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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Voice 1
Voice 2
And I'm Ryan Geertsma. Spotlight uses a special English method of broadcasting. It is easier for people to understand, no matter where in the world they live.
Voice 3
"A question brought me to the point of ending my life when I was fifty years old. My question was the most simple one that lies in every person...It is the question without which life is impossible: Why do I live? Why do I wish for anything, or do anything?...Is there anything in my life that will not be destroyed by my death?"
Voice 1
These are the words of the famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. Like Tolstoy, many people ask these difficult questions. And they struggle to find meaning in their life. Tolstoy spent his whole life trying to answer difficult questions like these. His search for answers influenced his writing. Today's Spotlight is on Leo Tolstoy, his faith and his writings.
Voice 2
On August 28th, 1828 Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy was born in the country of Russia. Both of his parents died while he was still a child. He and his brothers and sisters lived with other family members for the rest of their childhoods.
Voice 1
As a child, Tolstoy was a member of the Russian Orthodox3 Church*. But as a young man, he began to question that faith. Tolstoy wanted to make his own moral4 decisions; he was tired of being told what to believe. He thought people could achieve a degree of perfection5 - if they tried hard enough. So he worked very hard at being the best in everything he did. He thought that he would find meaning and truth in success.
Voice 2
In the 1850s, Leo Tolstoy wrote his first stories. He wrote about his experiences in the military6. He also told stories about when he was a child. These works7 were published and Tolstoy became a well-known writer.
Voice 1
Tolstoy was finally successful. He earned the respect he always wanted. Many wealthy and intelligent men met and talked with Tolstoy. Some of the men were writers like him. They talked a lot about faith and the meaning of life. But soon Tolstoy recognized that these men were not perfect. They were proud and they made very bad moral choices. Tolstoy had thought these rich and powerful8 men could answer his questions about faith. Now he knew they could not.
Voice 2
So in the 1860s, Tolstoy tried a different way to find meaning. He opened a school for the children of his serfs - the people who worked on his land. These workers were very poor. He wanted to help them because he thought they were more honest than the wealthy people he knew.
Voice 1
Tolstoy learned9 many things from his workers. He respected how they worked hard to provide for their families. He began to believe that marriage and family would give his life meaning. So in 1862, Leo Tolstoy married a young woman named Sonya Bers.
Voice 2
The next 15 years were the best years of Tolstoy's life. It was during this time that he wrote his most famous books - "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina." Many literature experts say that "War and Peace" is one of the greatest books ever written.
Voice 1
Both "War and Peace" and "Anna Karenina" communicate Tolstoy's beliefs about the Russian nation, church and people. They also communicate what he thought was the answer to all his questions. Tolstoy believed humans were supposed to live a simple life and take care of their families. Tolstoy thought this would satisfy10 him and bring him happiness.
Voice 2
But after writing these books, Tolstoy entered into a dark depression11. He was very sad and lonely. He had achieved everything he wanted. He had a large family, a loving wife and all the respect and money he could ever want. But he could not help wondering if any of that would matter after his death. Leo Tolstoy began wondering if believing in God would answer his questions about life. For nine years he wrote only about faith and religion.
Voice 1
These new beliefs changed the way Tolstoy thought about faith. He rejected all systems of government and religion. But he did not resist12 these systems with violence13. He wanted only to be left alone. Tolstoy tried to live with the poor and to give away all of his property14 and wealth.
Voice 2
However, many people today believe Tolstoy did not live by his own teachings15. He would often fight with his wife and children. Tolstoy's new faith made him believe it was wrong to have a lot of money and nice things. But he was still very wealthy and owned a lot of property. His wife would not let him sell anything. Some experts believe Tolstoy did not really want to sacrifice any of his comfort and wealth for his faith.
Voice 1
For the rest of his life Tolstoy's work was strongly influenced by his new beliefs. Some of the best-known stories from this time in his life are, "The Death of Ivan Ilyich," and "Hadji Murat." These works are about how everyone comes to the same end in life. Tolstoy was very afraid of his own death. But he found peace in his faith. In his book, "Confession16," he wrote about his different beliefs during his life and said,
Voice 3
"I only lived during those times when I believed in God."
Voice 2
Many people followed Tolstoy's teachings about faith. Some people saw him as a spiritual17 teacher. He felt even more pressure to live a moral and simple life. He would often take long trips to rest from his followers18 and his family. In fact, it was on one of these trips in 1910 that Leo Tolstoy became very sick and died. He was 82 years old.
Voice 1
Leo Tolstoy is still a very respected writer today. His faith and writings have influenced many people. Tolstoy's search for the meaning of life is something everyone can understand. His teachings still interest people all over the world. In his book "Confession" he encourages many people to ask the hard questions about life and faith. He says:
Voice 3
"Where there is life there is faith. Since the day Earth was created, faith made it possible for humans to live...Because faith gives a meaning to life that cannot be destroyed by suffering, poverty19 or death."
Voice 2
Tolstoy's faith saved him from his depression. He believed it gave meaning to being alive. Do you believe faith gives meaning to life? How would you answer some of Tolstoy's questions? Tell us what you think. You can email us at [email protected], or leave a comment on our website.
Voice 1
The writer of this program was Corrie Haluga. The producer was Ryan Geertsma. The voices you heard were from the United20 States and the United Kingdom. All quotes21 were adapted and voiced by Spotlight. You can find this program and others on our website at http://www.radio.english.net This .program is called "Where There Is Life." We hope you can join us again for the next Spotlight program. Goodbye!
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收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
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spotlight
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| n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目 | |
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robin
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| n.知更鸟，红襟鸟 | |
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orthodox
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| adj.正统的，传统的，惯常的 | |
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moral
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| adj.道德(上)的，有道德的；n.品行，寓意，道德 | |
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perfection
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| n.尽善尽美，无比精确 | |
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military
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| n.军队；adj.军事的，军人的，好战的 | |
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works
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| n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件 | |
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powerful
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| adj.有力的，有权力的，强大的 | |
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learned
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| adj.有学问的，博学的；learn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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satisfy
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| v.满意；满足 | |
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depression
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| n.压抑，抑制，沮丧；萧条，衰退 | |
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resist
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| vt.抵抗，反抗，抗，忍得住 | |
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violence
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| n.暴力，暴虐，暴行，猛烈，强烈，强暴 | |
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property
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| n.财产，所有物，所有权，性质，特性，（小）道具 | |
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teachings
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| n.教学( teaching的名词复数 )；教学工作；教诲；学说 | |
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confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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spiritual
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| adj.精神上的，神圣的，崇高的，高尚的，鬼的，招魂论的&n.有关教会的事 | |
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followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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poverty
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| n.贫穷， 贫困， 贫乏， 缺少 | |
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united
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| adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的 | |
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quotes
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| v.引用，援引( quote的第三人称单数 )；报价；引述；为（股票、黄金或外汇）报价 | |
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audio
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| n./adj.音频(响)(的)；声音(的)，听觉(的) | |
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catholic
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| adj.天主教的；n.天主教徒 | |
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