The subject-matter might seem challenging, but Voltaire is a past master popularising difficult material.

主题似乎具有挑战性，但伏尔泰过去是一位普及困难材料的大师。

He’s a past master at getting free drinks out of people.

【master】他十分善于让人家请他喝酒。

In the general survey of Chinese art and Chinese life, the conviction must have been forced upon us that the Chinese are past masters in the art of living.

在对中国艺术和中国人生活的全面考察中，我们一定会被强加这样的信念，即中国人是生活艺术的大师。