小妇人

为你读英语美文 · 第379期 小妇人 主播：永清 关于金钱，《小妇人》这么说：“Money is a needful and precious thing, and when well used, a noble thing, but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. 金钱是必要而珍贵的，使用得当时，钱是高尚的，但我从来不希望你认为钱是首要或者唯一的追求。” 关于工作，《小妇人》这么说：“Work is wholesome, and there is plenty for everyone; it keeps us from ennui [ɒnˈwiː] and mischief, is good for health and spirits, and gives us a sense of independence better than money or fashion. 工作是有益的，并且对于每个人来说益处很多，工作使我们远离无聊和胡闹，对身心都有好处，也给了我们一种比钱或时尚能带来的更好的独立感。" 关于爱，《小妇人》这么说：“Love is the only thing that we can carry with us when we go, and it makes the end so easy. 爱是我们去世时唯一能够带走的东西，它使死亡变得如此从容。” 关于女性，《小妇人》这么说：“Women, they have minds, and they have souls, as well as just hearts. And they’ve got ambition, and they’ve got talent, as well as beauty, and I’m so sick of people saying that love is just all a woman is fit for. 女人，她们有思想、有灵魂，也有感情；她们同样拥有志向、才华，不单单只是漂亮。我厌倦别人说，女人只懂谈情说爱。” 书中有很多经典片段，接下来我想为你读妈妈对女儿们说的关于如何选择爱情和婚姻的这段话： I want my daughters to be beautiful, accomplished, and good. To be admired, loved, and respected. To have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married, and to lead useful, pleasant lives, with as little care and sorrow to try them as God sees fit to send. 我希望我的女儿们美丽善良，多才多艺；受人爱慕，受人敬重；青春幸福，姻缘美满。愿上帝垂爱，使她们尽量无忧无虑，过一种愉快而有意义的生活。 To be loved and chosen by a good man is the best and sweetest thing which can happen to a woman, and I sincerely hope my girls may know this beautiful experience. 被一个好男人爱上并选为妻子是一个女人一生最大的幸福，我热切希望我的姑娘们可以体会到这种美丽的经历。 It is natural to think of it, right to hope and wait for it, and wise to prepare for it, so that when the happy time comes, you may feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy. 考虑这种事情是很自然的事，期望和等待也是对的，而明智之举是做好准备，这样，当幸福时刻到来时，你才会觉得自己已准备好承担责任，无愧于这种幸福。 My dear girls, I am ambitious for you, but not to have you make a dash in the world, marry rich men merely because they are rich, or have splendid houses, which are not homes because love is wanting. 我的好女儿，我对你们寄予厚望，但并不是要你们急冲乱撞——仅仅因为有钱人豪门华宅，出手阔绰，便嫁给他们，这些豪宅并不是家，因为里头没有爱情。 Money is a needful and precious thing, and when well used, a noble thing, but I never want you to think it is the first or only prize to strive for. I'd rather see you poor men's wives, if you were happy, beloved, contented, than queens on thrones, without self-respect and peace. 金钱是必要而珍贵的，使用得当时，钱是高尚的，但我从来不希望你认为钱是首要或者唯一的追求。我宁愿你们成为拥有爱情、幸福美满的穷人家的妻子，也不愿你们做没有自尊、没有安宁的皇后。 ▎主播介绍 永清：为你读英语美文创始人