But the competition of man against man is not the simple process envisioned in biology.

envision ^v.设想

• The phenomenon is far more complex than the model envisioned in biology.^{这种现象比生物学中设想的模型要复杂得多。}
• Don't compromise on the ideal you envision in order to get an ally.Stick to your cause and press forward.^{不要为了找寻同盟者而让你的理想妥协，坚持你的信念，奋力向前。}
• They envision an equal society, free of poverty and disease. ^{他们向往一个没有贫穷和疾病的平等社会。}

It is not a simple competition for a fixed amount of food determined by the physical environment, because the environment that determines our evolution is no longer essentially physical.

competition for sth. ^{对某事物的竞争 / 争夺}

• There is fierce competition for the limited number of jobs available. ^{对有限工作岗位的竞争非常激烈。}
• Competition for the job was intense.
• We're in competition with several other companies for the contract.

fixed ^{adj. fixed times, amounts, meanings etc. cannot be changed 固定不变的}

• The contract is for a fixed period of three years.
• The interest rate on the loan is fixed.

physical ^{adj. connected with things that actually exist or are present and can be seen, felt, etc. rather than things that only exist in a person‘s mind 物质的，实实在在的，真实而具体的，看得见摸得着的}

• the physical world
• environment physical weapons
• Is there any physical evidence to suggest that a crime has been committed? 
• The early migration patterns were largely determined by the physical environment and climate.^{早期的迁徙模式主要由物理环境和气候决定。}
• Modern warfare is no longer essentially physical, relying heavily on cyber capabilities.^{现代战争本质上不再是物理性的，严重依赖网络能力。}

Our environment is chiefly conditioned by the things we believe.

condition ^{v. have an important effect on sb. / sth., determine 对…有重要影响，决定}

• We are all conditioned by the society and age we live in.
• What I buy is conditioned by the amount I earn.
• The success of the project was chiefly conditioned by the amount of funding received.^{项目的成功主要受收到的资金数额所制约。}
  A country's political stability is chiefly conditioned by the strength of its democratic institutions.^{一个国家的政治稳定主要受其民主机构的强度所制约。}

Morocco and California are bits of the Earth in very similar latitudes, both on the west coasts of continents with similar climates, and probably with rather similar natural resources.

latitudes ^{n. [pl] an area at a particular latitude 纬度地区}

• The birds breed in northern latitudes.
• The plant grows best in cooler latitudes.

on the west coasts of continents ^{在大陆的西海岸}

• a town on the south coast of England 
  a thriving holiday resort on the east coast of Italy.
• Many major cities are situated on the west coasts of continents due to favorable ocean currents.^{由于有利的洋流，许多主要城市都位于大陆的西海岸。}

Yet their present development is wholly different, not so much because of different people even, but because of the different thoughts that exist in the minds of their inhabitants.

not so much because of... but because of... ^{与其说是由于…不如说是由于…}

• He left the job not so much because of the low salary, but because of the toxic work environment.^{他辞职与其说是由于薪水低，不如说是由于有毒的工作环境。}
• The market shift occurred not so much because of competition, but because of a change in consumer habits.^{市场的转变与其说是由于竞争，不如说是由于消费者习惯的改变。}

even ^{语气副词（根据中文习惯翻译）}

• The holidays ended all too soon.^{假期结束得实在是太快了。}
• I’m only too ready to help you. ^{我实在是非常乐意帮助您。}
•  I did so see him.^{我确实看到他了。}
• No, I won’t help you, so there?^{不，我不想帮助你，你拿我怎么样？}

This is the point I wish to emphasize.

wish to do sth. (fml.) = want to do sth. = like to do sth.^{希望做某事}

• She wishes to be alone.
• I wish to make a complaint.
• If you wish to attend the seminar, please register by Friday. ^{如果你希望参加研讨会，请在周五前注册。}
• Let me reiterate the point I wish to emphasize: deadlines are non-negotiable.^{让我重申我希望强调的观点：截止日期不容商议。}

The most important factor in our environment is the state of our own minds.

the state of our own minds ^{我们自己的心智状态}

• Maintaining a positive state of our own minds is essential for creativity and productivity.^{保持积极的心智状态对于创造力和生产力至关重要。}
• The state of employment in this city is improving. ^{这个城市就业状况正在改善。}
• Measure the state of women's progress. ^{衡量一下妇女的进步状况。}