要不是

I had been drowned but that the shore was shallow and shelvy.

要不水浅和海成倾斜状我早就淹死了。

But for being a little out at elbows, I should have bought this dress.

要不手头有些紧的话, 我早就买下了这件衣服。

I would fail my exams but that the classmates help me with my lesson.

要不同学们帮助我学习功课, 我考试就会不及。

I can do the housework much more quickly when the children aren’t getting in my hair all the time.

要不孩子们老烦着我的话，我可以很快做完家务活。

Were it not for this voice, speaking so clearly in my conscience and my heart, I should be an atheist, or a pantheist, or a polytheist when I looked into the world.

要不从我的良心和内心有清楚的声音传出，那么我在看世界的时候就会无神沦者、泛神论者或者多神论者。