英语名篇名段

The chess-board is the world:the pieces are the phenomena of the universe; the rules of the game are what we call the laws of nature. The player on the other side is hidden from us. We know that his play is always fair, just and patient. But also we know, to our cost, that he never overlooks a mistake, or makes the smallest allowance for ignorance.

By Thomas Henry Huxley

参考译文

棋盘宛如世界：一个个棋子仿佛世间的种种现象：游戏规则就是我们所称的自然法则。竞争对手藏于暗处，不为我们所见。我们知晓，这位对手向来处事公平，正义凛然，极富耐心。然而，我们也明白，这位对手从不忽视任何错误，或者因为我们的无知而做出一丝让步，所以我们也必须为此付出代价。

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times; it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness; it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity; it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness; it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair; we had everything before us, we had nothing before us; we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way.

Excerpt from A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

参考译文

这是一个最好的时代，也是一个最坏的时代；这是明智的年代，这是愚昧的年代；这是信任的纪元，这是怀疑的纪元；这是光明的季节，这是黑暗的季节；这是希望的春日，这是失望的冬日；我们面前应有尽有，我们面前一无所有；我们都将直下地狱……

Equality and Greatness

Between persons of equal income there is no social distinction except the distinction of merit. Money is nothing;character,conduct,and capacity are everything.Instead of all the workers being leveled down to low wage standards and all the rich leveled up to fashionbale income standards,everybody under a system of equal incomes would find his or her own natural level.There would be great people and ordinary people and little peolpe,but the great would always be those who had done great things,and never the idiot whose mother had spoiled them and whose father had left a hunred thousand a year;and the little would be persons of small minds and mean characters,and not poor persons who had never had a chance.That is why idiots are always in favour of inequality of income(their only chance of eminence),and the really great in favour of equality.

收入相当的人除了品性迥异以外没有社会差别。金钱不能说明什么；性格，行为，能力才代表一切。在收入平等制度下，每个人将会找到他或她正常的地位，而不是所有的工人被划到应拿低工资阶层，所有的富人被划到应得高收入的阶层。人有卓著伟人，平庸之辈和碌碌小人之别，然伟人总是那些有所建树之人，而非从小深受母亲溺爱，父亲每年留下一大笔钱之人；

碌碌小人总是那些心胸狭窄，品德卑劣之人，而不是那些从未获取机会的穷人。愚蠢之众总是赞成收入不平等（他们职能凭借这种机会才能为人所知），而真正伟大之人则主张平等相待，原因就在于此。

Great Expectations

As the night was fast falling,and as the moon,being past the full,would not rise early,we held a little council:a short one,for clearly our course was to lie by at the first lonely tavern we could find.So,they plied their oars once more,and I looked out for anything like a house.Thus we held on,speaking little,for four or five dull miles.It was very cold,and,a collier coming by us,with her gallery-fire smoking and flaring,looked like a comfortable home.The night was as dark by this time as it would be until morning;and what light we had,seemed to come more from the river than the sky,as the oars in their dipping stuck at a few reflected stars.

天黑得很快，偏巧这天又是下弦月，月亮不会很早升起。我们就稍稍商量了一下，可是也用不着多讨论，因为情况是明摆着的，再划下去我们一遇到冷落的酒店就得投宿。于是他们又使劲打起浆来，我则用心寻找岸上是否隐隐约约有什么房屋的模样。这样又赶了四五英里路，一路上好不气闷，大家简直不说一句话。天气非常冷，一艘煤船从我们近旁驶过，船上厨房里生着火，炊烟缕缕，火光荧荧，在我们看来简直就是个安乐家了。这时夜已透黑，看来就要这样一直黑到天明，我们仅有的一点光亮似乎不是来自天空，而是来自河上，一浆又一浆的，搅动着那寥寥几颗倒映在水里的寒星。





Henry David Thoreau/享利.大卫.梭罗

However mean your life is,meet it and live it ;do not shun it and call it hard names.It is not so bad as you are.It looks poorest when you are richest.The fault-finder will find faults in paradise.Love your life,poor as it is.You may perhaps have some pleasant,thrilling,glorious hourss,even in a poor-house.The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the alms-house as brightly as from the rich man's abode;the snow melts before its door as early in the spring.I do not see but a quiet mind may live as contentedly there,and have as cheering thoughts,as in a palace.The town's poor seem to me often to live the most independent lives of any.May be they are simply great enough to receive without misgiving.Most think that they are above being supported by the town;but it often happens that they are not above supporting themselves by dishonest means.which should be more disreputable.Cultivate poverty like a garden herb,like sage.Do not trouble yourself much to get new things,whether clothes or friends,Turn the old,return to them.Things do not change;we change.Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts.

不论你的生活如何卑贱，你要面对它生活，不要躲避它，更别用恶言咒骂它

。它不像你那样坏。你最富有的时候，倒是看似最穷。爱找缺点的人就是到天堂里也能找到缺点。你要爱你的生活，尽管它贫穷。甚至在一个济贫院里，你也还有愉快、高兴、光荣的时候。夕阳反射在济贫院的窗上，像身在富户人家窗上一样光亮；在那门前，积雪同在早春融化。我只看到，一个从容的人，在哪里也像在皇宫中一样，生活得心满意足而富有愉快的思想。城镇中的穷人，我看，倒往往是过着最独立不羁的生活。也许因为他们很伟大，所以受之无愧。大多数人以为他们是超然的，不靠城镇来支援他们；可是事实上他们是往往利用了不正当的手段来对付生活，他们是毫不超脱的，毋宁是不体面的。视贫穷如园中之花而像圣人一样耕植它吧！不要找新的花样，无论是新的朋友或新的衣服，来麻烦你自己。找旧的，回到那里去。万物不变，是我们在变。你的衣服可以卖掉，但要保留你的思想。

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.

…

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 tech him the joys of sound.

Now and them I have tested my seeing friends to discover what they see. Recently I was visited by a very good friends who had　just returned from a long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed.. "Nothing in particular, " she replied. I might have been incredulous had I not been accustomed to such reposes, for long ago I became convinced that the seeing see little.

How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough, shaggy bark of a pine. In the spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud the first sign of awakening Nature after her winter's sleep. I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle of Nature is revealed to me. Occasionally, if I am very fortunate, I place my hand gently on a small tree and feel the happy quiver of a bird in full song. I am delighted to have the cool waters of a brook rush thought my open finger. To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug. To me the page ant

of seasons is a thrilling and unending drama, the action of which streams through my finger tips.

Excerpt from Story of My Life Helen Keller

A girl

The tree has entered my hands,

The sap has ascended my arms,

The tree has grown in my breast-

Downward,

The branches grow out of me, like arms.

Tree you are,

Moss you are,

You are violets with wind above them.

A child - so high - you are,

And all this is folly to the world.

By Ezra Pound




Wealth,Success&Love财富，成功和爱

A woman came out of her house and saw three old men

with long white beards sitting in her front yard.

She did not recognize them.

一个妇人出门看到3位白须飘然的老者坐在她家前院。妇人与他们素不相识。

She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry.

Please come in and have something to eat."

她上前同他们打招呼：“你们一定饿了，进屋吃点东西吧?”

"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.

"No", she replied. "He's out."

"Then we cannot come in", they replied.

“你们家男主人在吗?”老人们问。

妇人回答： “他出去了。”

“他不在，我们就不进去。”老人们回答。

In the evening when her husband came home,

she told him what had happened.

"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"

晚上，丈夫回家了，妇人将遇到的事告诉了他。

“快去告诉他们我回来了，请他们进来!”

The woman went out and invited the men in.

"We do not go into a house together," they replied.

"Why is that?" she asked.

于是妇人出去邀老人们进屋。

“我们不能一同进屋。”老人们说。

“那是为什么?”妇人感到疑惑。

One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth,"

he said pointing to one of his friends,

and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love."

一个老人指着一个同伴说：“他名叫财富。”

指向另一个同伴说：“他叫成功，我是爱。”

Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband

which one of us you want in your home."

他接着说：“你现在进去和丈夫商量，看你们家需要我们中哪一个。”

The woman went in and told her husband what was said.

Her husband was overjoyed.

"How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth.

Let him come and fill our home with wealth!"

His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?"

妇人把老人的话告诉丈夫。丈夫十分惊喜，

说：“既然如此，我们就邀请财富老人吧，让他进来，把我们的房子装满财富! ”

妻子不同意，说：“亲爱的，为什么不邀请成功呢?”

Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house.

She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love?

Our home will then

be filled with love!"

他们的儿媳妇在屋子的另一头听到这些话，建议道：“邀请爱进来不是更好吗?我们家将会充满爱。”

"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.

"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."

The woman went out and asked the three old men,

"Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest."

“我们接受儿媳的建议吧，” 丈夫对妻子说，“去吧爱请进来坐我们的客人吧。”

这位妇人走出门问3个老人：“你们之中哪位是爱?请进来做客。”

Love got up and started walking toward the house.

The other two also got up and followed him.

Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success:

"I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?"

爱老人起身朝房子走去，另外两位也起身跟着走了进去。

这位妇人吃惊地问道：“我邀请的是爱，你们两位怎么也跟进来?”

The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success,

the other two of us would've stayed out,

but you invited Love, and wherever he goes, we go also.

Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!"

老人们齐声答道：“如果你要请财富或者成功的话，

其余的两个人都会呆在外面的，但你邀请了爱，

无论他走到哪，我们就跟到哪。

哪里有爱，哪里就有财富与成功!”



Confidence



Every day is a new day in our life.

There is much to do today.

The early morning sun inspires us to start things freshly and put back our past.

Only a handful of us make use of this fresh bunch of energy.

In various walis of life this affects the way we behave and our confidence level.

Confidence is a key to survive in this world.

It is the only key tool to win the rat race in every walk of life.

Confidence in ones owns capabilities combined with sincere efforts help one to achieve unthinkable heights.

But many times we see that this basic element of confidence is missing in us.

As a result of lack of confidence we perform well below our caliber.

Be it in a public speech, proposing your beloved, visas for your college or in an interview or say even on the eve before your exams.

This can be due to fear of being rejected or any other reason.

If we look into our hearts and think, we will come to know that fear inside us I going to get us nowhere.

The confidence inside us is going to take us places.

This is because with confidence we can put our thoughts into words in a better and pleasing way.

So we have to get out of that shell where we think whether people will accept us as we are?

Instead of living in these unending moments of fear and thoughtless analysis, it is better if we project ourselves with the skills we have with the gloss of confidence.

With confidence we can portray the finer points of our personality in such a way that

the places where we do lack are never highlighted.

Confidence should glow in us only till the point where our personality is boosted.

Above this it leads to over-confidence that is harmful.

Over-confidence results in unsatisfied performance levels as the seed of ego grows into a plant into our mind.

We then imagine and make big talks just to maintain our ego.

So guys don’t let the seed of ego to germinate in your mind, as this seed should be used only for you to live up to your expectations.

Confidence is all about being cool, calm and composed.

So guys do you have it in you?

If you think you don't,boost up yourselves as your mind is your greatest mentor.

You are your greatest helper.



A Smile is A Gift That Anyone Can Give

It costs noting, but saves much.

微笑不需要花费你一分钱,但却能带来很多.

It enriches those who receive,without impovershing those who give.

它使那些得到它的人富有,却不会使付出它的人贫穷.

It happens in a flash , and the memory of it sometimes lasts forever.

它发生在一瞬间,但它的记忆有时却是永恒的.

None is so rich that he can get along without it; none so poor that he is not enriched by it.

如果人们可以没有微笑,那么,无论拥有什么都会觉得贫穷.如果人们无法因此而丰富,那么就没有什么比这更贫穷了.

It creates happiness in the home, fosters goodwill in business,and is the countersign of friends.

微笑为家庭到来欢笑,为工作增添善意,是友谊的象征.

It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged, sunshine to the sick, and Nature's best antidote for trouble.

它是缓解疲劳的良药,是征服气馁的日光,是治疗疾病的阳光,是自然界中战胜困难的灵丹妙药.

It cannot be bought, borrowed, or stolen, for it is no earthly good to anyone until it is given away.

它不能买,不能借,也不能偷,因为在它被给予他人之前是毫无用处的.

If you meet someone too burdened with grief or worry to smile, just give him one of yours.

如果你遇见某人被悲伤和焦虑压得喘不过气来,只要给他一个微笑就行.

For nobody needs a smile so much as he who has none left to give.

因为当一个人无法再给予微笑的时候,他也就不那么需要微笑了!




《CAPTURE YOUR SOUL》-FIVE MINUTES TO SPARE

No matter how busy you are ,you could spend five minutes:

To answer the telephone

To read the morning paper

To talk with a neighbor

To dispute with the laundryman about a mistake

To watch new furniture being unloaded next door

To chat with a salesman

To read a trivial letter

Or to write one

It takes only five minutes:

To say a prayer for the suffering friend

To stop and think of God's daily gift of mercy

To remember the cross

To make an act of faith, hope, and love

To whisper an"our Father" or "Hail Mary" for someone in need

To

say a decade of the Rosary for the pour souls

To vist the little statue or picture on the mantle place and tell the Savior how much you love him

To make a spiritual communion

Which is the better way to spend five minutes?