[C-E] "人在江湖，身不由己"

(ver 1) For living in the world ,you have no choice but to do so!

(ver 2) There is no way to be in full control of yourself in this unpredictable world.

(ver 3) Being in the world, we are always doing what we can't help doing!

(ver 4) you can't help yourselve as getting involved.

(ver 5) There is not much human control over the vicissitudes of this life.

(ver 6) I was being put on the spot and couldn't help it.

(ver 7) I was being forced into it and had no other choice.

Which one do you like?  [:460:]

ver 1?

versions 2, 5, 6 and 7 are from chinadaily commuters who command excellent english, each being a good interpretation of the chinese idom. note, in all these bilinguists' translations, the word "world" doesn't appear. why?

btw, i have just got one more english version for it:

(ver 8) Once you're in the game, you'll have to play the rules.

it's interesting!  [:486:]

once inside the game, you have to play.

... you have to play with it, at least for a while.
... you have to play. (you can't stop or swtich to another game.)
... you have to play. (it doesn't matter you like it or not.)

[:473:]

once you started, you just can't stop!

JCAIS, WELCOME BACK!

and yes, you are right. once it is started, it can't be stopped. now i begin to understand it...