英语听力—环球英语 1365 Sickness and Power - Hubris

 　　Voice 1

 

　　Hello and welcome to Spotlight¹. I'm Steve Myersco.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　And I'm Ruby² Jones. This programme uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　‘Pride comes before a fall!'

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　This is a popular saying in the English language. In today's programme, we look at pride in leaders. Could being extremely proud be a form of mental disorder³? We begin today's programme with a story of a powerful leader in ancient Judah. It comes from the Bible⁴. Marina Santee tells us more:

 

　　Voice 3

 

　　Uzziah ruled the land of Judah - part of modern day Israel and the West Bank. He became king at a young age. And he led his people for fifty-two [52] years! Uzziah was a successful king. He followed God's laws and tried to honour God in all that he did. God blessed Uzziah! He owned many sheep and cows. And he owned many fields full of wonderful crops! Uzziah became very powerful. He defeated enemies who were attacking his kingdom. He built a number of strong, defensive⁵ buildings. These protected his capital city, Jerusalem. Uzziah became stronger and stronger. Soon, he was famous all over the world.

 

　　But Uzziah became very proud of his power. He forgot that it was God who had helped him to become an effective king. Uzziah began to believe that he had the right to do anything - he was the king! One day, Uzziah went to the temple of God. There were priests⁶ who worked in the temple. At that time God's law permitted only these priests to perform religious acts in the temple. One of these acts was to burn incense⁷ - a sweet-smelling substance. The smoke rose in the air as the priests offered their prayers to God. However, Uzziah took some incense and started to burn it. Some brave priests tried to stop him! They said, "O King, this is not right! You are not permitted to burn incense to the Lord⁸. Only the priests can do this. You have disobeyed God!" Uzziah became very angry at these words. But suddenly, a terrible skin disease⁹ appeared on Uzziah's face. The priests looked at the king in fear. They believed that this disease was from God. Uzziah also became afraid. He understood that he had done a great wrong. Uzziah's pride had made him break God's law. So he hurried out of the temple.

 

　　Uzziah suffered from that skin disease for the rest of his life! He could no longer live in the king's palace or go to the temple. So his son became king in his place. Uzziah's pride had led to his ruin!

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Uzziah permitted his position and power to influence his behaviour in a negative way. One medical doctor connects this kind of behaviour in leaders to a possible mental disorder, called hubris¹⁰.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　You may remember Doctor David Owen from an earlier Spotlight programme. David Owen is a medical doctor. He is also a member of the British government. The programme discussed a book written by Doctor Owen. The book is called "In Sickness and In Power." In it, Doctor Owen examined the effects of bad health on world leaders. However, Doctor Owen also talked about the Hubris Syndrome¹¹. This is a mental state that may affect leaders in government. A leader with hubris is extremely proud of his achievements. He believes that his success is a result of his own skill. And it is almost impossible to shake his self-belief. This kind of pride may well lead to him making a big mistake - just like Uzziah!

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Doctors do not yet consider Hubris Syndrome to be a real mental disorder. However, Doctor Owen's personal experience in politics made him believe that it should be. He worked with many international leaders. He observed their behaviour close up. And he noted¹² how power could change people's characters and make them behave strangely. For example, refusing to listen to their advisers¹³ - or starting wars that were impossible to win. Doctor Owen observed enough evidence of hubris to make him believe that it is a disorder.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　Doctor Owen believes that three things can lead to hubris in a leader. First of all, great success in achieving and keeping power. Secondly¹⁴, a political environment where the leader is free to make decisions on his own. And lastly, the length of time a leader stays in power.

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　Doctor Owen gives examples of leaders showing hubris. One of them is Adolf Hitler. Hitler is probably one of the most well-known leaders of the last one hundred years. He governed Germany during the Second World War. Above all, he wanted Germany to become a world power. To do this, he invaded¹⁵ a number of European countries. He was responsible for the death of millions of people. But many people supported Hitler and his goals. He seemed like a god to them. And Hitler strongly believed in himself and his powers. He thought he could defeat anybody who crossed his path. However, history tells us that Hitler did not achieve his goal. The Allied¹⁶ forces attacked Hitler's armies and defeated them. Germany was in ruins. Hitler had lost. And so he shot himself. Doctor Owen believes that hubris led to his ruin, and to the ruin of his country.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　So, how can leaders make sure they do not become victims of hubris? Doctor Owen suggests some ideas:

 

　　Voice 4

 

　　"These are the leaders who are most likely to avoid hubris syndrome. The people who are careful to avoid being proud when in power. They try to live their normal way of life as far as possible. They listen to the people close to them ... They do not take advantage of their power. These leaders try to ask other people for advice - even if that process may not change their opinions. Above all, in a democracy¹⁷, they should respect the system of government - and not try to work in a different way from it."

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　‘Pride comes before a fall'! This is a good way to describe the dangers of hubris. It would be a good idea for any leader to remember this - if he - or she - wants to rule wisely and well.

 

　　Voice 1

 

　　The writer and producer of this programme was Ruby Jones. The voices you heard were from the United Kingdom. All quotes were adapted and voiced by Spotlight. To hear more Spotlight programmes, visit our website: http://www.Radio.English.net This .programme is called "Sickness and Power - Hubris".

 

　　Voice 2

 

　　So is Doctor Owen right? Is pride a big danger for a wise leader? Write to us at [email protected]. Thank you for listening today. 

1 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

2 ruby   

n.红宝石，红宝石色

参考例句：

• She is wearing a small ruby earring.她戴着一枚红宝石小耳环。
• On the handle of his sword sat the biggest ruby in the world.他的剑柄上镶有一颗世上最大的红宝石。

3 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

4 bible   

n.《圣经》；得到权威支持的典籍

参考例句：

• According to the Bible we are all the seed of Adam.根据《圣经》所说的，我们都是亚当的后裔。
• This dictionary should be your Bible when studying English.学习英语时，这本字典应是你的主要参考书。

5 defensive   

adj.防御的；防卫的；防守的

参考例句：

• Their questions about the money put her on the defensive.他们问到钱的问题，使她警觉起来。
• The Government hastily organized defensive measures against the raids.政府急忙布置了防卫措施抵御空袭。

6 priests   

n.（基督教和罗马天主教的）神父( priest的名词复数 )；牧师；（非基督教会的）教士；祭司

参考例句：

• the ordination of women priests 女司祭的授职礼
• The clergy remain divided on the issue of women priests. 在女性教士的问题上，牧师们意见不一。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 incense   

v.激怒；n.香，焚香时的烟，香气

参考例句：

• This proposal will incense conservation campaigners.这项提议会激怒环保人士。
• In summer,they usually burn some coil incense to keep away the mosquitoes.夏天他们通常点香驱蚊。

8 lord   

n.上帝，主；主人，长官；君主，贵族

参考例句：

• I know the Lord will look after him.我知道上帝会眷顾他的。
• How good of the Lord not to level it beyond repair!上帝多么仁慈啊，竟没有让这所房子损毁得不可收拾！

9 disease   

n.疾病，弊端

参考例句：

• The doctors are trying to stamp out the disease.医生正在尽力消灭这种疾病。
• He fought against the disease for a long time.他同疾病做了长时间的斗争。

10 hubris   

n.傲慢，骄傲

参考例句：

• There is no safety in unlimited technological hubris.在技术方面自以为是会很危险。
• The very hubris of French claims alarmed the other powers.法国贪婪的胃口使其他大国惊恐不安。

11 syndrome   

n.综合病症；并存特性

参考例句：

• The Institute says that an unidentified virus is to blame for the syndrome. 该研究所表示,引起这种综合症的是一种尚未确认的病毒。
• Results indicated that 11 fetuses had Down syndrome. 结果表明有11个胎儿患有唐氏综合征。

12 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

13 advisers   

顾问，劝告者( adviser的名词复数 )； （指导大学新生学科问题等的）指导教授

参考例句：

• a member of the President's favoured circle of advisers 总统宠爱的顾问班子中的一员
• She withdrew to confer with her advisers before announcing a decision. 她先去请教顾问然后再宣布决定。

14 secondly   

adv.第二，其次

参考例句：

• Secondly,use your own head and present your point of view.第二，动脑筋提出自己的见解。
• Secondly it is necessary to define the applied load.其次，需要确定所作用的载荷。

15 invaded   

v.侵入，侵略( invade的过去式和过去分词 )；涌入；侵袭；侵犯

参考例句：

• Troops invaded on August 9th that year. 军队是在那年的8月9日入侵的。
• The diseased tissue can be easily invaded by these microorganisms. 有病的组织容易被微生物侵袭。 来自《简明英汉词典》

16 allied   

adj.协约国的；同盟国的

参考例句：

• Britain was allied with the United States many times in history.历史上英国曾多次与美国结盟。
• Allied forces sustained heavy losses in the first few weeks of the campaign.同盟国在最初几周内遭受了巨大的损失。

17 democracy   

n.民主政治，民主制度；民主精神，民主作风

参考例句：

• Democracy is based on good will and mutual understanding.民主建立在善意和相互理解的基础上。
• Did democracy have its beginnings in Athens? 民主制度是创始于雅典吗？