英语美文：成功

 Success means different things for different people. Some may equate¹ it with fame, some with wealth and still some with accomplishments². For me, it means fulfilling one's dreams. Whatever your dreams are, you have a goal there and then focus all your attention on it. Dreams bring you hope and happiness. In the process of struggling for it, you cry, sweat, complain or even curse, but the joy of harvesting makes you forget all the pains and troubles you have gone through. So an old proverb says that the sweetest fruit is one that has undergone the bitterest ordeal³.

　　There are several keys to success. First, your goal must be practical and practicable. If you set your goal too high, chances are that you will never attain⁴ it. Next, you have to make a plan of doing it. You can take some steps to realize it. Since the process is quite tough, you need to be diligent⁵, patient and persevering⁶. Even if you meet with some difficulties or frustrations⁷, just take them in your stride. You can always tell yourself that there is nothing insurmountable. With this will and determination, success is sure to wait for you at the end of the tunnel!

　　[参考译文]

　　成功对于不同的人来说意义不同。一些人将它等同于声望，有人将它等同于财富另一些人将它等同于成就。对我来说，成功意味着完成一个人的梦想。不管你的梦想是什么，你有一个目标并且为之倾注心力。梦想带给你希望和幸福。在为之奋斗的过程中，你流泪，流汗，抱怨甚至诅咒，但是收获的快乐会令你忘却着所有你所经历的痛苦与艰辛。所以一句老话说最甜蜜的果实是在最艰苦的奋斗后得来的。

　　这里有一些成功的秘诀。首先，你的目标必须现实可行。如果你制定的目标太高，你也许会永远无法达到。再者，又必须为之制定计划。你可以分步骤地实现他。因为过程将是艰苦的，你必须勤奋，耐心，坚持不懈。即使你遇见了困难与挫折，也要将之克服。你要总是告诉自己没有什么事不能克服的。带着这样的决心，成功必然在道路的尽头等着你。 

1 equate   

v.同等看待，使相等

参考例句：

• You can't equate passing examination and being intelligent.你不能把考试及格看成是聪明。
• You cannot equate his poems with his plays.你不可以把他的诗歌和他的剧本相提并论。

2 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 ordeal   

n.苦难经历，（尤指对品格、耐力的）严峻考验

参考例句：

• She managed to keep her sanity throughout the ordeal.在那场磨难中她始终保持神志正常。
• Being lost in the wilderness for a week was an ordeal for me.在荒野里迷路一星期对我来说真是一场磨难。

4 attain   

vt.达到，获得，完成

参考例句：

• I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
• His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。

5 diligent   

adj.勤勉的，勤奋的

参考例句：

• He is the more diligent of the two boys.他是这两个男孩中较用功的一个。
• She is diligent and keeps herself busy all the time.她真勤快，一会儿也不闲着。

6 persevering   

a.坚忍不拔的

参考例句：

• They will only triumph by persevering in their struggle against natural calamities. 他们只有坚持与自然灾害搏斗，才能取得胜利。
• Success belongs to the persevering. 胜利属于不屈不挠的人。

7 frustrations   

挫折( frustration的名词复数 )； 失败； 挫败； 失意

参考例句：

• The temptation would grow to take out our frustrations on Saigon. 由于我们遭到挫折而要同西贡算帐的引诱力会增加。
• Aspirations will be raised, but so will frustrations. 人们会产生种种憧憬，但是种种挫折也会随之而来。