as if plunged into boiling water or raging fire

seem to find success within one's grasp

That's all.(No more than that.)

as easily as though walking upon a level road

Soft and soft

subject to constant supervision and testing

no one dare harm me (an arrogant boast)

give somebody a free hand(let somebody do as he pleases)

densely populated(packed)

Be accustomed to

thickly peopled(dense)

thirst after(with great eagerness)

The sun declines as soon as it attains the meridian.

Family and family

pocket an insult(swallow one's leek)

run in the same groove(coincide with)

a very gifted child

Go all the way to the soup

direct with ease(in a commanding position as the arm to the fingers)

invite disaster(stir up trouble)