英语名篇诵读 两类人

Two Types of People

两类人

There are two types of people in the world. Although they have equal degree of health and wealth and other comforts of life, one becomes happy, the other becomes unhappy. This arises from the different ways in which they consider things, persons, events and the resulting effects upon their minds.

People who are to be happy fix their attention on the convenience of things. The pleasant parts of conversation, the well prepared dishes, the goodness of the wine, the fine weather. They enjoy all the cheerful things. Those who are to be unhappy think and speak only of the opposite things. Therefore, they are continually dissatisfied. By their remarks, they sour the pleasure of society, offend many people, and make themselves disagreeable everywhere. If this turn of mind was founded in nature, such unhappy persons would be the more to be pitied. The intention of criticizing and being disliked is perhaps taken up by imitation¹. It grows into a habit, unknown to its possessors . The habit may be strong, but it may be cured when those who have it realize its bad effects on their interests and tastes. I hope this little warning may be of service to them, and help them change this habit.

Although in fact it is chiefly an act of the imagination, it has serious results in life since it brings on deep sorrow and bad luck. Those people offend many others; nobody loves them, and no one treats them with more than the most common politeness and respect. This frequently puts them in bad temper and draws them into arguments. If they aim at getting some advantages in social position or fortune, nobody wishes them success. Nor will anyone start a step or speak a word to favor their hopes. If they bring on themselves public objections , no one will defend or excuse them, and many will join to criticize their wrongdoings. They should change this bad habit and be pleased with what is pleasing, without worrying needlessly² about themselves. If they do not, it will be good for others to avoid any contact with them. Otherwise, it can be disagreeable and sometimes very inconvenient³, especially when one becomes mixed up in their quarrels.

世界上有两类人。虽然他们有同等的健康、财富和其他生活享受，但一类人快乐，另一类人不快乐。这源于他们看待事物、人、事件以及对其心灵影响的方式各有不同。

快乐的人把注意力集中在事物的合意上。谈话中愉快的部分，美味可口的饭菜，香醇的酒，晴朗的天气。他们享受所有令人愉快的东西。不快乐的人想的和说的尽是相反的事物。所以，他们老是心中不满。他们说的话使人感到不愉快，得罪许多人，使自己到处讨人厌。如果这种禀性是先天形成的，那么这种不快乐的人就更值得同情。非难找碴和遭人厌恶的意向也许是模仿习得的。它渐成一种习惯，而有此习惯的却不自知。这种习惯会很顽固，但是当人们意识到会对他们的兴趣和爱好产生不良影响时，这种习惯是可以改掉的。我希望这个小小的提议会对他们有用，帮助他们改变这种习惯。

虽然事实上这多半是一种想象的行为，但它在生活中有严重后果，因为它带来深深的痛苦和厄运。那些人冒犯、得罪许多人；没有人喜欢他们，没有人以礼相待或尊重他们。

这常常使他们脾气恶劣，陷于争吵之中。如果他们想要在社会地位或财富上获得一些好处，无人希望他们成功。也没有人会出面相助或说句对他们有益处的话。如果他们招致公众的反对，无人会为他们辩解或原谅他们，而且对于他们的恶行，会群起而攻之。他们应该改变这种坏习惯，当快乐则快乐，而不要没完没了地为自己担惊受怕。如果他们改变不了，最好避免与他们接触。否则，会很不快活，有时候会很不方便，尤其是当一个人卷入到和他们的争吵中时。

1 imitation   

n.模仿；仿制，仿制品；赝品

参考例句：

• It's not real leather;it's only an imitation.那不是真皮，只不过是仿制品。
• Young children learn how to speak by imitation.儿童通过模仿学说话。

2 needlessly   

adv.不需要地，不必要地

参考例句：

• Thousands of children in the world today suffer needlessly. 当今世界有成千上万的儿童遭受着不必要的痛苦。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Yet they were built on stilts, quite needlessly. 半山上也用吊脚楼形式，这形式是必须的吗？ 来自汉英文学 - 散文英译

3 inconvenient   

adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的

参考例句：

• You have come at a very inconvenient time.你来得最不适时。
• Will it be inconvenient for him to attend that meeting?他参加那次会议会不方便吗？