英语美文朗读 第528期 Peace，be still

Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.

 

内心的安宁是智慧的宝藏，它来自于漫长的、耐心的自我控制。内心的平静是经历成熟的表现，也是对思想活动规律的更深入的了解。

 

A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect, he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene.

一个人能否心境平和，取决于他对自己的了解程度，因为如果他想了解别人，就必须先了解自己；当他对人对己有了更深入的了解，并越来越清晰地洞察到事物内部息息相关的因果关系时，他就不会再惊讶、愤怒、焦虑或忧愁，而是以从容、镇定、平和的态度去对待一切。

 

The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him.

镇静的人知道怎样控制自己，也知道如何去适应与他人相处；反之，别人也会对他的人格魅力表示尊重，并会以他为榜样，认为他是个可靠的人。

 

The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity increase as he develops a greater self control and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanor is strongly equable.

一个人越是处变不惊，他的成就、影响力和号召力就越大。即使是一个普通商人，如果他遇事能够很好地自我控制并镇定自若，那么他会发现自己的生意蒸蒸日上；因为人们总是更愿意与一个举止从容、沉着冷静的人打交道。

 

The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shade giving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm. "Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweet tempered, balanced life?" It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm. That exquisite poise of character, which we call serenity is the last lesson of culture, the fruitage of the soul. It is precious as wisdom, more to be desired than gold — yea, than even fine gold. How insignificant mere money seeking looks in comparison with a serene life, a life that dwells in the ocean of truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the eternal calm!

坚强、冷静的人总是会赢得人们的好感和敬意；他就像烈日下一棵浓荫遮地的大树，或是暴风雨中能够遮风挡雨的巨岩。“谁不爱一颗安静的心，一个温和、平实的生命呢?”无论是狂风暴雨，还是红曰当空，无论是天翻地覆，还是命运逆转，一切都等闲视之，因为这样的人永远都是谦和、冷静、沉着。那种我们称之为泰然自若的平静性格，是修养的最后一课，也是灵魂之花的硕果。它像智慧一样宝贵，价值胜过黄金一是的，胜过足赤真金。与宁静的生活相比，追逐名利的行为多么不值一提，那是一种在真理的海洋中的生活，在惊涛骇浪之下，远离暴风雨的侵扰，永远存在于宁静之中。

 

"How many people we know who sour their lives, who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers, who destroy their poise of character, and make bad blood! It is a question whether the great majority of people do not ruin their lives and mar their happiness by lack of self control. How few people we meet in life who are well balanced, who have that exquisite poise which is characteristic of the finished character!"

“我们认识的许多人都把自己的生活搞得一片狼藉，他们的怒火破坏了所有美好的事物，同时也摧毁了自己安静的生活，并遗祸后代！现在的问题是，大多数人是否因为缺乏自我控制能力而破坏了自己的生活，损毁了原有的幸福呢？在生活中，我们很少遇到能够做到沉着冷静、拥有成熟的性格所特有的那种平静的人。”

 

Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passion, is tumultuous with ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt. Only the wise man, only he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him.

是的，人性因为无法控制的激情而躁动不安，因为放任无度的悲伤而起伏波动，因为焦虑和猜疑而备受打击。只有睿智的人，只有控制并净化了思想的人，才能在心灵的世界里呼风唤雨。

 

Tempest tossed souls, wherever ye may be, under whatsoever conditions ye may live, know this in the o cean of life the isles of blessedness are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding master; he does but sleep; wake him. Self control is strength; right thought is mastery; calmness is power. Say unto your heart, "Peace, be still!"

经历过暴风雨洗礼的人们，无论你们身在何方，无论你们处境如何，你们都要知道，在生活的海洋中，幸福的岛屿在对你微笑；照耀你理想的阳光就在前方。要牢牢握住思想之舵。在你的灵魂深处，有一个指引你方向的主宰者，他可能还在沉睡，唤醒他吧。自我控制是力量，正确的思想是优势，沉着冷静是能量。要时常对你的心灵说：“平和，安静！”