On Optimism and Pessimism

 

说说乐观与悲观

 

There are two types of people in the world.

 

世上有两种人，

 

Although they have equal degrees

 

他们有些方面程度相同

 

of health and wealth and the other comforts of life,

 

健康，财富以及生活的舒适等方面，

 

one becomes happy, while the other becomes miserable.

 

然而一种人心情舒畅，而另一种人却满腹惆怅。

 

This arises from the different ways in which they consider things,

 

这是因为他们不同的方式在考虑问题分析事物，

 

persons,and events, and the resulting effects upon their minds.

 

评价他人及外界事物给他们带来的影响。

 

One is said to be optimistic

 

也就是有些人是乐观的

 

and the other pessimistic about everything around them.

 

有些人却是悲观的，对于身边的一切事物来说。

 

People who are to be happy

 

快乐的人

 

fix their attention on the conveniences of things,

 

往往把注意力集中在使人舒心的事情，

 

the pleasant parts of conversations,the well-prepared dishes and the fine weather

 

令人高兴的话语，香甜可口的饭菜和清爽宜人的天气上，

 

They enjoy all the cheerful things.

 

他们充分享受着人生的乐趣。

 

Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of contrary things.

 

而郁郁寡欢的人言行举止却截然相反，

 

Therefore,they are continually discontented with themselves.

 

因此，他们自寻烦恼，

 

By their remarks, they sour the pleasures of society offend many people,

 

怨天怨地，牢骚满腹，触怒他人。

 

and make themselves disagreeable everywhere.

 

成了不受欢迎的人。