It took me years to understand the flattery principle’s corollary: Flattery always works–even when the “flatteree” knows he is being flattered.

我几年后才体会到拍马的要义：拍马走遍天下——即使人们知道你是在奉承他。

youdao

It never occurred to me that I ought to save this money. And it took me years to understand that most of the Stuff I was buying would end up gathering dust after very little use.

我从来就没想过要存下这笔钱，所以过了很多年之后，我才明白我买的多数物品都只用过几次就放下不用了，只能等着落灰变旧。

youdao

It took years for me to understand what "pay yourself first" really meant, and by that time, I was already in financial trouble.

我花了很多年才明白“首先支付自己”的真正含义，而且那时候我已经陷入财务困境了。

youdao

It took me years to understand that if you're going to be with someone, it's give-and-take, a two-way street.

NPR: 'The Harder They Fall': Fame and Addiction

Sasha's learning early what it took me years to understand.

NPR: Kristin Chenoweth Is 'A Little Bit Wicked'