古羅馬的哲人 Horace 說：有一千個人，就會有一千種觀點（points of view）。
也有人認為凡事應有其限度，one must draw the line somewhere。
就讓我們漫談 line and point 這兩個最平凡最常用的英文字。
Line as a Track 路線，行列，態度
線條即是 a long mark on the surface，例如：a straight line 直線/a horizontal line 橫線/a diagonal line 斜線，以及 two parallel lines 平行線。路線 line 或軌道 route 一般表示方向 direction。
Line 可以表達態度 attitude，例如政府對某事物採取强硬的態度，the government is taking a firm line on terrorism；你支持政府教育的官方立場，you supported the official line on education。You toe the party line in politics 你緊守黨的政治立場，遵循黨的路綫，you toe the line = you say or do what somebody in authority tells you to say or do 遵守規則，遵循路綫，聽從負責人的吩咐；fall into line 表示同意 in agreement；fall out of line 表示 in disagreement 不同意。
Line 也可以是人或物的行列，例如排隊等候，you stand in the line or wait in the line；所以 all along the line 表示 completely 完全；all the way down the line 自始至終。假如說 he was in line for something 他很有機會得到：He is in line for promotion 他可能得到晉升；例如每年加薪幅度將與通貨膨脹掛鈎，我們可以說 annual pay increases will be in line with inflation; take the line of least resistance 就是採取最省事的方法，to choose the easiest way of doing something 或者採取困難最低、麻煩最少的途徑，adopt a course of action that causes the least difficulty or trouble。至於 walk a fine line 走鋼線，表示你處於險境，如履薄冰。反之 out of line = not suitable，不符合，不一致，說了不該說的話，做了不該做的事；step out of line 便是行為越軌，不守規矩，做不該做的事；if you cross the line 你可能變得令人難以接受，例如採用過激的手法，或反社會的越軌行為。
Line 也可以表示系列 a series，例如按時間順序排列的家系：a male line 父系代代相傳的系列，the next in line to the throne 王位的繼承人。一部小說或電影的系列：this novel is the latest of a long line of the Harry Potters series 這部小說是哈利波特系列最新面世的一本。
Lines as Limits 界限與範圍
Line 可以指界限 a line to draw the limit，劃界綫，以示區分，尤指運動場地的界綫，例如網球員發球時他的腳必須站在底綫的外面，the tennis player’s feet must be behind the line when he serves。賽跑者必須在起跑綫上等待出發，the runners must all be waiting on the starting line。分界綫 division 有時可以是隱性的，但不可踰越：there is a thin line between one thing and another; a fine line 表示你很難辨識兩者好和壞的分野。有時天才和瘋子之間頗難區分：Where do you draw the line between genius and madness?
Lines of Writing
文字或寫作方面，字裏行間的意思，有時比字面更重要：reading between the lines 即是體會言外之意，捕捉弦外之音，領悟隱含的意義，looking for a meaning that is not openly stated, trying to understand the real feeling or meaning from what one actually says；the bottom line 表示底綫，the most important thing you have to consider 要旨；to sign on the dotted line 在正式的官式法律文件上簽字，表示同意。至於最常見的 drop a line = send me a short letter or e-mail，即是給我寫封短信一個電郵。
Point 點
Point 點，英語方面有多層意思：要點 main idea；目的 purpose；觀點 point of view；時間 point of time；方向 point of direction等等。以下分別舉一些常見的例子：
1. main idea = the main point 重點，核心問題；get to the point = say it quickly 儘快說出正題，掌握要點，談到問題的實質，reach the most significant part of a conversation and discussion；to the point = simple and clear 簡明恰當，relevant and pertinent 簡潔中肯。Do you see my point? 你明白我的意思嗎？That’s beside the point，那並不重要 it is not important。
2. purpose 目標 = I don’t see the point of doing it at all 我不明白這樣做有甚麼意義！
3. point of view 看法：I take your point 我贊同你的看法；talking point 便是話題；point taken，我同意你的觀點 I agree with you。
4. point of time = at this point in time 一瞬間，the point of departure 出發點；to the point of doing something 近乎某種地步，達到某種程度 reaching the point of something；癥結所在，可以用 a sticking point，通常指談判或討論不能進行下去的真正關鍵。轉拆點，可以用 turning point, the time when an important change takes place: The promotion to manager marked a turning point in his career; up to a certain point 等於說在某種程度上 to some extent。
5. point of direction 方位點，such as North, South, East and West as the points of the compass; point towards 則是指向，顯示方向或位置，direct attention to or show the position。
本專欄逢周二、五發表
