美國語文第四冊 第106期：善意（01）
I suppose you all, my boys, are looking for some sort of success in life;
我的孩子們，你們一定想在生活中取得成功；
it is right that you should; but what are your notions of success?
你應(yīng)該這么做，這是對的；但是成功的概念是什么呢？
To get rich as soon as possible, without regard to the means by which your wealth is acquired?
是盡快致富，而不考慮獲取財富的方式嗎？
There is no true success in that: when you have gained millions, you may yet be poorer than when you had nothing;
這樣做不會帶來真正的成功：當你成為百萬富翁時，你可能比一無所有更貧窮；
and it is that same reckless ambition which has brought many a bright and capable boy, not to great estate at last,
同樣，不計后果的野心，最后常常不會給聰明能干的孩子帶來財富，
but to miserable failure and disgrace; not to a palace, but to a prison.
而是慘痛的失敗和恥辱；等待他們的不是宮殿，而是監(jiān)獄。
Wealth rightly got and rightly used, rational enjoyment, power, fame,—these are all worthy objects of ambition;
正確獲得和使用財富、理性享受、得到權(quán)力和榮譽，這些目標都值得追求；
but they are not the highest objects, and you may acquire them all without achieving true success.
但是它們不是最高的目標，而且即使沒有獲得真正的成功，也可以取得這一切。
But if, whatever you seek, you put good will into all your actions, you are sure of the best success at last;
可是，不論你追求的是什么，如果你都帶著善意去做，你最后一定會取得最大的成功；
for whatever else you gain or miss, you are building up a noble and beautiful character,
因為不論你得到或失去什么，你都在培養(yǎng)高尚良好的品格，
which is not only the best of possessions in this world, but also is about all you can expect to take with you into the next.
這不僅是這個世界上最好的財富，也是你能期望帶到下一世的所有財富。
I say, good will in all your actions.
我說，你所有的行為必須帶著善意。
You are not simply to be kind and helpful to others; but, whatever you do, give honest, earnest purpose to it.
不是簡單的善良，樂于助人；而是，不論你做什么，帶著誠實認真的意圖去做。
Thomas is put by his parents to learn a business.
托馬斯的父母讓他學(xué)習(xí)做生意。
But Thomas does not like to apply himself very closely.
可是托馬斯并不全力以赴。
"What's the use?" he says. I'm not paid much, and I'm not going to work much.
“有什么用呢？”他說，“我的報酬低，因此我不會干太多的工作。
I’ll get along just as easily as I can, and have as good times as I can.
我得過且過，過得輕松愉快就行了。
