The human nose has given to the language of the world many interesting expressions. Of course, this is not surprising. Without the nose, We could not breathe or smell. It is the part of the face that gives a person special character. Cyrano de Bergerac said that a large nose showed a great man-courageous, manly, and wise. A famous woman poet wished that she had two noses to smell a rose! Blaise Pascal made an interesting remark about Cleopatra's nose. If it had been shorter, he said, it would have changed the whole face of the world! Man's nose has had an important role in his imagination. Man has referred to the nose in many ways to express his emotions. Expressions dealing with the nose refer to human's weakness, anger, pride, jealousy and revenge (报复). In English there are a number of phrases about the nose. For example, to hold up one's nose expresses a basic human feeling-pride. People can hold up their noses at people, things, and places. The phrase, to be led around by the nose, shows man's weakness. A person who is led around by the nose lets other people control him. On the other hand, a person who follows his nose lets his instinct (本能) guide him. There are a number of others. However, it should be as plain as the nose on your face that the nose is more than an organ for breathing and smelling. |