬即逝。
63
When we write programs that “learn”, it turns out we do and they don’t.
我们写“会学习”的程序，结果是我们在学习。
64
Often it is means that justify ends: Goals advance technique and technique survives even when goal structures crumble.
常常是手段应证了结果；目标会促进技术，技术会存活下来，即使目标造成了崩溃。
65
Make no mistake about it: Computers process numbers - not symbols. We measure our understanding (and control) by the extent to which we can arithmetize an activity.
别弄错了：计算机处理的是数字，而不是符号。我们通过对一项活动算术化的程度评价理解力（和控制力）。
66
Making something variable is easy. Controlling duration of constancy is the trick.
生成变量容易，控制不变的时限难。
67
Think of all the psychic energy expended in seeking a fundamental distinction between “algorithm” and “program”.
想一想在寻找“算法”和“程序”的本质区别上花了多少心思。
68
If we believe in data structures, we must believe in independent (hence simultaneous) processing. For why else would we collect items within a structure? Why do we tolerate languages that give us the one without the other?
如果我们相信数据结构，我们必须要相信（同时存在的）独立的数据处理。有什么理由要把东西收集到结构之中？为什么我们要容忍只提供二者之一的语言？
69
In a 5 year period we get one superb programming language. Only we can’t control when the 5 year period will begin.
我们将在五年内得到一门极好的语言，只是不能控制这五年何时开始。
70
Over the centuries the Indians developed sign language for communicating phenomena of interest. Programmers from different tribes (FORTRAN, LISP, ALGOL, SNOBOL, etc.) could use one that doesn’t require them to carry a blackboard on their ponies.
印第安人用了几个世纪演化出交流有趣现象的符号语言。不同部落(FORTRAN、LISP、ALGOL、SNOBL等)的程序员可以使用不需要他们随身携带黑板的那种。
71
Documentation is like term insurance: It satisfies because almost no one who subscribes to it depends on its benefits.
文档就像人寿保险，人们满足于不指望从中受益。
72
An adequate bootstrap is a contradiction in terms.
充分的引导明显是悖论。
.. glossary:
bootstrap
to set up or achieve using minimal resources
bootstrap这个词不知道该怎么翻译，它指的是依靠自己、用很少的资源发展起来。所以和adequate是矛盾的。
73
It is not a language’s weaknesses but its strengths that control the gradient of its change: Alas, a language never escapes its embryonic sac.
控制变化的梯度是语言的优点，而不是弱点。哎，语言不会从胚囊中逃走。
74
It is possible that software is not like anything else, that it is meant to be discarded: that the whole point is to always see it as soap bubble?
软件有可能是四不像，有可能注定被清除。关键就在于把它当作肥皂泡。
75
Because of its vitality, the computing field is always in desperate need of new cliches: Banality soothes our nerves.
充满活力的计算领域，总是迫切需要新的陈词滥调：陈词滥调使我们安神。
76
It is the user who should parameterize procedures, not their creators.
用户决定过程的参数，不是程序员。
77
The cybernetic exchange between man, computer and algorithm is like a game of musical chairs: The frantic search for balance always leaves one of the three standing ill at ease.
控制论像抢椅子游戏一样交换人、计算机和算法：疯狂地寻找平衡总使站着的那位不自在。
78
If your computer speaks English it was probably made in Japan.
说英语的电脑产自日本。
79
A year spent in artificial intelligence is enough to make one believe in God.
学一年人工智能足够使一个人信上帝了。
80
Prolonged contact with the computer turns mathematicians into clerks and vice versa.
长时间接触电脑将数学家变成书记员，反之亦然。
81
In computing, turning the obvious into the useful is a living definition of the word “frustration”.
计算领域中，把明显的东西变成有用的东西，是挫折的同义词。
82
We are on the verge: Today our program proved Fermat’s next-to-last theorem!
我们的程序证明费马倒数第二定律的日子即将到来。
.. glossary:
Fermat's Last Theorem
费马大定理，也叫费马最终定理。当整数n大于2时，x^n+y^n=z^n无整数解。
83
What is the difference between a Turing machine and the modern computer? It’s the same as that between Hillary’s ascent of Everest and the establishment of a Hilton hotel on its peak.
图灵机和当代计算机的区别是什么？这类似于艾德蒙·希拉里攀登珠穆朗玛峰和在峰顶上造希尔顿酒店。
.. glossary:
Hillary
艾德蒙·希拉里，可证明的记录中最早成功攀登珠穆朗玛峰峰顶的人之一。
84
Motto for a research laboratory: What we work on today, others will first think of tomorrow.
研究实验室座右铭：我们今天所研究的，正是他人明天首先想到的。
85
Though the Chinese should adore APL, it’s FORTRAN they put their money on.
尽管中国人应该崇拜APL语言，他们却把钱压在FORTRAN上。
86
We kid ourselves if we think that the ratio of procedure to data in an active data-base system can be made arbitrarily small or even kept small.
如果我们认为有效的数据库系统中过程和数据的比值可以设置的足够小或者保持很小，那是跟自己开玩笑。
87
We have the mini and the micro computer. In what semantic niche would the pico computer fall?
我们有小型机和微型机。那么微微型机在哪个语义壁龛中？
88
It is not the computer’s fault that Maxwell’s equations are not adequate to design the electric motor.
麦克斯韦方程不足以设计电动机不是计算机的错。
89
One does not learn computing by using a hand calculator, but one can forget arithmetic.
用手动计算器无法学会计算，却可以忘记算术。
90
Computation has made the tree flower.
计算让树开花。
吐槽:
我猜这句话也可以翻译成：计算让母猪上树。
91
The computer reminds one of Lon Chaney - it is the machine of a thousand faces.
计算机让我回想起某个朗·钱尼——它是千面的机器。
.. glossary:
Lon Chaney (Sr.)，
朗·钱尼，美国无声电影演员。
Lon Chaney, Jr.
小朗·钱尼，美国演员，前者的儿子。
92
The computer is the ultimate polluter. Its feces are indistinguishable from the food it produces.
计算机是最终的污染源，无法区别它生产的食物和它的排泄物。
93
When someone says “I want a programming language in which I need only say what I wish done,” give him a lollipop.
如果有人说“我想要一门语言，只需要说出目标就够了”，给他棒棒糖。
94
Interfaces keep things tidy, but don’t accelerate growth: Functions do.
接口保持事物整洁，不能加速成长。函数可以。
95
Don’t have good ideas if you aren’t willing to be responsible for them.
如果你不想为它们负责的话，就别出好主意。
96
Computers don’t introduce order anywhere as much as they expose opportunities.
计算机展示机会，却从不介绍订单
97
When a professor insists computer science is X but not Y, have compassion for his graduate students.
当教授坚持计算机科学是X而不是Y时，要同情他的研究生。
98
In computing, the mean time to failure keeps getting shorter.
计算领域，平均失效时间单调递减。
99
In man-machine symbiosis, it is man who must adjust: The machines can’t.
人机共生中，调整的必须是人，机器做不到。
100
We will never run out of things to program as long as there is a single program around.
只要周围还有一个程序，我们就不会耗尽需要编程的东西。
101
Dealing with failure is easy: Work hard to improve. Success is also easy to handle: You’ve solved the wrong problem. Work hard to improve.
失败很容易处理：努力奋斗，追求进步。成功也很容易处理：你解决了错误的问题。努力奋斗，追求进步。
102
One can’t proceed from the informal to the formal by formal means.
无法用形式的方法从非形式到达形式。
103
Purely applicative languages are poorly applicable.
纯粹的应用语言不可用。
104
The proof of a system’s value is its existence.
存在是对系统价值的证明。
105
You can’t communicate complexity, only an awareness of it.
复杂性只可意会不可言传。
106
It’s difficult to extract sense from strings, but they’re the only communication coin we can count on.
从字符串中领会感觉很难，但这是我们唯一指望的交流硬币。
107
The debate rages on: Is PL/I Bactrian or Dromedary?
争论热点：PL/I是大夏人还是单峰骆驼？
108
Whenever two programmers meet to criticize their programs, both are silent.
每当程序员面对面批评他们的程序时，都沉默了。
109
Think of it! With VLSI we can pack 100 ENIACs in 1 sq.cm.
想想吧！有了超大规模集成电路，我们能在1平方厘米里放100个ENIAC。
110
Editing is a rewording activity.
编辑是值得做的。
111
Why did the Roman Empire collapse? What is the Latin for office automation?
罗马帝国为何崩塌？办公自动化用拉丁语怎么说？
112
Computer Science is embarrassed by the computer.
计算机使计算机科学羞愧。
113
The only constructive theory connecting neuroscience and psychology will arise from the study of software.
研究软件将发现连接神经科学和心理学的建构理论。
114
Within a computer natural language is unnatural.
计算机内自然语言不自然。
115
Most people find the concept of programming obvious, but the doing impossible.
大家都发现编程的概念如此显然，就是做不到。
116
You think you know when you learn, are more sure when you can write, even more when you can teach, but certain when you can program.
（翻译不出）
117
It goes against the grain of modern education to teach children to program . What fun is there in making plans, acquiring discipline in organizing thoughts, devoting attention to detail and learning to be self-critical?
儿童编程教学与现代教育背道而驰。制订计划，整理思路，获得知识，关注细节，学会自我批评，这些有什么乐趣？
118
If you can imagine a society in which the computer-robot is the only menial, you can imagine anything.
如果你能想象所有仆人都是计算机机器人的世界，那么你能想象任何事情。
119
Programming is an unnatural act.
编程是非自然的。
120
Adapting old programs to fit new machines usually means adapting new machines to behave like old ones.
把旧程序调节的适应新机器，往往意味着，把新机器调节的像老机器。
121
In seeking the unattainable, simplicity only gets in the way. If there are epigrams, there must be meta-epigrams.
简单妨碍我们追求得不到的东西。如果有警句，一定有元警局。
122
Epigrams are interfaces across which appreciation and insight flow.
警句是欣赏和洞见的接触面。
123
Epigrams parameterize auras.
警句为气氛提供参数。
124
Epigrams are macros, since they are executed at read time.
警句是宏，在阅读时执行。
125
Epigrams crystallize incongruities.
警句使不协调一览无余。
126
Epigrams retrieve deep semantics from a data base that is all procedure.
警句是从只有过程的数据库中获取的深层语义。
127
Epigrams scorn detail and make a point: They are a superb high-level documentation.
警句蔑视细节，并且自认为是高级文档。
128
Epigrams are more like vitamins than protein.
警句更像维生素而不是蛋白质。
129
Epigrams have extremely low entropy.
警句的熵极低。
130
The last epigram? Neither eat nor drink them, snuff epigrams.
最后一条？警句既不能吃也不能喝，用来闻。