欧美人文风情第331篇:成功的定义是什么?

 In our societies, we used the word "success" a lot. And we think we know just what it means: money, status, fame, and power. 在我们的社会中，我们常常用「成功」这个词。我们自认了解它的意思：金钱、地位、名声和权力。

But take a look at the dictionary, and things start to look, thankfully, a lot more complicated, 但查查字典上的意思，谢天谢地，事情看起来开始变得复杂许多，

because success is, in truth, rather more neutral and less value-laden than we tend to assume. 因为事实上，成功比我们通常预想的更中性，且承载的价值观也更少。

It just means doing anything well, excelling at something, and that might encompass¹ a lot of different activity: 成功就只是指能做好任何事、在某方面很擅长，而那可能包含很多不同的活动：

running 100 meters, for sure, selling your app for a lot of money, okay, but also stranger, less heralded² things, 当然包括百米赛跑，卖出你的 app 然后赚了很多钱也算，但也有更奇特、鲜少被大肆宣扬的事情，

like, listening a lot, very attentively³ to a child, or being extremely kind to strangers, 象是长时间专注聆听一个孩子的心声，或对陌生人非常好，

or filling your mind with interesting ideas and associations, or knowing just when to put an arm around someone when it's too much for them. 或将你的脑袋装满有趣的点子和联想，或知道什么时候该搂搂一个快承受不住压力的人。

People who triumph here are also big success stories. 在这里成功的人也都是很棒的成功故事。

No one can be successful at everything; whatever they tell us, it's almost impossible to succeed with a career and a family, 没有人可以样样成功；不管他们怎么说，要在事业和家庭方面同时成功几乎是不可能的，

or with popularity and integrity. There are always sacrifices. 或同时兼顾名气和正直。总有某方面会牺牲。

It's great to be successful. It's even better to make sure you followed your own distinctive⁴ 成功很棒。但更棒的是，能确定自己跟随自己独特但不见得总是明显的道路，

and not necessarily always obvious path to the success that can truly fulfill⁵ you. 那条通往能够真正充分发挥自我的成功道路。

 

1 encompass   

vt.围绕，包围；包含，包括；完成

参考例句：

• The course will encompass physics,chemistry and biology.课程将包括物理、化学和生物学。
• The project will encompass rural and underdeveloped areas in China.这项工程将覆盖中国的农村和不发达地区。

2 heralded   

v.预示( herald的过去式和过去分词 )；宣布（好或重要）

参考例句：

• The singing of the birds heralded in the day. 鸟鸣报晓。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• A fanfare of trumpets heralded the arrival of the King. 嘹亮的小号声宣告了国王驾到。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 attentively   

adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神

参考例句：

• She listened attentively while I poured out my problems. 我倾吐心中的烦恼时，她一直在注意听。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• She listened attentively and set down every word he said. 她专心听着，把他说的话一字不漏地记下来。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 distinctive   

adj.特别的，有特色的，与众不同的

参考例句：

• She has a very distinctive way of walking.她走路的样子与别人很不相同。
• This bird has several distinctive features.这个鸟具有几种突出的特征。

5 fulfill   

vt.履行，实现，完成；满足，使满意

参考例句：

• If you make a promise you should fulfill it.如果你许诺了，你就要履行你的诺言。
• This company should be able to fulfill our requirements.这家公司应该能够满足我们的要求。