Cities are the centers and theatres of human ambition,

城市是人类的野心贪心和欲望的
human cupidity, human pleasure.

集散地和舞台
On the one side, the appetites,

一方面人类的欲望
the passions, the carnal corruptions of man

激情性欲
are forced in a hotbed into a rank and file luxuriance,

被强行拉上了普通大众相互影响的温床
and countless evils which would otherwise have a feeble and difficult existence

那些本来微小的难以生存的数不清的罪恶
are struck out into activity

即使只是彼此接触一点点
and warmth by mere contact with each other.

就能被激发出活力和热情
On the other side, many constraints and safeguards

另一方面许多约束和防范措施
are weakened or even withdrawn.

都被削弱甚至消除
This is what I mean by leaving those imaginary rural roots in

这就是我想说的保留想象中的乡村根源
which solidarity was considered to be automatic and family

乡村根源的思想强调团结是自发的