常春藤生活英语【11】Good Karma for Penny 种善因得

We might forget the things we do, but that doesn't mean they forget us. If you believe in karma, then you believe everything a person does is a cause. Some day their actions will return as an effect. Whether it is a good deed or a mean trick, every action stays in the karma circle. If you hurt someone, which is bad karma, you too will be hurt sometime in the future. However, if you assist¹ people, an example of good karma, you will find help in your hour of need.

There are lots of stories about bad karma. Every time we do something wrong, we get punished in one way or another. It seems that there is no easy escape from the awful things that we have done.

But how often do you hear about a good deed that's rewarded? We should help others and make lots of good karma even if you think good deeds are a waste of time. Penny Brown found out just how important good karma is the day she almost choked to death.

我们也许会忘了自己做过的事，但那不意味这些事会忘记我们。假如您相信因果报应的存在，那么您就相信人所做的每件事情都是一个起因。他们的行为某天会回过头来影响自己。不论是善行或恶作剧，每个举动都会在『业』的圆圈里轮回不已。如果您伤害某人，也就是恶业，您在未来某个时候同样会遭伤害。然而，倘若您帮助某人，也就是善业的例子之一，您将会在需要帮忙之际得到协助。

关于恶业的故事很多。每当我们做错事，无论如何都会遭到惩罚。我们似乎无法轻易逃脱做了坏事之后的报应。

但是您有多常听到获得回报的善行？尽管您觉得做好事是浪费时间，我们仍应该帮助他人，多种善因。潘妮?布朗差点噎死的那天，便发觉善业是多么重要。

Building Your Vocabulary

1.awful　a. 糟糕的，恶劣的
I felt awful about not being able to help.
帮不上忙，我心里很难受。

2.reward　vt. 报答，酬谢
The company rewarded Allen's hard work with a big bonus.
公司发给艾伦一大笔奖金，用以酬谢他的辛劳。

3.choke　vi. 噎住；窒息
Children can easily choke on candies.
小孩子很容易就会被糖果噎住。

Phrases for Learning²

1.in + 所有格 + hour of need　某人患难时
Al is a friend I can turn to in my hour of need.
艾尔是一个我在困顿时能够投靠的朋友。

2.(in) one way or another　用某种方法（虽然还不知道用哪一种）
We'll get the work done one way or another.
不论用什么方法，我们都会把工作完成。

3.a waste of...　浪费……
That expensive car is a total waste of money.
买那台昂贵的车真是白白浪费钱。

参考字词

1.karma　n.（佛教）业，因果报应

2.cause　n. 起因，原因

3.deed　n. 行为，事迹

4.escape　n. 逃脱，逃避

Tips In Use

If you believe in karma, then you believe everything a person does...
（假如您相信因果报应的存在，那么您就相信人所做的每件事情……）

believe in 与 believe 大致上说来都是表『相似』，但意思略有不同，使用时务必小心。

1.believe in + 物　　相信某物的存在
Bobby doesn't believe in Santa Claus.
（巴比不相信世上有圣诞老人。）

2.believe in + 人　　信赖某人
Children need a teacher that they can believe in.
（孩子们需要一个可以信赖的老师。）

3.believe...　　相信……是真的
I don't believe a word Terry says.
（泰瑞说的话我一点也不信。）

1 assist   

vt.协助，帮助，促进；vi.帮忙，参加

参考例句：

• He asked us to assist him in carrying through their plan.他要我们帮助他实施他们的计划。
• We'll assist at your wedding.我们将出席你们的婚礼。

2 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。