“Often we allow ourselves to be upset by small things we should despise and forget. We lose many irreplaceable hours brooding over grievances that, in a year’s time, will be forgotten by us and by everybody. No, let us devote our life to worthwhile actions and feelings, to great thoughts, real affections and enduring undertakings.”
— Andre Maurois, Writer
「我们常为一些应该轻视或忘记的小事而不高兴,丧失很多个无法取代的钟头思索不悦的事,即便它在一年内就会被我们遗忘。不,让我们将生命奉献在有意义的行为及感觉、在伟大的想法、在真正的情爱及永恒的任务上。」– 安德烈‧莫洛亚 (作家)
despise (v.) 鄙视,看不起。例:He despises people who are not honest. (他看不起不老实的人。) brood (v.) 思索,担忧。例:Don’t sit at home brooding over your failure. (不要待在家里想着你的失败。) grievance (n.) 不满,不平。例:He hasn’t had a chance to air his grievance. (他还没有机会表达他的不满。) devote (v.) 奉献给。例:Bill devoted himself full-time to his business. (比尔把所有时间放在他的事业上。) affection (n.) 情爱,钟爱。例:His father never showed him much affection. (他父亲从没对他展现太多关爱。) undertaking (n.) 所要负责的重要工作、任务。例:Starting your own business can be a risky undertaking. (自己创业可能会是高风险的工作。)
安德烈‧莫洛亚 (1885-1967) 为法国作家、法兰西学院院士,是两次世界大战期间登上文坛的重要作家,著有传记、小说、散文及历史著作等。他的小说《布朗勃尔上校的沉默》被翻成英文后在英语系国家极受欢迎。