英文美文（一）：
Ambition 抱负
It is not difficult to imagine a world short of ambition. It would probably be a kinder world: with out demands， without abrasions， without disappointments. People would have time for reflection. Such work as they did would not be for themselves but for the collectivity. Competition would never enter in. conflict would be eliminated， tension bee a thing of the past. The stress of creation would be at an end. Art would no longer be troubling， but purely celebratory in its functions. Longevity would be increased， for fewer people would die of heart attack or stroke caused by tumultuous endeavor. Anxiety would be extinct. Time would stretch on and on， with ambition long departed from the human heart.
Ah， how unrelieved boring life would be!
There is a strong view that holds that success is a myth， and ambition therefore a sham. Does this mean that success does not really exist? That achievement is at bottom empty? That the efforts of men and women are of no significance alongside the force of movements and events now not all success， obviously， is worth esteeming， nor all ambition worth cultivating. Which are and which are not is something one soon enough learns on one’s own. But even the most cynical secretly admit that success exists; that achievement counts for a great deal; and that the true myth is that the actions of men and women are useless. To believe otherwise is to take on a point of view that is likely to be deranging. It is， in its implications， to remove all motives for petence， interest in attainment， and regard for posterity.
We do not choose to be born. We do not choose our parents. We do not choose our historical epoch， the country of our birth， or the immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do not， most of us， choose to die; nor do we choose the time or conditions of our death. But within all this realm of choicelessness， we do choose how we shall live: courageously or in cowardice， honorably or dishonorably， with purpose or in drift. We decide what is important and what is trivial in life. We decide that what makes us significant is either what we do or what we refuse to do. But no matter how indifferent the universe may be to our choices and decisions， these choices and decisions are ours to make. We decide. We choose. And as we decide and choose， so are our lives formed. In the end， forming our own destiny is what ambition is about.
抱负
一个缺乏抱负的世界将会怎样，这不难想象。或许，这将是一个更为友善的世界：没有渴求，没有磨擦，没有失望。人们将有时光进行反思。他们所从事的工作将不是为了他们自身，而是为了整个团体。竞争永久不会介入；冲突将被消除。人们的紧张关系将成为过往云烟。创造的重压将得以终结。艺术将不再惹人费神，其功能将纯粹为了庆典。人的寿命将会更长，因为由激烈拼争引起的心脏病和中风所导致的死亡将越来越少。焦虑将会消失。时光流逝，抱负却早已远离人心。
啊，长此以往人生将变得多么乏味无聊！
有一种盛行的观点认为，成功是一种神话，所以抱负亦属虚幻。这是不是说实际上并不丰在成功？成就本身就是一场空？与诸多运动和事件的力气相比，男男女女的奋力显得微不足？显然，并非所有的成功都值得景仰，也并非所有的抱负都值得追求。对值得和不值得的选择，一个人天然而然很快就能学会。但即使是最为愤世嫉俗的人暗地里也承认，成功确实存在，成就的意义举足轻重，而把世上男男女女的所作所为说成是徒劳无功才是真正的无稽之谈。认为成功不存在的观点很可能造成混乱。这种观点的本意是一笔勾销所有提高本事的动机，求取业绩的兴趣和对子孙后代的关注。
我们无法选择出生，无法选择父母，无法选择出生的历史时期与国家，或是长大的周遭环境。我们大多数人都无法选择死亡，无法选择死亡的时光或条件。可是在这些无法选择之中，我们的确能够选择自我的生活方式：是勇敢无畏还是胆小怯懦，是光明磊落还是厚颜无耻，是目标坚定还是随波逐流。我们决定生活中哪些至关重要，哪些微不足道。我们决定，用以显示我们自身重要性的，不是我们做了什么，就是我们拒绝做些什么。可是不论世界对我们所做的选择和决定有多么漠不关心，这些选择和决定终究是我们自我做出的。我们决定，我们选择。而当我们决定和选择时，我们的生活便得以构成。最终构筑我们命运的就是抱负之所在。
英文美文（二）：
What I have Lived for 我为何而生
Three passions， simple but overwhelmingly strong， have governed my life: the longing for love， the search for knowledge， and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. These passions， like great winds， have blown me hither and thither， in a wayward course， over a deep ocean of anguish， reaching to the very verge of despair.
I have sought love， first， because it brings ecstasy---ecstasy so great that I would often have sacrificed all the rest of my life for a few hours for this joy. I have sought it， next， because it relieves loneliness---that terrible loneliness in which one shivering consciousness looks over the rim of the world into the cold unfathomable lifeless abyss. I have sought it， finally， because in the union of love I have seen， in a mystic miniature， the prefiguring vision of the heaven that saints and poets have imagined. This is what I sought， and though it might seem too good for human life， this is what---at last---I have found.
With equal passion I have sought knowledge. I have wished to understand the hearts of men. I have wished to know why the stars shine. And I have tried to apprehend the Pythagorean power by which number holds sway above the flux. A little of this， but not much， I have achieved.
Love and knowledge， so far as they were possible， led upward toward the heavens. But always it brought me back to earth. Echoes of cries of pain reverberate in my heart. Children in famine， victims tortured by oppressors， helpless old people a hated burden to their sons， and the whole world of loneliness， poverty， and pain make a mockery of what human life should be. I long to alleviate the evil， but I cannot， and I too suffer. Www.CopyRight8.Com
This has been my life. I have found it worth living， and would gladly live it again if the chance were offered me.
我为何而生
我的一生被三种简单却又无比强烈的活力所控制：对爱的渴望，对知识的探索和对人类苦难难以抑制的屿。这些活力像狂风，把我恣情吹向四方，掠过苦痛的大海，迫使我濒临绝望的边缘。
我寻求爱，首先因为它使我心为之着迷，这种难以名状的美妙迷醉使我愿意用所有的余生去换取哪怕几个小时这样的快乐。我寻求爱，还因为它能缓解我心理上的孤独中，我感觉心灵的战栗，仿如站在世界的边缘而面前是冰冷，无底的死亡深渊。我寻求爱，因为在我所目睹的结合中，我仿佛看到了圣贤与诗人们所向往的天堂之景。这就是我所寻找的，虽然对人的一生而言似乎有些遥不可及，但至少是我用尽一生所领悟到的。
我用同样的活力去寻求知识。我期望能理解人类的心灵，期望能够明白群星闪烁的缘由。我试图领悟毕达哥拉斯所景仰的“数即万物”的思想。我已经悟出了其中的一点点道理，尽管并不是很多。
爱和知识，用它们的力气把人引向天堂。可是同情却总把人又拽回到尘世中来。痛苦的呼喊声回荡在我的内心。饥饿的小孩，受压迫的难民，贫穷和痛苦的世界，都是对人类所憧憬的完美生活的无情嘲弄。我渴望能够减少邪恶，可是我无能为力，我也难逃其折磨。
这就是我的一生。我已经找到它的价值。并且如果有机会，我很愿意能再活它一次。
英文美文（三）：
Sometimes I really doubt whether there is love between my parents. Every day they are very busy trying to earn money in order to pay the high tuition for my brother and me. They dont act in the romantic ways that I read in books or I see on TV. In their opinion，“I love you”is too luxurious for them to say. Sending flowers to each other on Valentines Day is even more out of the question. Finally my father has a bad temper. When hes very tired from the hard work， it is easy for him to lose his temper.
有时候，我真的怀疑父母之间是否有真爱。他们天天忙于赚钱，为我和弟弟支付学费。他们从未像我在书中读到，或在电视中看到的那样互诉衷肠。他们认为“我爱你”太奢侈，很难说出口。更不用说在情人节送花这样的事了。我父亲的脾气十分坏。经过一天的劳累之后，他经常会发脾气。
One day， my mother was sewing a quilt. I silently sat down beside her and looked at her.
一天，母亲正在缝被子，我静静地坐在她旁边看着她。
“Mom， I have a question to ask you，”I said after a while.
过了一会，我说：“母亲，我想问你一个问题。”
“What?”she replied， still doing her work.
“什么问题？”她一边继续缝着，一边回答道。
“Is there love between you and Dad?”I asked her in a very low voice.
我低声地问道：“你和父亲之间有没有感情啊？”
My mother stopped her work and raised her head with surprise in her eyes. She didnt answer immediately. Then she bowed her head and continued to sew the quilt.
母亲突然停下了手中的活，满眼诧异地抬起头。她没有立即作答。然后低下头，继续缝被子。
I was very worried because I thought I had hurt her. I was in a great embarrassment and I didnt know what I should do. But at last I heard my mother say the following words:
我担心伤害了她。我十分尴尬，不明白该怎样办。可是，之后我听见母亲说：
“Susan，”she said thoughtfully，“Look at this thread. Sometimes it appears， but most of it disappears in the quilt. The thread really makes the quilt strong and durable. If life is a quilt， then love should be a thread. It can hardly be seen anywhere or anytime， but its really there. Love is inside.”
“苏珊，看看这些线。有时候，你能看得见，可是大多数都隐藏在被子里。这些线使被子坚固耐用。如果生活就像一床被子，那么爱就是其中的线。你不可能随时随地看到它，可是它却实实在在地存在着。爱是内在的。”
I listened carefully but I couldnt understand her until the next spring. At that time， my father suddenly got sick seriously. My mother had to stay with him in the hospital for a month. When they returned from the hospital， they both looked very pale. It seemed both of them had had a serious illness.
我仔细地听着，却无法明白她的话，直到来年的春天。那时候，我父亲得了重病。母亲在医院里待了一个月。当他们从医院回来的时候，都显得十分苍白。就像他们都得了一场重病一样。
After they were back， every day in the morning and dusk， my mother helped my father walk slowly on the country road. My father had never been so gentle. It seemed they were the most harmonious couple. Along the country road， there were many beautiful flowers， green grass and trees. The sun gently glistened through the leaves. All of these made up the most beautiful picture in the world.
他们回来之后，每一天的清晨或黄昏，母亲都会搀扶着父亲在乡村的小路上漫步。父亲从未如此温和过。他们就像是天作之合。在小路旁边，有许多美丽的野花、绿草和树木。阳光穿过树叶的缝隙，温柔地照射在地面上。这一切构成了一幅世间最完美的`画面。
The doctor had said my father would recover in two months. But after two months he still couldnt walk by himself. All of us were worried about him.
医生说父亲将在两个月后康复。可是两个月之后，他仍然无法独立行走。我们都很为他担心。
“Dad， how are you feeling now?”I asked him one day.
有一天，我问他：“父亲，你感觉怎样样？”
“Susan， dont worry about me.”he said gently.“To tell you the truth， I just like walking with your mom. I like this kind of life.”Reading his eyes， I know he loves my mother deeply.
他温和地说：“苏珊，不用为我担心。跟你说吧，我喜欢与你母亲一块散步的感觉。我喜欢这种生活。”从他的眼神里，我看得出他对母亲的爱之深刻。
Once I thought love meant flowers， gifts and sweet kisses. But from this experience， I understand that love is just a thread in the quilt of our life. Love is inside， making life strong and warm..
我以往认为感情就是鲜花、礼物和甜蜜的亲吻。可是从那一刻起，我明白了，感情就像是生活中被子里的一根线。感情就在里面，使生活变得坚固而温暖。
英文美文（四）：
If I Rest，I Rust 如果我休息，我就会生锈
The significant inscription found on an old key---“If I rest， I rust”---would be an excellent motto for those who are afflicted with the slightest bit of idleness. Even the most industrious person might adopt it with advantage to serve as a reminder that， if one allows his faculties to rest， like the iron in the unused key， they will soon show signs of rust and， ultimately， cannot do the work required of them.
Those who would attain the heights reached and kept by great men must keep their faculties polished by constant use， so that they may unlock the doors of knowledge， the gate that guard the entrances to the professions， to science， art， literature， agriculture---every department of human endeavor.
Industry keeps bright the key that opens the treasury of achievement. If Hugh Miller， after toiling all day in a quarry， had devoted his evenings to rest and recreation， he would never have bee a famous geologist. The celebrated mathematician， Edmund Stone， would never have published a mathematical dictionary， never have found the key to science of mathematics， if he had given his spare moments to idleness， had the little Scotch lad， Ferguson， allowed the busy brain to go to sleep while he tended sheep on the hillside instead of calculating the position of the stars by a string of beads， he would never have bee a famous astronomer.
Labor vanquishes all---not inconstant， spasmodic， or ill-directed labor; but faithful， unremitting， daily effort toward a well-directed purpose. Just as truly as eternal vigilance is the price of liberty， so is eternal industry the price of noble and enduring success.
如果我休息，我就会生锈
在一把旧钥匙上发现了一则意义深远的铭文——如果我休息，我就会生锈。对于那些懒散而烦恼的人来说，这将是至理名言。甚至最为勤勉的人也以此作为警示：如果一个人有才能而不用，就像废弃钥匙上的铁一样，这些才能就会很快生锈，并最终无法完成安排给自我的工作。
有些人想取得伟人所获得并坚持的成就，他们就必须不断运用自身才能，以便开启知识的大门，即那些通往人类奋力探求的各个领域的大门，这些领域包括各种职业：科学，艺术，文学，农业等。
勤奋使开启成功宝库的钥匙坚持光亮。如果休?米勒在采石场劳作一天后，晚上的时光用来休息消遣的话，他就不会成为名垂青史的地质学家。著名数学家爱德蒙?斯通如果闲暇时无所事事，就不会出版数学词典，也不会发现开启数学之门的钥匙。如果苏格兰青年弗格森在山坡上放羊时，让他那思维活跃的大脑处于休息状态，而不是借助一串珠子计算星星的位置，他就不会成为著名的天文学家。
劳动征服一切。那里所指的劳动不是断断续续的，间歇性的或方向偏差的劳动，而是坚定的，不懈的，方向正确的每日劳动。正如要想拥有自由就要时刻坚持警惕一样，要想取得伟大的，持久的成功，就必须坚持不懈地奋力。
英文美文（五）：
Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long trip that spans the continent. We are traveling by train. Out the windows， we drink in the passing scene of cars on nearby highways， of children waving at a crossing， of cattle grazing on a distant hillside， of smoke pouring from a power plant， of row upon row of corn and wheat， of flatlands and valleys， of mountains and rolling hillsides， of city skylines and village halls.
我们的潜意识里藏着一派田园诗般的风光! 我们仿佛身处一次横贯大陆的漫漫旅程之中! 乘着火车， 我们领略着窗外流动的景色：附近高速公路上奔驰的汽车、十字路口处招手的孩童、远山上吃草的牛群、源源不断地从电厂排放出的烟尘、一片片的玉米和小麦、平原与山谷、群山与绵延的丘陵、天空映衬下城市的轮廓， 以及乡间的庄园宅第!
But uppermost in our minds is the final destination. On a certain day at a certain hour， we will pull into the station. Bands will be playing and flags waving. Once we get there， so many wonderful dreams will e true and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a pleted jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles， damning the minutes for loitering --waiting， waiting， waiting for the station.
然而我们心里想得最多的却是最终的目的地! 在某一天的某一时刻， 我们将会抵达进站! 迎接我们的将是乐队和飘舞的彩旗! 一旦到了那儿， 多少美梦将成为现实， 我们的生活也将变得完整， 如同一块理好了的拼图! 可是我们此刻在过道里不耐烦地踱来踱去， 咒骂火车的拖拖拉拉! 我们期待着， 期待着， 期待着火车进站的那一刻!
"When we reach the station， that will be it! "we cry. "When Im 18. ""When I buy a new 450SL Mercedes Benz! ""When I put the last kid through college. ""When I have paid off the mortgage!""When I get a promotion.""When I reach the age of retirement， I shall live happily ever after! "
"当我们到站的时候， 一切就都好了! "我们呼喊着! "当我18岁的时候! ""当我有了一辆新450SL奔驰的时候! ""当我供最小的小孩念完大学的时候! ""当我偿清贷款的时候! ""当我官升高任的时候! ""当我到了退休的时候， 就能够从此过上快乐的生活啦! "
Sooner or later， we must realize there is no station， no one place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream. It constantly outdistances us.
可是我们终究会认识到人生的旅途中并没有车站， 也没有能够"一到永逸"的地方!生活的真正乐趣在于旅行的过程， 而车站可是是个梦， 它始终遥遥领先于我们!
"Relish the moment "is a good motto， especially when coupled with Psalm 118：24："This is the day which the Lord hath made;we will rejoice and be glad in it. "It isnt the burdens of today that drive men mad. It is the regrets over yesterday and the fear of tomorrow. Regret and fear are twin thieves who rob us of today.
"享受此刻"是句很好的箴言， 尤其是当它与《圣经·诗篇》中第118页24行的一段话相映衬的时候， 更是如此："今日乃主所创造;生活在今日我们将欢欣、高兴! "真正令人发疯的不是今日的负担， 而是对昨日的悔恨及对明日的恐惧! 悔恨与恐惧是一对孪生窃贼， 将今日从你我身边偷走!
So stop pacing the aisles and counting the miles. In stead， climb more mountains， eat more ice cream， go barefoot more often， swim more rivers， watch more sunsets， laugh more， cry less. Life must be lived as we go along. The station will e soon enough.
那么就不要在过道里徘徊吧， 别老惦记着你离车站还有多远! 何不换一种活法， 将更多的高山攀爬， 多吃点儿冰淇淋甜甜嘴巴， 经常光着脚板儿溜达溜达， 在更多的河流里畅游， 多看看夕阳西下， 多点欢笑哈哈， 少让泪水滴答! 生活得一边过一边瞧! 车站就会很快到达!
英文美文（六）：
Companionship of Books 以书为伴
A man may usually be known by the books he reads as well as by the pany he keeps; for there is a panionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best pany， whether it be of books or of men.
A good book may be among the best of friends. It is the same today that it always was， and it will never change. It is the most patient and cheerful of panions. It does not turn its back upon us in times of adversity or distress. It always receives us with the same kindness; amusing and instructing us in youth， and forting and consoling us in age.
Men often discover their affinity to each other by the mutual love they have for a book just as two persons sometimes discover a friend by the admiration which both entertain for a third. There is an old proverb， ‘Love me， love my dog.” But there is more wisdom in this:” Love me， love my book.” The book is a truer and higher bond of union. Men can think， feel， and sympathize with each other through their favorite author. They live in him together， and he in them.
A good book is often the best urn of a life enshrining the best that life could think out; for the world of a man’s life is， for the most part， but the world of his thoughts. Thus the best books are treasuries of good words， the golden thoughts， which， remembered and cherished， bee our constant panions and forters.
Books possess an essence of immortality. They are by far the most lasting products of human effort. Temples and statues decay， but books survive. Time is of no account with great thoughts， which are as fresh today as when they first passed through their author’s minds， ages ago. What was then said and thought still speaks to us as vividly as ever from the printed page. The only effect of time have been to sift out the bad products; for nothing in literature can long survive e but what is really good.
Books introduce us into the best society; they bring us into the presence of the greatest minds that have ever lived. We hear what they said and did; we see the as if they were really alive; we sympathize with them， enjoy with them， grieve with them; their experience bees ours， and we feel as if we were in a measure actors with them in the scenes which they describe.
The great and good do not die， even in this world. Embalmed in books， their spirits walk abroad. The book is a living voice. It is an intellect to which on still listens.
以书为伴（节选）
通常看一个读些什么书就可明白他的为人，就像看他同什么人交往就可明白他的为人一样，因为有人以人为伴，也有人以书为伴。无论是书友还是朋友，我们都应当以最好的为伴。
好书就像是你最好的朋友。它始终不渝，过去如此，此刻如此，将来也永久不变。它是最有耐心，最令人愉悦的伴侣。在我们穷愁潦倒，临危遭难时，它也不会抛弃我们，对我们总是一如既往地亲切。在我们年轻时，好书陶冶我们的性情，增长我们的知识；到我们年老时，它又给我们以慰藉和勉励。
人们常常因为喜欢同一本书而结为知已，就像有时两个人因为敬慕同一个人而成为朋友一样。有句古谚说道：“爱屋及屋。”其实“爱我及书”这句话蕴涵更多的哲理。书是更为真诚而高尚的情谊纽带。人们能够经过共同喜爱的作家沟通思想，交流感情，彼此息息相通，并与自我喜欢的作家思想相通，情感相融。
好书常如最精美的宝器，珍藏着人生的思想的精华，因为人生的境界主要就在于其思想的境界。所以，最好的书是金玉良言和崇高思想的宝库，这些良言和思想若铭记于心并多加珍视，就会成为我们忠实的伴侣和永恒的慰藉。
书籍具有不朽的本质，是为人类奋力创造的最为持久的成果。寺庙会倒坍，神像会朽烂，而书却经久长存。对于伟大的思想来说，时光是无关紧要的。多年前初次闪现于作者脑海的伟大思想今日依然清新如故。时光惟一的作用是淘汰不好的作品，因为仅有真正的佳作才能经世长存。
书籍介绍我们与最优秀的人为伍，使我们置身于历代伟人巨匠之间，如闻其声，如观其行，如见其人，同他们情感交融，悲喜与共，感同身受。我们觉得自我仿佛在作者所描绘的舞台上和他们一齐粉墨登场。
即使在人世间，伟大杰出的人物也永生不来。他们的精神被载入书册，传于四海。书是人生至今仍在聆听的智慧之声，永久充满着活力。
英文美文（七）：
We always convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married， have a baby， thenanother. Then we are frustrated that the kids arent old enough and well be more content whenthey are. After that we re frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly behappy when they are out of that stage.
我们总是相信，等我们结了婚，生了小孩生活会更完美。等有了小孩，我们又因为他们不够大而烦恼，想等他们大些时，我们就会开心了。可等他们进人青少年时期，我们还是同样地苦恼，于是又相信等他们过了这一阶段，快乐就会到来。
We always tell ourselves that our life will be plete when our spouse gets his or her acttogether， when we get a nicer car， and are able to go on a nice vacation， when we retire. Thetruth is， theres no better time than right now. If not now， when? Our life will always be filledwith challenges. Its best to admit this to ourselves and decide to be happy anyway.
我们总是告诉自我，等夫妻间任一方肯于合作，等我们拥有更好的车，等我们能去度一次美妙的假期，等我们退休后，我们的生活必须会完美的。而事实的真相是，没有任何时刻比此刻更宝贵。倘若不是此刻，又会是何时?我们的生活每时每刻都会有挑战。最好是让自我理解这一事实，无论如何使自我坚持欢乐的心境。
One of my favorite quotes es from Alfred Souza. He said， "For a long time it had seemed tome that life was about to begin-real life.But there was always some obstacle in the way， something to be gotten through first， someunfinished business， time still to be served， a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last itdawned onto me that these obstacles were my life. This perspective has helped me to see thatthere is no way to happiness.
我很欣赏艾尔弗雷德?苏泽的一段名言。他说："长期以来，我都觉得生活--真正的生活似乎即将开始。可是总会遇到某种障碍，如得先完成一些事情。没做完的工作，要奉献的时光，该付的债，等等。之后生活才会开始。最终我醒悟过来了，这些障碍本身就是我的生活。"这一观点让我意识到没有什么通往快乐的道路。
Happiness is the way. So treasure every moment that you have.And remember that time waits for no one. So stop waiting until you finish school， until you goback to school; until you get married， until you get divorced; until you have kids， until your kidsleave home; until you start work， until you retire; until you get a new car or home; untilspring; until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to behappy....
快乐本身就是路，所以，珍惜你拥有的每一刻，且记住时不我待，不要再作所谓的等待;你上完学，等你再回到学校;等你结婚或离婚;等你有了小孩或小孩长大离开家;等你开始工作或等你退休;等你有了新车或新房;等春天来临;等你有幸再来世上走一遭才明白此时此刻最应欢乐……
Happiness is a journey， not a destination. So，Work like you dont need money，
快乐是一个旅程，不是终点站;所以工作吧，如同不需要金钱一样;
Love like youve never been hurt，And dance like no ones watching.
去爱吧，如同从未受过伤害一样;跳舞吧，如同没有人注视一样。
to love， like never been hurt，to dance，like no one appreciate;
去爱吧，就像不曾受过伤一样;跳舞吧，像没有人会欣赏一样。
to sing， like no one listen to，to work， like no need of money;
唱歌吧，像没有人会聆听一样。干活吧，像是不需要金钱一样。
to life， like today is the end.
生活吧，就像今日是末日一样。
英文美文（八）：
Three Days to See(Excerpts)假如给我三天光明（节选）
All of us have read thrilling stories in which the hero had only a limited and specified time to live. Sometimes it was as long as a year， sometimes as short as 24 hours. But always we were interested in discovering just how the doomed hero chose to spend his last days or his last hours. I speak， of course， of free men who have a choice， not condemned criminals whose sphere of activities is strictly delimited.
Such stories set us thinking， wondering what we should do under similar circumstances. What events， what experiences， what associations should we crowd into those last hours as mortal beings， what regrets?
Sometimes I have thought it would be an excellent rule to live each day as if we should die tomorrow. Such an attitude would emphasize sharply the values of life. We should live each day with gentleness， vigor and a keenness of appreciation which are often lost when time stretches before us in the constant panorama of more days and months and years to e. There are those， of course， who would adopt the Epicurean motto of “Eat， drink， and be merry”. But most people would be chastened by the certainty of impending death.
In stories the doomed hero is usually saved at the last minute by some stroke of fortune， but almost always his sense of values is changed. He bees more appreciative of the meaning of life and its permanent spiritual values. It has often been noted that those who live， or have lived， in the shadow of death bring a mellow sweetness to everything they do.
Most of us， however， take life for granted. We know that one day we must die， but usually we picture that day as far in the future. When we are in buoyant health， death is all but unimaginable. We seldom think of it. The days stretch out in an endless vista. So we go about our petty tasks， hardly aware of our listless attitude toward life.
The same lethargy， I am afraid， characterizes the use of all our faculties and senses. Only the deaf appreciate hearing， only the blind realize the manifold blessings that lie in sight. Particularly does this observation apply to those who have lost sight and hearing in adult life. But those who have never suffered impairment of sight or hearing seldom make the fullest use of these blessed faculties. Their eyes and ears take in all sights and sounds hazily， without concentration and with little appreciation. It is the same old story of not being grateful for what we have until we lose it， of not being conscious of health until we are ill.
I have often thought it would be a blessing if each human being were stricken blind and deaf for a few days at some time during his early adult life. Darkness would make him more appreciative of sight; silence would teach him the joys of sound.
假如给我三天光明（节选）
我们都读过震撼人心的故事，故事中的主人公只能再活一段很有限的时光，有时长达一年，有时却短至一日。但我们总是想要明白，注定要离世人的会选择如何度过自我最终的时光。当然，我说的是那些有选择权利的自由人，而不是那些活动范围受到严格限定的死囚。
这样的故事让我们思考，在类似的处境下，我们该做些什么？作为终有一死的人，在临终前的几个小时内我们应当做什么事，经历些什么或做哪些联想？回忆往昔，什么使我们开心欢乐？什么又使我们悔恨不已？
有时我想，把每一天都当作生命中的最终一天来边，也不失为一个极好的生活法则。这种态度会使人格外重视生命的价值。我们每一天都应当以优雅的姿态，充沛的精力，抱着感恩之心来生活。但当时光以无休止的日，月和年在我们面前流逝时，我们却常常没有了这种子感觉。当然，也有人奉行“吃，喝，享受”的享乐主义信条，但绝大多数人还是会受到即将到来的死亡的惩罚。
在故事中，将死的主人公通常都在最终一刻因突降的幸运而获救，但他的价值观通常都会改变，他变得更加理解生命的意义及其永恒的精神价值。我们常常注意到，那些生活在或以往生活在死亡阴影下的人无论做什么都会感到快乐。
然而，我们中的大多数人都把生命看成是理所当然的。我们明白有一天我们必将应对死亡，但总认为那一天还在遥远的将来。当我们身强体健之时，死亡简直不可想象，我们很少研究到它。日子多得好像没有尽头。所以我们一味忙于琐事，几乎意识不到我们对待生活的冷漠态度。
我担心同样的冷漠也存在于我们对自我官能和意识的运用上。仅有聋子才理解听力的重要，仅有盲人才明白视觉的可贵，这尤其适用于那些成年后才失去视力或听力之苦的人很少充分利用这些宝贵的本事。他们的眼睛和耳朵模糊地感受着周围的景物与声音，心不在焉，也无所感激。这正好我们仅有在失去后才懂得珍惜一样，我们仅有在生病后才意识到健康的可贵。
我经常想，如果每个人在年轻的时候都有几天失时失聪，也不失为一件幸事。黑暗将使他更加感激光明，寂静将告诉他声音的美妙。
英文美文（九）：
When Love Beckons You
When love beckons to you， follow him， though his ways are hard and steep. And when his wings enfold you， yield to him， though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you， believe in him， though his voice may shatter your dreams as the north wind lays waste the garden.
For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun， so shall he descend to our roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.
But if， in your fear， you would seek only love’s peace and love’s pleasure， then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love’s threshing-floor， into the seasonless world where you shall laugh， but not all of your laughter， and weep， but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but it self and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not， nor would it be possessed， for love is sufficient unto love.
Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. But if you love and must have desires， let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a payer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.
爱召唤
当爱召唤你时，请追随她，尽管爱道路艰难险峻。当爱羽翼拥抱你时，请顺从她，尽管隐藏在其羽翼之下剑可能会伤到你。当爱向你诉说时，请相信她，尽管她声音可能打破你梦想，就如同北风吹落花园里所有花瓣。
爱会给你戴上桂冠，也会折磨你。爱会助你长大，也会给你修枝。爱会上升到枝头，抚爱你在阳光下颤动力嫩枝，也会下潜至根部，撼动力你紧抓泥土根基。
可是，如果你在恐惧之中只想寻求爱平和与欢乐，那你就最好掩盖真实自我，避开爱考验，进入不分季节世界，在那里你将欢笑，但并非开怀大笑，你将哭泣，但并非尽情地哭。爱只将自我付出，也只得到自我。爱一无所有，也不会为谁所有，因为爱本身就已自足。
爱除了实现自我别无他求。可是如果你爱而又不得不有所求，那就请期望：
将自我融化并像奔流溪水一般向夜晚吟唱自我优美曲调。
明了过多温柔所带来苦痛。
被自我对爱理解所伤害；
并情愿欢乐地悲伤。
在黎明带着轻快心醒来并感激又一个有家日子；
在黄昏怀着感恩之心回家；
然后为内心所爱之人祈祷，吟唱赞美之歌，并带着祷告和歌声入眠。
英文美文（十）：
Youth 青春
Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not a matter of rosy cheeks， red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of the will， a quality of the imagination， a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.
Youth means a temperamental predominance of courage over timidity， of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. This often exists in a man of 60 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old merely by a number of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.
Years may wrinkle the skin， but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry， fear， self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to dust.
Whether 60 or 16， there is in every human being’s heart the lure of wonders， the unfailing appetite for what’s next and the joy of the game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart， there is a wireless station; so long as it receives messages of beauty， hope， courage and power from man and from the infinite， so long as you are young.
When your aerials are down， and your spirit is covered with snows of cynicism and the ice of pessimism， then you’ve grown old， even at 20; but as long as your aerials are up， to catch waves of optimism， there’s hope you may die young at 80.
青春
青春不是年华，而是心境；青春不是桃面、丹唇、柔膝，而是深沉的意志，恢宏的想象，炙热的恋情；青春是生命的深泉在涌流。
青春气贯长虹，勇锐盖过怯弱，进取压倒苟安。如此锐气，二十后生而有之，六旬男子则更多见。年岁有加，并非垂老，梦想丢弃，方堕暮年。
岁月悠悠，衰微只及肌肤；热忱抛却，颓废必致灵魂。忧烦，惶恐，丧失自信，定使心灵扭曲，意气如灰。
无论年届花甲，拟或二八芳龄，心中皆有生命之欢乐，奇迹之诱惑，孩童般天真久盛不衰。人人心中皆有一台天线，只要你从天上人间理解完美、期望、欢乐、勇气和力气的信号，你就青春永驻，风华常存。、
一旦天线下降，锐气便被冰雪覆盖，玩世不恭、自暴自弃油然而生，即使年方二十，实已垂垂老矣；然则只要树起天线，捕捉乐观信号，你就有望在八十高龄告别尘寰时仍觉年轻。
英文美文（十一）：
永不言弃Never Give Up
Successful people often say never give up. They are sincerely trying to motivate others to success.
那些成功人士经常说绝不放下。他们真诚地激励别人成功。
It can be a really hard experience for some， so when they do reach their goal， they are almost in shock. There is no need to wade through crocodile-infested waters when there is a safe bridge to use. Sheer hard work and determination is great， but not at the expense of enjoyment and a sense of fulfillment along the journey. duanwenw So staying motivated is important to maintain this exciting path to success. It doesn’t matter how far away your oute6 is， because you are going to enjoy the trip.
这对有些人来说很难，所以当他们到达自我的目标时，他们竟会感到很意外。当有桥能保障我们的安全时，就没有必要去锳鳄鱼成群的水域。纯粹的奋力工作和决心固然很好，但不要以放下享乐、放下梦想为代价。所以，坚持进取乐观对走向成功之路至关重要。何时会有结果并不重要，因为你享受的是过程。
If a change in circumstances is not possible at the moment， accept that. So how can you be happy enough， if only a little of your time is enjoyable?
如果此刻无法改变环境，那就理解吧。如果你大多数时候都不愉快，欢乐又从何说起呢?
Pretend. That is all you can do. Whether you are a cleaning worker or serving customers， speak to people with care. duanwenw Watch the smile on their faces as if you brought it to them. Enthusiasm is infectious. If you focus on enjoying your tasks， they will be easier. Time flies when you are having fun. Enjoy life at present， and don’t just wait for the end result.
你所能做的仅有假装。不论你是清洁工还是服务员，与别人说话需谨慎。看着他们脸上的笑容，就像这笑容是你带给他们的一样。热情是能传染的。如果你能专心享受自我的工作，他人也会更舒服。时光如梭，享受此刻的生活，不要只是等待最终的结果。
英文美文（十二）：
Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe， a moment that will never be again … And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four， and that Paris is the capital of France.
我们活着的每一秒都是独一无二的
When will we also teach them what they are?
我们活着的每一秒都是世界上独一无二、不可重现的。我们应当教给我们的小孩些什么呢?2+2=4，法国的首都是巴黎?
We should say to each of them： Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed， there has never been another child like you. Your legs， your arms， your clever fingers， the way you move.
我们活着的每一秒都是世界上独一无二、不可重现的。我们应当教给我们的小孩些什么呢?2+2=4，法国的首都是巴黎?
You may bee a Shakespeare， a Michelangelo， a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes， you are a marvel. And when you grow up， can you then harm another who is， like you， a marvel?
你能够成为莎士比亚，米开朗琪罗，或者是贝多芬。你有成就一切的本事。是的，你是一个奇迹。而当你长大之后，你会忍心去伤害另一个如你一般的奇迹么?
You must work — we must all work — to make the world worth of its children.
我们必须同心协力，让这个世界成为值得小孩们生活的乐土。
英文美文（十三）：
踏上新的征程Embark on a New Beginning
It is the road you take that decides your destiny but not your destiny that decides the road you take.
你所走的路决定你的命运，而不是你的命运决定你应当走什么样的路。
The question is: Are you satisfied with who you are? Are you doing what you are capable of doing? duanwenw Do you get excited about what you are going to do when you get up in the morning? It is high time you asked these questions that reflect the truth about your life. More often than not we have the ability to achieve much greater things， but we get caught in the average things in life and waste our potential. Each one of us has immense ability. But most of us fail to use it. Why?
问题来了，你满足于你的现状吗?你正在做自我力所能及的事吗?每一天起床后，你会对自我要去做的事感到兴奋吗?是时候问问这些能反映自我真实情景的问题了。我们总是有机会获得更大的成功的，可是却又常常被日常琐事所累，从而白白浪费了自我的潜力。每个人的本事都很强，可是我们却常常无法正确利用它。为什么呢?
1. There is no exact purpose for your life.
1. 生活没有明确的目标
2. You underestimate yourself.
2. 低估自我
3. You are too busy to think about any-thing.
3. 忙到没时光思考
4. You are in a fortable zone.
4. 安于现状。
5. You fear failure.
5. 害怕失败。
Ask yourself， what difference am I making in the lives of others? duanwenw Would you be happy and satisfied with what you have achieved? Are you following your passion? You must find what you love and what gives you fulfillment.
自问一下，我给别人的生活带来了什么改变吗?你对自我的成就感到欢乐和满意吗?你正充满活力吗?你必须找到你所爱的和能给你带来满足感的事物。
Don’t be afraid to make a new beginning. Go deep and explore the possibilities. As you go deeper and deeper， you begin to add meaning to your life.
不要害怕重新起跑。更深入地去发现可能性。当你对生活理解加深的时候，你就给生活增添了意义。
英文美文（十四）：
Once a circle missed a wedge. The circle wanted to be whole， so it went around looking for its missing piece. But because it was inplete and therefore could roll only very slowly， it admired the flowers along the way. It chatted with worms. It enjoyed the sunshine. It found lots of different pieces， but none of them fit. So it left them all by the side of the road and kept on searching. Then one day the circle found a piece that fit perfectly. It was so happy. Now it could be whole， with nothing missing. It incorporated the missing piece into itself and began to roll. Now that it was a perfect circle， it could roll very fast， too fast to notice flowers or talk to the worms. When it realized how different the world seemed when it rolled so quickly， it stopped， left its found piece by the side of the road and rolled slowly away.
从前有个圆圈，它丢失了一小段。它想变得完整，于是它到处寻找它所丢失的那部分。由于不完整，它只能滚的十分慢。在路上，它羡慕过花儿，它与虫子聊过天，它享受了阳光的照耀。它遇到过很多不一样的小段，可是没有一个适合它。所以它把它们丢在路边，继续寻找。有一天，圆圈找到了能够与它完美结合的一小段，它十分高兴。它此刻最终完整了，不缺任何东西了。它把丢失的那段装到自我身上，然后滚了起来。它此刻是个完整的圆圈了，它能够滚的很快快到忽视了花儿，快到没有时光和虫子们说话。当它意识到由于它滚的太快，世界变得如此的不一样时，它便停了下来，把找到的那段卸下丢在路边，慢慢地滚走了。
There is a wholeness about the person who has e to terms with his limitations， who has been brave enough to let go of his unrealistic dreams and not feel like a failure for doing so. There is a wholeness about the man or woman who has learned that he or she is strong enough to go through a tragedy and survive， she can lose someone and still feel like a plete person.
人生的完整性，在于理解自我的缺陷，勇敢地丢弃不切实际的幻想，并且不觉得这样做是失败的；人生的完整性，在于明白自我足够强大，能够承受人生的苦难，能够在失去一个人时仍然觉得自我是完整的。
英文美文（十五）：
成功的季节The Seasons of Success
As the season of spring es upon us， it is important that you start preparing yourself for change.
当春天的脚步越来越近，重要的是，你得开始为改变做准备了。
Life has four seasons: spring， summer， fall and winter. However， success also has its four seasons. So， every three to four months， expect changes to occur in your life. You must understand it has always been this way and it will continue to be this way.
生活分四季:春、夏、秋、冬。然而，成功也分四季。所以，每隔三到四个月，你就要期待生活会发生变化。你得了解生活就是这样发生变化的，并且会继续这样。
Circumstances are the storms， the cold and the rain in your life. You cannot control your circumstances， duanwenw but you can control your response to them. You can not change your situation overnight， but you can change the way you think about it overnight.
环境就像你生活中的暴风雨、寒潮和大雨。你无法控制自我的环境，但能选择对待它们的反应。你不可能一下子改变自我的处境，但你能很快改变你的思维方式。
Start thinking about the goals and dreams that you have planted in your heart. As you prepare for spectacular spring， some of your dreams will be ready to blossom， while others may still need to be cultivated. Just as a farmer knows when to plant and expect the harvest， you must also be prepared to plan and expect success.
想想那些已经根植在你心里的目标和梦想吧。当你准备迎接完美的春天时，你的一些梦想就会随之绽放，而有些梦想的实现则仍需时日。正如农夫明白何时播种、何时收获，你也要做好计划并期待成功。
Have you determined the weather forecast for your goals and dreams? Do you have your strategic umbrella ready for sudden changes? duanwenw The trees and flowers do not plain about the rain， because they understand it is important to their growth. Remember， the unexpected changes in your life are just preparing you for growth and success.
你为自我的目标和梦想预测天气变化了吗?你为突然的变故准备好战略性的保护伞了吗?绿树和红花从不曾对雨有过丝毫抱怨，只因它们明白雨对自我的长大至关重要。切记:你生命中那些意想不到的变故就是为你的长大和成功所准备的。