名校励志英语演讲 71:做真正的自己

 　　For many of you, today, success is being able to hold down 20 shots of tequila. For me, the most important thing in your life is to live your life with integrity, and not to give into peer pressure. to try to be something that you're not. To live your life as an honest and compassionate¹ person. to contribute in some way.

　　你们长大后就会明白，对成功的定义是会改变的。你们中的许多人对成功的定义就是灌完20杯龙舌兰烈酒。我认为，你们生活中最重要的事情就是要活得诚实正直，别屈从于同伴的压力，把自己变成本不是的那个人。要活得诚实，有同情心，要在某个方面有所贡献。

　　So to conclude my conclusion: follow your passion, stay true to yourself. Never follow anyone else's path, unless you're in the woods and you're lost and you see a path, and by all means you should follow that. Don't give advice, it will come back and bite you in the ass². Don't take anyone's advice. So my advice to you is to be true to yourself and everything will be fine.

　　这是结论的结论，追随热情，忠于自我。永远不要追随别人的脚步，除非你在森林里迷了路才能这么做，那时你真的该这么做。别给人忠告，它们会给你带来麻烦。也别接受任何别人的忠告。那么我要给大家的忠告是，做真正的自己，一切都会顺利的。

　　And I know that a lot of you are concerned about your future, but there's no need to worry. The economy is booming, the job market is wide open, the planet is just fine. It's gonna be great. You've already survived a hurricane. What else can happen to you? And as I mentioned before, some of the most devastating³ things that happen to you will teach you the most. And now you know the right questions to ask in your first job interview. Like, "Is it above sea level?" .

　　我知道，在座的许多人都担心自己的前途，但不用担心。经济正在急速增长，就业市场极为广阔，地球也好得很。一切都会好的。你们经历了飓风，还有什么害怕的呢？我之前说过，从最惨痛的经历中可以吸收很多教训。现在你们知道在你们的第一次面试中改问什么样的问题了吧？比如，公司高于海平面吗？（纽奥良地势低而淹水）

　　So to conclude my conclusion that I've previously⁴ concluded, in the common cement speech, I guess what I'm trying to say is life is like one big Mardi Gras. But instead of showing your boobs, show people your brain, and if they like what they see, you'll have more beads⁵ than you know what to do with. And you'll be drunk, most of the time.

　　总结我之前的结论，我的“常见的水泥”演讲，我想说的是，人生就像一场狂欢节嘉年华，但请展现你们的头脑，而非胸部，如果人家欣赏的话你就有更多的金银财宝可以使用，而且在大多数时间你都会醉。

　　So the Katrina class of 2009, I say congratulations and if you don't remember a thing I said today, remember this: you're gonna be ok, dum de dum dum dum, just dance.

　　因此，杜兰大学2009届的毕业生们，祝贺你们顺利毕业！如果你们不记得我说过的任何话，请记住这句，一切都会好的，尽管跳舞吧！

　　follow your passion, stay true to yourself. Never follow anyone else's path, unless you're in the woods and you're lost and you see a path, and by all means you should follow that. Don't give advice, it will come back and bite you in the ass. Don't take anyone's advice. So my advice to you is to be true to yourself and everything will be fine.

　　追随热情，忠于自我。永远不要追随别人的脚步，除非你在森林里迷了路才能这么做，那时你真的该这么做。别给人忠告，它们会给你带来麻烦。也别接受任何别人的忠告。那么我要给大家的忠告是，做真正的自己，一切都会顺利的。

1 compassionate   

adj.有同情心的，表示同情的

参考例句：

• She is a compassionate person.她是一个有同情心的人。
• The compassionate judge gave the young offender a light sentence.慈悲的法官从轻判处了那个年轻罪犯。

2 ass   

n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人

参考例句：

• He is not an ass as they make him.他不象大家猜想的那样笨。
• An ass endures his burden but not more than his burden.驴能负重但不能超过它能力所负担的。

3 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

4 previously   

adv.以前，先前（地）

参考例句：

• The bicycle tyre blew out at a previously damaged point.自行车胎在以前损坏过的地方又爆开了。
• Let me digress for a moment and explain what had happened previously.让我岔开一会儿，解释原先发生了什么。

5 beads   

n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链

参考例句：

• a necklace of wooden beads 一条木珠项链
• Beads of perspiration stood out on his forehead. 他的前额上挂着汗珠。