But on this occasion, one who did not know his history and character might have thought his exceeding care and studied attention to self-preservation proceeded from an unworthy motive.

Mais dans cette occasion ceux qui n’auraient connu ni son histoire, ni sa réputation, auraient pu croire que ce soin excessif de sa conversation prenait sa source dans un motif indigne de lui ; mais un tel juge n’aurait pas compris Pathfinder.

Cooper, James Fenimore / The Pathfinder, or, the Inland SeaCooper, James Fenimore / Le lac Ontario

Le lac Ontario

Cooper, James Fenimore

The Pathfinder, or, the Inland Sea

Cooper, James Fenimore

© State University of New York 1981

Life is a precious possession to man, but he readily sacrifices it under certain circumstances, especially in obedience to ancestral impulses which are stronger than the instinct of self-preservation.

Bien que la vie soit pour l'homme un bien précieux, il la sacrifie facilement dans certaines circonstances, notamment quand il obéit à des impulsions ancestrales supérieures à l'instinct de la conservation individuelle.

Le Bon, Gustave / The Psychology of the Great WarLe Bon, Gustave / Enseignements psychologiques de la guerre européenne

Enseignements psychologiques de la guerre européenne

Le Bon, Gustave

© 1915, by Ernest Flammarion.

The Psychology of the Great War

Le Bon, Gustave

© 1999 by Transaction Publishers, New Brunswick, New Jersey

It was a cruel thought, but it was the impulse of instinct, the instinct of self-preservation.

Le moyen était cruel; mais je n'avais pas le choix et l'instinct de la conservation parlait plus haut que tous les sentiments.

Reid, Mayne / The Scalp HuntersReid, Mayne / Les chausseurs de chevelures

Les chausseurs de chevelures

Reid, Mayne

The Scalp Hunters

Reid, Mayne

© 2008 BiblioBazaar

My life was now of little value to me, and so I regarded it. But there is an instinct, so-called, of self-preservation, even when the will ceases to act. Hopes soon began to shape themselves in my mind, and along with these the wish to live.

Je ne tenais guère à ma propre vie; mais il y a un instinct de conservation qui agit même en dehors de la volonté; l'espérance me revint bientôt au cœur, et avec elle le désir de vivre.

Reid, Mayne / The Scalp HuntersReid, Mayne / Les chausseurs de chevelures

Les chausseurs de chevelures

Reid, Mayne

The Scalp Hunters

Reid, Mayne

© 2008 BiblioBazaar

The instinct of self-preservation alone impelled him, dictating to him his words, affording him advice as to his gestures.

L'instinct de la conservation seul le poussait, lui disait ses paroles, lui conseillait ses gestes.

Zola, Emile / Therese RaquinZola, Emile / Therese Raquin

Therese Raquin

Zola, Emile

Therese Raquin

Zola, Emile

They are simple men further simplified, in whom the merely primitive instincts have been accentuated by the force of circumstances—the instinct of self-preservation, the hard-gripped hope of living through, the joy of food, of drink, and of sleep.

Ce sont de simples hommes qu’on a simplifiés encore, et dont, par la force des choses, les seuls instincts primordiaux s’accentuent : instinct de la conservation, égoïsme, espoir tenace de survivre toujours, joie de manger, de boire et de dormir.

Barbusse, Henri / Under fireBarbusse, Henri / Le feu

Le feu

Barbusse, Henri

© BELENUS, 2008

Under fire

Barbusse, Henri

© 1917 by E. P. DUTTON & CO

Then, obeying the instinct of self-preservation which never abandons any man, even the strongest, he sprang through the park in the direction indicated, running among the rocks where goats alone had hitherto made their way.

Mais, obéissant bientôt à l’instinct de conservation qui n’abandonne jamais l’homme, même le plus fort, il s’élança dans le parc en prenant la direction indiquée, et courut à travers des rochers que les chèvres avaient seules pratiqués jusqu’alors.

Balzac, Honore de / El verdugoBalzac, Honore de / El verdugo

El verdugo

Balzac, Honore de

El verdugo

Balzac, Honore de