羊皮卷的故事（12）

My ambition is to become even greater than you,

我的目标是要比您更伟大，

the greatest merchant, the wealthiest man,

当一个全世界最伟大的商人，

and the greatest salesman in all the world."

最有钱的富翁，最成功的推销员。

Pathros leaned back

柏萨罗向后直了直身子，

and studied the young, dark face.

仔细打量着眼前这张年轻、黝黑的面孔。

The smell from the animals was still on his clothes

少年的衣服上隐隐可以闻到牲口的味道，

but the youth displayed little humility¹ in his manned.

但他的神态中看不到半点自轻自贱。

And what will you do with all this great wealth -and the fearsome power that will surely accompany it.

那么，你打算怎么处理这么多财富和那一起而来的权势呢?

I will do as you do.

和您一样，

My family will be provided with the finest of worldly goods

我要我的家人好好享受，

and the rest I will share with those in need.

然后我要周济穷人。

Pathros shook his head.

柏萨罗摇了摇头，

Wealth, my son, should never be your goal in life.

孩子，不要把财富当成你一生的目标。

Your words are eloquent²

你的话很动听，

but they are mere³ Words.

但那还不够，

True wealth is of the heart,

真正的富有，是精神上的，

not of the purse.

不是钱包里的。

Hafid persisted,

海菲马上问道：

"Art you not wealthy, sire?"

“您不算富有吗?”

The old man smiled at Hafid's boldness.

老人笑了，笑少年的莽撞。

"Hafid, so far as material wealth is concerned,

孩子，就物质上的富有来说，

there is only one difference between myself

我和外面的乞弓，

and the lowliest beggar outside Herod's palace.

只有一点不同，

The beggar thinks only of his next meal

乞丐想的是下一顿饭，

and I think only of the meal that will be my last.

而我想的是最后一顿饭。

No, my son, do not aspire⁴ for wealth

孩子，不要一心只想发财，

and labor⁵ not only to be rich.

不要受金钱的奴役。

Strive instead for happiness,

努力去争取快乐，

to be loved and to love,

爱与被爱，

and most important, to acquire peace of mind and serenity⁶."

最重要的，是求得心灵的宁静。

Hafid continued to persist.

海菲仍然固执己见，

"But these things are impossible without gold.

但是没有钱，您说的这些是达不到的。

Who can live in poverty with peace of mind?

谁能一文不名而心平气和?谁能腹中空空而快乐幸福？

How can one be happy with an empty stomach?

谁能腹中空空而快乐幸福？

How can one demonstrate love for one’s family

不能养家糊口，丰衣足食，

if he is unable to feed and clothe and house them?

怎能让家人感受到爱的关怀？

1 humility   

n.谦逊，谦恭

参考例句：

• Humility often gains more than pride.谦逊往往比骄傲收益更多。
• His voice was still soft and filled with specious humility.他的声音还是那么温和，甚至有点谦卑。

2 eloquent   

adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的

参考例句：

• He was so eloquent that he cut down the finest orator.他能言善辩，胜过最好的演说家。
• These ruins are an eloquent reminder of the horrors of war.这些废墟形象地提醒人们不要忘记战争的恐怖。

3 mere   

adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过

参考例句：

• That is a mere repetition of what you said before.那不过是重复了你以前讲的话。
• It's a mere waste of time waiting any longer.再等下去纯粹是浪费时间。

4 aspire   

vi.(to，after)渴望，追求，有志于

参考例句：

• Living together with you is what I aspire toward in my life.和你一起生活是我一生最大的愿望。
• I aspire to be an innovator not a follower.我迫切希望能变成个开创者而不是跟随者。

5 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。

6 serenity   

n.宁静，沉着，晴朗

参考例句：

• Her face,though sad,still evoked a feeling of serenity.她的脸色虽然悲伤，但仍使人感觉安详。
• She escaped to the comparative serenity of the kitchen.她逃到相对安静的厨房里。