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ANDREW: So where are you from, John?
JOHN: I'm from Chicago.
ANDREW: Chicago? Really? So are you a...
JOHN: Wait! Don't finish your question.
ANDREW: Why not?
JOHN: I want to guess what you are going to ask me.
You are going to say: "So are you a Bulls fan?"
ANDREW: Yes, how did you know?
JOHN: Because every time I tell people I'm from Chicago,
they always ask the same question.
ANDREW: But that's because there are a lot of Bulls fans here in Taiwan.
JOHN: I can see that.
They're everywhere. Even some of my students--nine-year-old kids--they are Bulls fanatics.
ANDREW: Do you think that's bad?
JOHN: No, I think it's amusing. It is just a surprise to me. I like the Bulls too.
ANDREW: What do you think about Jordan quitting?
JOHN: Well, I know most Bulls fans are disappointed.
But as for me, I think it is an honorable decision.
ANDREW: What do you mean?
JOHN: I always think it is good to make it to the top, to do one's best.
But then, when you've done the best you can, it is good to stop there.
In English, we say: "Quit while you're ahead."
ANDREW: I'm not sure I understand.
JOHN: I will say it differently then.
You know how Jordan is one of the great basketball players of all time.
ANDREW: Yes, it is obvious.
JOHN: And if he plays next year, do you think he can do better?
I mean, can he improve?
ANDREW: No, I don't see how he can. He is already at the top.
JOHN: Well, that's what I mean.
If he continues, he can only do the same thing again, or he can start to go downhill.
And why go downhill? Why not quit when one is at the top?
ANDREW: Now I understand. You think Jordan made the right decision then.
JOHN: Sure. As we say in English: "Quit while you're ahead."
安德鲁：约翰，那你是哪里人啊？
约翰：我来自芝加哥。
安德鲁：芝加哥？真的啊，那么你是……
约翰：等等，别问下去。
安德鲁：为什么？
约翰：我想猜你要问什么。
你要问"你是公牛队球迷吗？"
安德鲁：是的，你怎么知道？
约翰：因为每次我跟人说我来自芝加哥
总是被问相同的问题。
安德鲁：但那是因为台湾有很多公牛队球迷。
约翰：看得出来。
到处都有球迷，连我一些九岁的学生也是公牛队迷。
安德鲁：你觉得不好吗？
约翰：不，我觉得很有意思，我只是很吃惊。我也喜欢公牛队。
安德鲁：你对乔丹退出球坛有何看法？
约翰：我知道大部份的球迷都很失望。
但是我认为这是光荣的决定。
安德鲁：怎么说？
约翰：我总认为人要尽力达到他的巅峰。
当你达到巅峰时，最好就此画下句点。
英语中叫"见好就收"。
安德鲁：我不太懂你的意思。
约翰：那么我换个说法。
你知道乔丹是篮坛的第一把交椅吧！
安德鲁：很显然是。
约翰：如果他继续打到明年，你认为他会打得更好吗？
我是说他能进步吗？
安德鲁：我不认为还能更好，他已经在最巅峰了。
约翰：这就对了。
如果他继续打，不是维持现状，就是开始走下坡。
那为什么要走下坡呢？为什么不在顶尖状态下隐退呢？
安德鲁：我懂了，你认为乔丹做了明智的抉择。
约翰：当然，就是英语说的"见好就收。" |