听力课堂,开放式英语学习平台！wwwTingClassnet本文档收集了英语励志美文精华中全部文章,其中有十多章文章有中英对照GrowththatStartsfromThinking在思考中成长RollAwaytheStone推开石头LifeinaViolinCase情系小提琴ALessonLearnedatMidnight午夜的一课DiscoveryinaThunderstorm雷雨中的领悟RevelationsonaBombRun飞行轰炸途中的启示(没中文)TheHiddenWorldAroundUs我们周围隐秘的世界ANewLookfromBorrowedTime第二次生命的启示ManIsLikeaFruitTree人像一棵果树PayingtheRentofService奉献是支付租金WhatArePeopleGoodFor人们行善是为了什么AboutSecretsandFallingTiles关于秘诀和落瓦HowtoGiveYourMoneyAway如何捐赠钱财ABalltoRollAround滚球FlotsamJetsamandLiberty难民与自由DreamsAretheStuffLifeIsMadeof梦想构造生活KeeptheInnocentEye保持眼睛的纯真CausesArePeople事业即人AGameofCards玩牌游戏AStraightWallIsHardtoBuild直墙难砌FreedomIsWorththeRisk为了自由冒险又何妨WhatMakesMeFeelBig什么使我胸怀宽广MyFather’SEveningStar父亲的金星WhatDoesGodSaytoMe上帝对我说了什么SpiritualHandholdsonLife生命的精神支撑TheLawoftheHeart心脏定律AMaskWasStiflingMe面具让我窒息ASortofUnselfishSelfishness一种无私的自私TheArtofBouncingBack重新振作的艺术AMorningPrayerinaLittleChurch小教堂的晨祷WeCan’tJustPlaywithSpools我们不能只玩卷轴DoYouKnowYourSpecialTalent你知道自己的特殊才能吗EscapetheDarkDestructiveForce避开罪恶的破坏力YouCannot“Fix'’aRealFaith真正的信仰不容“操纵”ISeeNoDoomDownanAlley我看见的不是死胡同TaxiDriversArePeopleToo出租司机也是人LearningtoGetOutoftheWay学会摆脱自负TheSoundestInvestmentofAll最成功的投资FixingUptheRunDownPlaces修补破损之处TheLightofaBrighterDay更光明的未来MatisseandtheMusicofDiscontent马蒂斯和永不满足的音乐InspirationfromaDrainpipe排水管的启示TheOnlyWaytoMakeaFriend交友的唯一方式IWishICouldBelieve我希望我能相信ThreeO’CatIsStillaGame没有我世界照常运转LifeGrowsintheSoilofTime生命在时间的土壤里成长ANewControlofDestiny重新把握命运TheDebtoftheArtist艺术家的责任DiogenesDidn’tNeedaLamp无需苦苦寻找诚实的人TheHiddenVitalityofHumanBeings人类潜在的活力TheGreeksHadanAnswer希腊人的回答AShiningDayWillCome光明的日子终会到来ICallThingsAsISeeThem有一说一HowtoRefillanEmptyLife如何让空虚的生活充实起来OneGirlChangedMylife一位女孩改变了我的生活FreeMindsandHeartsatWork自由思想与心灵的作用Don’tStepOutofCharacter演好自己的角色IDoaLotofOfficeFishing办公室里的垂钓者SufferingIsSelfManufactured痛苦源于自身INeverStoppedBelieving我从未放弃信仰AReporterQuotesHisSources记者自述YouHavetoWaterthePlant你得浇灌理解之花GrowingintheMiddleGround在探索中成长ILiveFourLivesataTime我的四种生活BaseballHasaReligionToo棒球运动中也有信仰IDon’tPlaytotheGrandstand我不为观众的喝彩而卖弄球技Maxie’SRecipeforHappiness马克西的幸福秘诀GivePartofYourselfAway乐于奉献TwoCommandmentsAreEnough两诫足矣PhilosophyfromaTugboat拖船的哲理WalkCleanaroundtheHill横看成岭侧成峰TheThreadofPermanence永恒之脉在思考中成长GrowthThatStartsFromThinkingItseemstomeaverydifficultthingtoputintowordsthebeliefsweholdandwhattheymakeyoudoinyourlifeIthinkIwasfortunatebecauseIgrewupinafamilywheretherewasaverydeepreligiousfeelingIdon’tthinkitwasspokenofagreatdealItwasmoreorlesstakenforgrantedthateverybodyheldcertainbeliefsandneededcertainreinforcementsoftheirownstrengthandthatthatcamethroughyourbeliefinGodandyourknowledgeofprayer我的信念是什么它在我的人生中起到了什么作用这些问题我觉得很难用言语解释清楚。我认为自己很幸运因为我出生在一个笃信宗教的家庭。家里人对宗教谈论得并不多。每个人心中或多或少都有某些信仰都希望通过某种方式获得力量而这力量就来自信奉上帝并懂得如何祈祷。ButasIgrewolderIquestionedagreatmanyofthethingsthatIknewverywellmygrandmotherwhohadbroughtmeuphadtakenforgrantedAndIthinkImighthavebeenaquitedifficultpersontolivewithifithadn’tbeenforthefactthatmyhusbandoncesaiditdidn’tdoyouanyharmtolearnthosethings,sowhynotletyourchildrenlearnthemWhentheygrowupthey’llthinkthingsoutforthemselves我是在祖母身边长大的。随着年龄的增长我对许多祖母视作理所当然的事产生了怀疑。我甚至拒绝让孩子们接触这些东西似乎成了一个不近情理的人。直到有一次我丈夫劝我这些东西你年少时也接触过对你也并无坏处。既然如此何不让孩子们也有了解它们的机会呢？他们长大以后会独立思考这些问题的。Andthatgavemeafeelingthatperhapsthat’swhatweallmustdothinkoutforourselveswhatwecouldbelieveandhowwecouldlivebyitAndsoIcametotheconclusionthatyouhadtousethislifetodeveloptheverybestthatyoucoulddevelop他的话使我感到或许我们每个人都应该这样做独立思考自己应该信仰什么以及如何在生活中坚守自己的的信仰。我认为人一生就应该尽全力做最好的自己我想这就是我的信仰。Idon’tknowwhetherIbelieveinafuturelifeIbelievethatallthatyougothroughheremusthavesomevalue,thereforetheremustbesomereasonAndtheremustbesome“goingon”HowexactlythathappensI’veneverbeenabletodecideThereisafuturethatI’msureofButhow,thatIdon’tknowAndIcametofeelthatitdidn’treallymatterverymuchbecausewhateverthefutureheldyou’dhavetofaceitwhenyoucametoit,justaswhateverlifeholdsyouhavetofaceitexactlythesamewayAndtheimportantthingwasthatyouneverletdowndoingthebestthatyouwereabletodoitmightbepoorbecauseyoumightnothaveverymuchwithinyoutogive,ortohelpotherpeoplewith,ortoliveyourlifewithButaslongasyoudidtheverybestthatyouwereabletodo,thenthatwaswhatyouwereputheretodoandthatwaswhatyouwereaccomplishingbybeinghere我不知道自己是否相信未来。我相信的是我们现在经历的一切一定有价值因此必有某些道理也必然预示着有些事情“将要发生”。但这些事情如何发生我却不能决定。一定有未来对此我深信不疑。但它会怎样降临。我不知道然而着一点我渐渐感到并不重要。因为无论未来如何我们到时候总得面对正如无论生活中发生了什么我们都必须面对一样。真正重要的是要倾尽自己的全力。也许你能力有限、贡献不多无法给予他人更多的帮助或者无法活得那么精彩但只要你能倾尽自己的全力你就能完成来到人世间的使命能体现人生的价值。AndsoIhavetriedtofollowthatoutandnottoworryaboutthefutureorwhatwasgoingtohappenIthinkIamprettymuchofafatalistYouhavetoacceptwhatevercomesandtheonlyimportantthingisthatyoumeetitwithcourageandwiththebestthatyouhavetogive这就是我一直奉行的生活原则不担心未来的事也不为下一刻发生的事操心。我想我算是一个相信宿命的人吧。无论发生什么我们都得勇敢面对关键是面对的时候我们要勇敢要倾尽自己的全力。RollAwaytheStoneIenjoylifebecauseIamendlesslyinterestedinpeopleandtheirgrowthMyinterestleadsmetowidenmyknowledgeofpeople,andthisinturncompelsmetobelieveinthecommongoodnessofmankindIbelievethatthenormalhumanheartisborngoodThatis,it’sbornsensitiveandfeeling,eagertobeapprovedandtoapprove,hungryforsimplehappinessandthechancetoliveItneitherwishestobekilled,nortokillIfthroughcircumstances,itisovercomebyevil,itneverbecomesentirelyevilThereremaininitelementsofgood,howeverrecessive,whichcontinuetoholdthepossibilityofrestorationIbelieveinhumanbeings,butmyfaithiswithoutsentimentalityIknowthatinenvironmentsofuncertainty,fear,andhunger,thehumanbeingisdwarfedandshapedwithouthisbeingawareofit,justastheplantstrugglingunderastonedoesnotknowitsownconditionOnlywhenthestoneisremovedcanitspringupfreelyintothelightButthepowertospringupisinherent,andonlydeathputsanendtoitIfeelnoneedforanyotherfaiththanmyfaithinhumanbeingsLifeConfuciusofold,Iamabsorbedinthewonderofearth,andthelifeuponit,andIcannotthinkofheavenandtheangelsIhaveenoughforthislifeIfthereisnootherlife,thanthisonehasbeenenoughtomakeitworthbeingborn,myselfahumanbeingWithsoprofoundafaithinthehumanheartanditspowertogrowtowardthelight,IfindherereasonandcauseenoughforhopeandconfidenceinthefutureofmankindThecommonsenseofpeoplewillsurelyprovetothemsomedaythatmutualsupportandcooperationareonlysensibleforthesecurityandhappinessofallSuchfaithkeepsmecontinuallyreadyandpurposefulwithenergytodowhatonepersoncantowardsshapingtheenvironmentinwhichthehumanbeingcangrowwithfreedomThisenvironment,Ibelieve,isbaseduponthenecessityforsecurityandfriendshipItakeheartinapromisingfactthattheworldcontainsfoodsuppliessufficientfortheentireearthpopulationOurknowledgeofmedicalscienceisalreadysufficienttoimprovethehealthofthewholehumanraceOurresourcesandeducation,ifadministeredonaworldscale,canlifttheintelligenceoftheraceAllthatremainsistodiscoverhowtoadministeruponaworldscale,thebenefitswhichsomeofusalreadyhaveInotherwords,toreturntomysimile,thestonemustberolledawayThistoocanbedone,asasufficientnumberofhumanbeingscometohavefaithinthemselvesandineachotherNotallwillhavesuchfaithatthesamemoment,butthereisagrowingnumberwhohavethefaithHalfacenturyago,noonehadthoughtofworldfood,worldhealth,worldeducationManyarethinkingtodayofthesethingsInthemidstofpossibleworldwar,ofwholesaledestruction,Ifindmyonlyquestionthis:arethereenoughpeoplenowwhobelieveIstheretimeenoughleftforthewisetoactItisacontestbetweenignoranceanddeath,orwisdomandlifeMyfaithinhumanitystandsfirmrecessive退行的,逆行的,劣性的Anorganismhavingarecessivetrait具隐性性状有机体Browneyesaredominantandblueeyesarerecessive棕色眼睛是显性的蓝色眼睛是隐性的。restoration恢复,归还,复位Restorationcalls,however,notforchangesinethicsalone但是复兴不仅仅只要改变伦理观念。Therestorationofdatatoapreviouslyknownordefinedstate将数据恢复到先前已知或规定的状态。dwarf(使)变矮小Thewizard'sevilcursedwarfedthepoorbeautifulprincess巫师的咒语把可怜的公主变小了。inherent内在的,固有的Inherentqualityofcharacterandtemperament内在的气质性格、脾气的内在气质。Myinterestleadsmetowidenmyknowledgeofpeople,andthisinturncompelsmetobelieveinthecommongoodnessofmankind【难句释义】这一兴趣使我不停地了解更多的人而对人的深入了解则促使我相信人之初性本善。【难句解析】本句是一般的并列句句中widenmyknowledge是意思为“扩大知识面”。Iknowthatinenvironmentsofuncertainty,fear,andhunger,thehumanbeingisdwarfedandshapedwithouthisbeingawareofit,justastheplantstrugglingunderastonedoesnotknowitsowncondition【难句释义】我知道处于饥饿、恐惧、无法预测未来的环境中人类没有意识到他们的发展遇到了很大的阻力正如石头下的植物挣扎着生长却不知道自己被石头压住了一样。【难句解析】本句主干是个宾语从句主要结构为Iknowthat其中“inenvironmentsofuncertainty,fear,andhunger”做从句的状语从句的主干为“thehumanbeingisdwarfedandshapedwithouthisbeingawareofit”而“justastheplantstrugglingunderastonedoesnotknowitsowncondition”则为比较状语。Suchfaithkeepsmecontinuallyreadyandpurposefulwithenergytodowhatonepersoncantowardsshapingtheenvironmentinwhichthehumanbeingcangrowwithfreedom【难句释义】这种信念使我精力充沛、尽我所能去营造人类能自由发展的环境且乐此不疲。【难句解析】本句的主干为Suchfaithkeepsme其中continuallyreadyandpurposefulwithenergy作keeps的表语而todowhatonepersoncantowardsshapingtheenvironment为energy的后置定语起补充说明作用另外定语从句inwhichthehumanbeingcangrowwithfreedom用于修饰environment。推开石头生活让我感到快乐因为我对人、对人类的发展有无穷无尽的兴趣。这一兴趣使我不停地了解更多的人而对人的深入了解则促使我相信人之初性本善。也就是说人生来就善解人意有同情心热望被人认同也认同他人渴望单纯的幸福和生存的机会。人不希望被人杀害也不希望去杀害被人。即使邪念因境而生人也不会完全被邪念所左右。人总有其美好的一面无论如何退化变质总有弃恶从善的可能。　　我相信人类但我的信念绝非是滥施情感。我知道处于饥饿、恐惧、无法预测未来的环境中人类没有意识到他们的发展遇到了很大的阻力正如石头下的植物挣扎着生长却不知道自己被石头压住了一样。只有推开了石头植物才能自由地、蓬勃地在阳光下生长。但是蓬勃生长的力量是植物固有的只有死亡才能夺去它们的这种力量。　　如同古代的孔夫子一样我深深地沉醉于奇妙的大地和美好的尘世生活之中不可能再去畅想什么天堂和天使。此生我活得充实。如果没有来世今世也足以值得我为它诞生不枉为一世人。　　对人心之善及其向往光明之力的坚定信念使我对人类的未来充满希望和信心。人类的常识一定在未来的某一天向他们证明互相支持与合作只会对全人类的安全和幸福有实际意义。　　这种信念使我精力充沛、尽我所能去营造人类能自由发展的环境且乐此不疲。营造这个环境我相信是以安全和友谊为必要前提的。　　我对未来充满信心：世界的食物能供养人类我们的医学知识足以改善人类的健康状况我们的教育资源若在世界范围内统一管理能提高各种族的智力我们只需去发现如何在世界范围内管理我们已经拥有的资源。换言之用我刚提到的明喻来表示石头必须推开。　　这也是能做到的。因为我们相当多的人已逐渐树立了对自己的信念彼此也相互信任。虽然并不是所有的人在同一时刻具备这种信念但具备这种信念的人数在不断增加。半个世纪以前没有人关注世界的食品问题、健康问题和教育问题。今天就有许多人想到这些了。在可能发生的世界战争中在大规模的毁灭过程中我发现我唯一的疑问是：有足够多的人树立了信仰吗？有足够的时间让智者采取行动吗？这是无知与死亡之间或是智慧与生命之间的较量。我对人类的这种信念坚定不移。　　作者简介：赛珍珠生于美国在中国生活了年之久。年获诺贝尔文学奖后回到美国作为人道主义者其成就与其小说家的成就相媲美。LifeinaViolinCase情系小提琴引言：假如我一直经商今天可能会相当富有但我不认为我的人生会很成功。我可能会放弃一切无形的、金钱绝对买不到的精神上的满足这种精神上的满足常常因为人的主要生活目的是发财致富而不可企及。InordertotellwhatIbelieve,ImustbrieflysketchsomethingofmypersonalhistoryTheturningpointofmylifewasmydecisiontogiveupapromisingbusinesscareerandstudymusicMyparents,althoughsympathetic,andsharingmyloveofmusic,disapprovedofitasaprofessionThiswasunderstandableinviewofthefamilybackgroundMygrandfatherhadtaughtmusicfornearlyfortyyearsatSpringhillCollegeinMobileand,thoughmuchbelovedandrespectedinthecommunity,earnedbarelyenoughtoprovideforhislargefamilyMyfatheroftensaiditwasonlythehardheadedthriftinessofmygrandmotherthatkeptthewolfatbayAsaconsequenceofthisexampleinthefamily,theverymentionofmusicasaprofessioncarriedwithitapictureofaprecariousexistencewithuncertainfinancialrewardsMyparentsinsisteduponcollegeinsteadofaconservatoryofmusic,andtocollegeIwent–quitehappily,asIremember,foralthoughIlovedmyviolinandspentmostofmysparetimepracticing,IhadmanyotherinterestsBeforemygraduationformColumbia,thefamilymetwithseverefinancialreversesandIfeltitmydutytoleavecollegeandtakeajobThuswasIlauncheduponabusinesscareer–whichIalwaysthinkofasthewastedyearsNowIdonotforamomentmeantodisparagebusinessMywholepointIisthatitwasnotformeIwentintoitformoney,andasidefromthesatisfactionofbeingabletohelpthefamily,moneyisallIgotoutofitItwasnotenoughIfeltthatlifewaspassingmebyFrombeingmerelydiscontentedIbecameacutelymiserableMyoneambitionwastosaveenoughtoquitandgotoEuropetostudymusicIusedtogetupatdawntopracticebeforeIleftfor“downtown”,distractingmypoormotherbyboltingahastybreakfastatthelastminuteInsteadoflunchingwithmybusinessassociates,Iwouldseekoutsomecheapcafé,orderameagermealandscribblemyharmonyexercisesIcontinuedtomakemoney,andfinally,bitbybit,accumulatedenoughtoenablemetogoabroadThefamilybeingoncemoresolvent,andmyhelpnolongernecessary,Iresignedfrommypositionand,feelinglikeamanreleasedfromjail,sailedforEuropeIstayedfouryears,workedharderthanIhadeverdreamedofworkingbeforeandenjoyedeveryminuteofit“Enjoyed”istoomildawordIwalkedonairIreallylivedIwasafreemanandIwasdoingwhatIlovedtodoandwhatIwasmeanttodoIfIhadstayedinbusiness,Imightbeacomparativelywealthymantoday,butIdonotbelieveIwouldhavemadeasuccessoflivingIwouldhavegivenupallthoseintangibles,thoseinnersatisfactions,thatmoneycanneverbuy,andthataretoooftensacrificedwhenaman’sprimarygoalisfinancialsuccessWhenIbrokeawayfrombusiness,itwasagainsttheadviceofpracticallyallmyfriendsandfamilySoconditionedaremostofustotheassociationofsuccesswithmoneythatthethoughtofgivingupagoodsalaryforanideaseemedlittleshortofinsaneIfso,allIcansayis“Gee!It’sgreattobecrazy”Moneyisawonderfulthing,butitispossibletopaytoohighapriceonitconservatoryn温室,音乐学校例句：Attheconservatory,helearnedhowtoscoreamusicalcomposition在音乐学校里他学会了怎样谱曲。promising有前途的有希望的有出息的例句：She'saPromisingPlayer她是个有前途的选手。hardheadedadj精明的实际的固执的例句：markedbypracticalhardheadedintelligence以实际的、冷静的智慧为特点。keepthewolfatbaykeepthewolffromthedoor勉强度日precariousadj不确稳,安定的,不安全的靠不住的,有问题的,根据不充足的例句：Theyleadthemostprecariousexistenceofall他们是人类生活中最不安定者。reversen相反,背面,失败例句：Afterseveralreversestheenemywasforcedtoretreat几经失败之后敌军被迫后撤。disparagev蔑视,贬损例句：Thewomanalwaysdisparagesmyachievements那个女人常贬低我的成就。intangibleadj难以明了的,无形的例句：Soundandlightareintangible声和光是触摸不到的。insaneadj疯狂的,精神错乱的例句：Thatpersonisinsane那人精神错乱。Myparents,althoughsympathetic,andsharingmyloveofmusic,disapprovedofitasaprofession【难句释义】Althoughmyparentsaresympatheticandsharingmyloveofmusic,theydisapprovedofitasaprofession【难句解析】句子的主干是“Myparentsdisapproved”,句中“althoughsympathetic,andsharingmyloveofmusic”是形容词和现在分词做状语修饰“myparents”。Myfatheroftensaiditwasonlythehardheadedthriftinessofmygrandmotherthatkeptthewolfatbay【难句释义】Myfatheroftensaidbutforthehardheadedthriftinessofmygrandmother,myfamilywillgethungry【难句解析】keptthewolfatbay意思是“勉强度日”。WhenIbrokeawayfrombusiness,itwasagainsttheadviceofpracticallyallmyfriendsandfamilySoconditionedaremostofustotheassociationofsuccesswithmoneythatthethoughtofgivingupagoodsalaryforanideaseemedlittleshortofinsane【难句释义】我脱离商界之举是与所有亲友的忠告相违的因为我们大多数人习惯把成功与金钱联系在一起为理想而放弃高薪似乎是发疯。【难句解析】句中"it"指"Ibrokeawayfrombusiness""so"指"mostofustoagoodsalaryforanideaseemedlittleshortofinsane","condition"此处做动词意思是“以为条件”。为了阐明我的信仰我必须简单介绍一下我的经历。我人生的转折点是我决定不做发迹有望的商人而专攻音乐。父母虽然与我志趣相投也像我一样热爱音乐却反对我以音乐为职业。考虑到我的家庭情况他们的态度是完全可以理解的。我祖父在莫比尔的斯普林希尔学院教授音乐达四十年之久深受学院师生的热爱和敬重他的工资却只能勉强维持一大家人的生活。父亲常说若不是祖母精明能干克勤克俭一家人非挨饿不可。所以在我们家只要一提起音乐这个职业大家就联想起收入不稳定的那种苦日子。父母坚持要我上大学不让我进音乐学院我也就上了大学。记得当时我还挺开心因为虽然我热爱小提琴大部分时间都用来练琴我还有许多其他的爱好。没等我从哥伦比亚大学毕业家里的经济情况就变得很糟我感到自己有责任退学找工作这才投身商界我始终认为那段经商岁月是虚掷光阴。我从来无意贬低经商我的意思是它不适合我。我经商只是为了挣钱除了能补贴家用给我带来一点满足以外钱是我经商得到的一切。这是不够的。我感到年华似水从我身边流走。对职业的不满使我痛苦不堪。我唯一的抱负是积攒足够的钱辞去商务到欧洲学习音乐。于是我每天黎明即起练习小提琴然后去“商业区”上班。几乎来不及囫囵吞下仓促准备的早餐弄得我可怜的妈妈惶恐不安。我不与业务合伙人共进午餐总是找个便宜的餐馆随便混上一顿信手写些和声练习曲。我不停地挣钱终于一分一分攒够了出国的钱。这时家庭经济情况也好转了不再需要我的帮助。我辞去商务感到自己像出狱的犯人一样自由便乘船去了欧洲一去就是四年。我学习比从前想象的刻苦得多但我非常快乐。“快乐”一词还不足以表达我的心情我是乐不可支飘飘欲仙。我过着真正的生活。我是个自由人做我爱做的、命中注定要做的事情。假如我一直经商今天可能会相当富有但我不认为我的人生会很成功。我可能会放弃一切无形的、金钱绝对买不到的精神上的满足这种精神上的满足常常因为人的主要生活目的是发财致富而不可企及。我脱离商界之举是与所有亲友的忠告相违的因为我们大多数人习惯把成功与金钱联系在一起为理想而放弃高薪似乎是发疯。如果真是如此我倒要说：“咳发疯可真好！”金钱是好东西但可能为了金钱我们付出的代价太昂贵。附注：亚历山大布洛奇：是佛罗里达西海岸交响乐团指挥。从事指挥生涯之前他曾涉足音乐的许多领域他赴俄国师从奥坡尔德奥尔并留下来成为一个俄国交响乐团的音乐总监或许他是唯一担任该职的美国人。他是个腼腆的人音乐是他唯一的嗜好午夜的一课ALessonLearnedatMidnightALessonLearnedatMidnightByJamesQDuPontEversinceonemidnight,innineteenhundredandnine,whenIfirstheardmymothercrying,IhavebeengropingforbeliefstohelpmethroughtheroughgoingandconfusionsoflifeMydad’svoicewaslowandtroubledashetriedtocomfortMotherAndintheiranguish,theybothforgotthenearnessofmybedroomAndso,IoverheardthemIwasonlyseventhen,andwhiletheirproblemofthattimehaslongsincebeensolvedandforgotten,thebigdiscoveryImadethatnightisstillrightwithme:lifeisnotallheartsandflowersindeedit’shardandcruelformostofusmuchofthetimeWeallhavetroubles,theyjustdifferinnature,that’sallAndthatleadsmetomyfirstbeliefIbelievethehumanraceisvery,verytoughalmostimpossibletodiscourageIfitwasn’t,thenwhydowehavesuchwordsas“laugh”and“sing”and“music”and“dance”inthelanguageofallmankindsincethebeginningofrecordedtimeThisbeliefmakesmedownrightproudtobeahumanbeingNext,IbelievethereisgoodandevilinallofusThomasManncomesclosetoexpressingwhatI’mtryingtosaytoyouwithhiscarefullywordedsentenceaboutthe“frightfullyradicalduality”betweenthebrainandthebeastinmaninallofusThisbeliefhelpsmebecausesolongasIrememberthattherearecertainforcesofevileverpresentinmeandneverforgetthatthereisalsoadivinesparkofgoodnessinme,toothenIfindthe“score”ofmybadmistakesattheendofeachdayisgreatlyreduced“Forewarnedofevil,inotherwords,ishalfthebattleagainstit”Ibelieveintryingtobecharitable,intryingtounderstandandforgivepeople,especiallyintryingtoforgiveverykeenorbrilliantpeopleAmanmaybeagenius,youknow,buthecanstilldothingsthatpracticallybreak