一篇镌刻于巴尔的摩圣保罗教堂的铭文。
Desiderata
生命之渴求
by Max Ehrmann
Go placidly amid the noise a‘nd haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
在嘈杂和慌乱中平静前行，
记住和平也许就存在于寂静之中。
不卑不亢 ，
和所有人保持良好关系。
平和清晰地说出你的真实想法，
同时也倾听他人，
尽管会平淡枯燥，
可他们也有自己的故事。
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
躲开那些招摇和咄咄逼人的人们，
他们是不羁的灵魂。
如果你将自己与他人相比，
那将是苦涩空白一片，
因为总会有比你伟大或是比你渺小之人。
只享受你自己的成就和计划吧。
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
专注于你自己的前途，但保持谦卑；
这是多变的命运旅途上的必经之路。
在商务活动中多加小心，
因这世界充满了陷阱。
不过别让它蒙蔽了你，忘记了美德所在，
许多人为了崇高的理想而奋斗，
生命中处处充满了英雄的行为。
Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
做你自己。
特别是，不要假装爱。
也不要对爱不屑一顾。
因为在贫瘠和令人失望的表面之下，
爱如野草生长绵绵不绝。
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
听取岁月的友好忠告，
向青春优雅地投降。
心灵有着防护突遭不幸的力量。
不要为你自己的阴暗想象而苦恼，
许多恐惧是源于疲劳和寂寞。
在有益的戒律之下，
善待你自己。
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
你是宇宙的孩子，
就像树木和群星。
你有权在此。
不管你是不是清楚，
宇宙总是敞开得明明白白。
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
和上帝保持和平，
不管你是否相信。
不论你多么劳心劳力，
在生命的混乱嘈杂中与你的灵魂保持和平。
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.
尽管有欺骗，苦闷，和破碎的梦，
这仍然是一个美丽的世界。
保持愉快。
为快乐而奋斗。
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