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Lesson 6 The sporting spirit体育的精神 I am always amazed when I hear people saying that sport createsgoodwill between the nations, and that if only the common peoples of the worldcould meet one another at football or cricket, they would have no inclinationto meet on the battlefield.Even if one didnt know from concrete examples that international sporting contests lead toorgies of hatred, one could deduce it from general principles. Nearly all the sports practiced nowadays are competitive.You play towin, and the game has little meaning unless you do your utmost to win.On thevillage green, where you pick up sides and no feeling of local patriotism isinvolved, it is possible to play simply for the fun and exercise: but as soonas the question of prestige arises, as soon as you feel that you and somelarger unit will be disgraced if you lose, the most savage combative instinctsare aroused.Anyone who has played even in a school football match knows this.Atthe international level, sport is frankly mimic warfare.But the significantthing is not the behavior of the players but the attitude of the spectators:and, behind the spectators, of the nations who work themselves into furies overthese absurd contests, and seriously believe --- at any rate for short periods--- that running, jumping and kicking a ball are tests of national virtue. 当我听人们说体育运动可创造国家之间的友谊，还说各国民众若在足球场或板球场上交锋，就不愿在战场上残杀的时候，我总是惊愕不已。一个人即使不能从具体的事例了解到国际运动比赛会导致疯狂的仇恨，也可以从常理中推断出结论。 | 
