第一篇:2014英国女王圣诞演讲
2014英国女王圣诞演讲:呼吁和解
当地时间2014年12月25日英国女王于通过电视发表了一年一度的圣诞演讲,致辞照例由女王亲自执笔书写。今年的主题关注“和解”,从1914年的圣诞休战、苏格兰公投到抗击埃博拉医护工作者都有提及。
In the ruins of the old Coventry Cathedral is a sculpture of a man and a woman reaching out to embrace each other.The sculptor was inspired by the story of a woman who crossed Europe on foot after the war to find her husband.在考文垂大教堂的废墟中,竖立着一座男女拥抱在一起的雕像。这座雕像的灵感来源于一位女性。二战结束后,她走遍欧洲寻找自己失去音讯的丈夫。
Casts of the same sculpture can be found in Belfast and Berlin, and it is simply called Reconciliation.同样的雕像也竖立在贝尔法斯特和柏林,这座雕像叫做“和解”。
Reconciliation is the peaceful end to conflict, and we were reminded of this in August when countries on both sides of the First World War came together to remember in peace.“和解”就是和平地结束冲突。今年八月,我们再一次回想起和解的重要。一百年前一战敌对双方的国家走到一起,共同纪念和平。
The ceramic poppies at the Tower of London drew millions, and the only possible reaction to seeing them and walking among them was silence.For every poppy a life;and a reminder of the grief of loved ones left behind.伦敦塔前种下了数十万陶瓷罂粟花。当人们看到它们,从花朵中穿行之时,唯一可能的反应就是沉默。每一朵罂粟花代表着一个生命,代表着活着的人对一战中丧生的亲人的哀思。
No one who fought in that war is still alive, but we remember their sacrifice and indeed the sacrifice of all those in the armed forces who serve and protect us today.所有当年参战的士兵都已不在人世,但是我们依然铭记他们的牺牲以及所有今天正在服役并保护我们的军人。
In 1914, many people thought the war would be over by Christmas, but sadly by then the trenches were dug and the future shape of the war in Europe was set.1914年,很多人都认为战争能够在圣诞节前结束。但不幸的是,纵横交错的战壕被挖掘出来,残酷的现代欧洲战争的雏形形成了。But, as we know, something remarkable did happen that Christmas, exactly a hundred years ago today.但是,我们知道,就在一百年前的今天发生了值得铭记的一幕:
Without any instruction or command, the shooting stopped and German and British soldiers met in No Man's Land.Photographs were taken and gifts exchanged.It was a Christmas truce.没有收到任何命令,士兵们主动停止了射击。德国和英国士兵走出战壕,在两军之间的交战地带相聚。照片拍下了他们互赠礼物的一幕。这就是1914年的圣诞休战。
Truces are not a new idea.In the ancient world a truce was declared for the duration of the Olympic Games and wars and battles were put on hold。
休战并不是一个新概念。在古代,奥林匹克举办期间就会宣布休战,暂停所有战争与争斗。
Sport has a wonderful way of bringing together people and nations, as we saw this year in Glasgow when over 70 countries took part in the Commonwealth Games.体育有着将不同人民与国家带到一起的神奇力量,就像我们今年在格拉斯哥举行的有70个国家参加英联邦运动会上所见一样。
It is no accident that they are known as the Friendly Games.As well as promoting dialogue between nations, the Commonwealth Games pioneered the inclusion of para-sports within each day's events.毫不意外的,它被称之为友谊的运动会。英联邦运动会不仅仅促进国家间的对话交流,也率先在每天的比赛中加入残疾人竞赛项目。
As with the Invictus Games that followed, the courage, determination and talent of the athletes captured our imagination as well as breaking down divisions.随着“不可征服运动会”的举办,残疾人运动员们的勇气、决心与天才抓住了我们的想象,弥合了彼此之间的分歧。
The benefits of reconciliation were clear to see when I visited Belfast in June.While my tour of the set of Game Of Thrones may have gained most attention, my visit to the Crumlin Road Gaol will remain vividly in my mind.和解的益处也体现在今年六月我对贝尔法斯特的访问上。我去《权力的游戏》剧组的探班,受到了很多关注,对克拉姆林道监狱的访问仍然历历在目。
What was once a prison during the Troubles is now a place of hope and fresh purpose;a reminder of what is possible when people reach out to one another, rather like the couple in the sculpture.当年北爱尔兰冲突期间的监狱,如今成为象征希望与新生之地,提醒我们互相关爱,就像那座雕塑中的夫妻一样。
Of course, reconciliation takes different forms.In Scotland after the referendum many felt great disappointment, while others felt great relief;and bridging these differences will take time.当然,和解也有着不同的形式。在苏格兰独立公投之后,很多人感到失望,也有很多人感到安心,而弥合这种裂痕需要的是时间。
Bringing reconciliation to war or emergency zones is an even harder task, and I have been deeply touched this year by the selflessness of aid workers and medical volunteers who have gone abroad to help victims of conflict or of diseases like Ebola, often at great personal risk.为处在战火中、或者灾难发生中的地区带来和平,是一项艰难的任务。今年我被一群人所深深打动,他们就是那些无私的医疗志愿者们。他们走出国门,帮助那些埃博拉病毒肆虐地区的灾民,他们常常冒着巨大的个人风险。
For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, whose birth we celebrate today, is an inspiration and an anchor in my life.对我来说,耶稣基督,“我们和平的君”,我们在今日庆祝他的降生,同样是对我人生的一次启示与引导。
A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing.Christ's example has taught me to seek to respect and value all people, of whatever faith or none.基督代表着和解与宽恕,他的双手传播关爱,宽容接纳,治愈众生。基督的榜样教导我,尝试去尊重所有人,不分信仰。
Sometimes it seems that reconciliation stands little chance in the face of war and discord.But, as the Christmas truce a century ago reminds us, peace and goodwill have lasting power in the hearts of men and women.尽管有些时候,和解的力量在战争与纷乱面前分外渺小,但是一百年前的圣诞休战提醒着我们,和平与友善长存于我们的心中。
On that chilly Christmas Eve in 1914 many of the German forces sang Silent Night, its haunting melody inching across the line.1914年的那个寒冷的平安夜里,很多德国士兵唱起了这首《平安夜》,这一盘亘在每个人心头的旋律穿越了整条战线。
That carol is still much-loved today, a legacy of the Christmas truce, and a reminder to us all that even in the unlikeliest of places hope can still be found.今天这首歌仍然备受人们喜爱。它是圣诞休战的遗产,提醒我们,即使在最不可能的地方,仍然有着希望。
A very happy Christmas to you all.祝所有人圣诞快乐。
抢着结账的人,并不是因为钱多,而是把友情看的比金钱重要。合作时愿意让利的人,并不是因为笨,而是知道分享。工作时愿意主动多干的人,并不是因为傻,而是懂得责任。吵架后先道歉的人,并不是因为错,而是懂得珍惜。愿意帮你的人,并不是欠你什么,而是把你当做真朋友。
第二篇:英国女王圣诞演讲2012
others are best forgotten.2009 was a difficult year for many, in particular those facing the continuing effects of the economic downturn.过去每年似乎都各具特点。一些年份让我们心满意足,一些年份则最好忘却。2009年对很多人来说都不好过,尤其是那些深受经济衰退之苦的人们。
I am sure that we have all been affected by events in Afghanistan and saddened by the casualties suffered by our forces serving there.Our thoughts go out to their relations and friends who have shown immense dignity in the face of great personal loss.我相信,我们所有人都受到阿富汗战事影响,为英军士兵伤亡感到悲伤。我们向这些士兵的家人和朋友表示慰问,他们面对巨大个人损失表现得无比高尚。conjunction with our allies.但我们应该为我们的士兵与盟友作出的积极贡献而感到骄傲。
Well over 13,000 soldiers from the United Kingdom, and across the Commonwealthare currently serving in Afghanistan.英国和包括加拿大、澳大利亚、新西兰和新加坡在内的英联邦国家眼下共有超过1.3万名士兵在阿富汗服役。
The debt of gratitude owed to these young men and women, and to their predecessors, is indeed profound.我们对这些年轻士兵以及先前在阿富汗服役过的士兵表示深深感激。under the age of 25, the organisation remains a strong and practical force for good.今年是英联邦成立60周年,今天其成员国25岁以下人口超过10亿,为它保持长久的强大和实用提供了力量源泉。
Recently I attended the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago and heard how important the Commonwealth is to young people.最近我刚刚参加了在特立尼达和多巴哥举行的英联邦政府首脑会议,听到联邦对年轻人是多么重要。New communication technologies allow them to reach out to the wider world and share their experiences and viewpoints.For many, the practical assistance and networks of the Commonwealth can give skills, lend advice and encourage enterprise.援助与网络可以提供技能,给予意见和鼓励进取。
It is inspiring to learn of some of the work being done by these young people, who bring creativity and innovation to the challenges they face.令人鼓舞的是,我了解到一些年轻人正在做着一些事情,他们面对挑战,富于创造力和创新精神。It is important to keep discussing issues that concern us all-there can by no more valuable role for our family of nations.I have been closely associated with the Commonwealth through most of its existence.对关系到我们所有人的问题保持讨论很重要,它让我们的大家庭产生更大的价值。在英联邦成立以来的大部分时间里,我都同它联系紧密。always been more important in promoting our unity than symbolism alone.我个人同各国领袖、人民密不可分。这不单是象征意义,也能促进我们的团结。
The Commonwealth is not an organisation with a mission.It is rather an opportunity for its people to work together to achieve practical solutions to problems.英联邦并非一个具某种使命的组织,而更是一个让各国人民合作、解决困难的平台。
In many aspects of our lives, whether in sport, the environment, business or culture, the Commonwealth connection remains vivid and enriching.在涉及我们生活的许多方面,不论是体育、环境、商业或文化,英联邦国家之间的联系紧密而丰富。am confident that this diverse Commonwealth of nations can strengthen the common bond that transcends politics, religion, race and economic circumstances.在很多方面这展现未来的前景。随着不断的支持和贡献,我相信英联邦国家的多元化能加强各国在政治、宗教、种族和经济环境的凝聚力。
We know that Christmas is a time for celebration and family reunions;but it is also a time to reflect on what confronts those less fortunate than ourselves, at home and throughout the world.众所周知,圣诞节是欢庆与家人团聚的时候,但我们也可以借这个时机回顾那些国内外不幸者面临的困境。Christians are taught to love their neighbours, having compassion and concern, and being ready to undertake charity and voluntary work to ease the burden of deprivation and disadvantage.基督徒被教导要爱他们的邻居,有同情心,乐于慈善和志愿工作,以减轻贫困和不利的负担。never cease to work for a better future for ourselves and for others.我们自己会面临一连串的困难和挑战,这些困难和挑战会令我们感到困惑,但我们绝不能停下脚步。而应该继续努力,为自己和他人创造更美好的未来。
I wish you all, wherever you may be, a very happy Christmas.不论你们现时身在何处,我都祝愿你们圣诞快乐。
第三篇:英国女王2013 圣诞演讲
Unit7 Things: The Throw-away Society一次性社会
“Barbie,” a twelve-inch plastic teen-ager, is the best known and best-selling doll in history.Since its introduction in 1959, the Barbie doll population of the world has grown to 12,000,000— more than the human population of Los Angeles or London or Paris.Little girls adore Barbie because she is highly realistic and eminently dress-upable.Mattel, Inc., maker of Barbie, also sells a complete wardrobe for her, including clothes for ordinary daytime wear, clothes for formal party wear, clothes for swimming and skiing.十二英寸高的塑料小人“芭比”曾是历史上最著名最畅销的洋娃娃,自从1959年问世以来,全世界的芭比娃娃的数量增长到1200,0000人—比洛杉矶,伦敦和巴黎任何一个城市的人口还要多。小女孩热衷芭比娃娃是因为他很像真的而且可以任意更换衣服,作为芭比娃娃的生产厂家,Mattel公司还出售芭比的整体衣柜,包括日常便装,正式晚装,泳装和滑雪衫。
Recently Mattel announced a new improved Barbie doll.The new version has a slimmer figure, “real” eyelashes and a twist-and turn waist that makes her more humanoid than ever.Moreover, Mattel announced that, for the first time, any young lady wishing to purchase a new Barbie would receive a trade-in allowance for her old one.旧货换新折让
最近Mattel公司推出一款更高级的芭比娃娃,这个新产品身材更苗条,有仿真睫毛,又可以扭转弯曲的腰肢,所有这些特点使其更加人性化。此外,M公司还首次宣布,任何一个购买芭比娃娃的女士都可以获得旧芭比娃娃的折价优惠。
What Mattel did not announce was that by trading in her old doll for a technologically improved modes, the little girl of today, citizen of tomorrow’s super-industrial world, would learn a fundamental lesson about the new society: that man’s relationships with things are increasingly temporary.M公司所没有宣布的是,通过折旧芭比娃娃来销售新款芭比娃娃,今天的小女孩,明天工业化社会的公民就会得出这样一个对社会的基本认识:人类和物品的关系越来越短暂。
The ocean of man-made physical objects that surrounds us is set within a larger ocean of natural objects.But increasingly, it is the technologically produced environment that matters for the individual.The texture of plastic or concrete, the iridescent glisten of an automobile under a streetlight, the staggering vision of a cityscape seen from the window of a jet— these are the intimate realities of his existence.Man-made things enter into and color his consciousness.Their number is expandingwith explosive force, both absolutely and relative to the natural environment.This will be even more true in super-industrial society than it is today.我们周围人造物品的海洋外围还有更广阔的自然物品的海洋。但是这个技术制造的环境逐渐影响着人类。塑料或混凝土结构,街灯下霓虹闪烁的汽车,从飞机窗口俯瞰到的缓慢移动的城市—这些人类的亲密伙伴。人造物品进入并影响了人类意识,其数量急剧增长,无论是就绝对而言还是相对而言。这种现象在将来的后工业化社会会更加突出。
Anti-materialists tend to deride the importance of “things.” Yet things are highly significant, not merely because of their functional utility, but also because of their psychological impact.We develop relationships with things.Things affect our sense of foreshortening of our relationships with things accelerates the pace of life.唯心主义者试图否认物品的重要性,但是物品是非常重要的,不仅因为它有实用功能,还因为其对精神的影响,我们发展和物品的关系,物品影响我们对关联和断联的意识。他们在情景结构中的作用,我们和物品关系的缩短加快了生活的节奏。
Moreover, our attitudes toward things reflect basic value judgments.Nothing could be more dramatic than the difference between the new breed of little girls who cheerfully turn in their Barbies for the new improved model and those who, like their mothers and grandmothers before them, clutch lingeringly and lovingly to the same doll until it disintegrates from sheer age.In this difference lies the contrast between past and future, between societies based on permanence, and the new, fast-forming society based on transience.此外,我们对物品的态度反映了基本的价值评判。有的小女孩兴高采烈的把她们的芭比娃娃换成新款高级的娃娃,有的小女孩象她们的母亲和祖母年少时一样,终日抱着同一个娃娃,形影不离,爱不释手,直到长大后娃娃从生活中消失,没有什么比这更具有戏剧性的对比了。这种不同在于过去和未来的对比,对于永久的社会和新的变幻无常的社会的对比。
That man-thing relationships are growing more and more temporary may be illustrated by examining the culture surrounding the little girl who trades in her doll.This child soon learns that Barbie dolls are by no means the only physical objects that pass into and out of her young life at a rapid clip.Diapers, bibs, paper napkins, Kleenex, towels, non-returnable soda bottles—all are used up quickly in her home and ruthlessly eliminated.Corn muffins come in baking tins that are thrown away after one use.Spinach is encased in plastic sacks that can be dropped into a pan of boiling water for heating, and then thrown away.TV dinners are cooked and often served on throw-away trays.Her home is a large processing machine through which objects flow, entering and leaving, at a faster and faster rate of speed.From birth on, she is inextricably embedded in a throw-away culture.观察一下旧芭比换新芭比的小女孩身后的文化就可以看出人类和物品间的关系越来越短暂,这些孩子很快会知道有很多物品以极快的速度进入并离开他们的生活,不只是芭比娃娃。纸尿裤,围裙,纸巾,手绢,非循环使用的苏打汽水瓶—所有这些在她家被迅速使用,有的被无情的丢弃。玉米松饼放进一次性的烤罐,菠菜放进塑料袋中,这种塑料袋可以一起放进沸水锅中加热然后丢弃。电视上的烹饪节目也经常使用一次性的碟子。她的家就是一个大型处理机器,通过这个机器,物品以越来越快的速度不断流动,进入又离开,从出生开始,她就被包围在一次性的文化中。
The idea of using a product once or for a brief period and then replacing it, runs counter to the grain of societies or individuals steeped in a heritage of poverty.Not long ago Uriel Rone, a market researcher for the French advertising agency Publicis, told me: “The French housewife is not used to disposable products.She likes to keep things, even old things, rather than throw-away curtain.We did a marketing study for them and found the resistance too strong.” This resistance, however, is dying all over the developed world.对一次性物品的使用让人想到了粮食问题和祖祖辈辈生活在贫困中的人,不久前,法国广告代理公司P的一位市场调查员U R 告诉我“法国的家庭主妇并不习惯于使用一次性的产品,:她们喜欢把东西留着,即使是旧物品也不会丢。我们代表公司宣传一种一次性的塑料窗帘。我们队她们作市场调查,却发现她们的抵制情绪很强。”这种抵制在其他发达国家越来越少了。
Thus a writer, Edward Maze, has pointed out that many Americans visiting Sweden in the early 1950’s were astounded by its cleanliness.“We were almost awed by the fact that there were no beer and soft drink bottles by the road sides, as, much to our shame, there were in America.But by the 1960’s lo and behold, bottles were suddenly blooming along Swedish highways„ What happened? Sweden had become a buy, use and throw-away society, following the American pattern.” In Japan today throw-away tissues are so universal that cloth handkerchiefs are regarded as old fashioned, not to say unsanitary.In England for sixpence one may buy a “Dentamatic throw-away toothbrush” which comes already coated with toothpaste for its one-time use.And even in France, disposable cigarette lighters are commonplace.Form cardboard milk containers to the rockets that power space vehicles, products created for short-term or one-time use are becoming more numerous and crucial to our way of life.因此,作家E M 指出在十二世纪五十年代初期,很多区瑞典观光的美国人都被瑞典的干净所震惊“让我们敬佩的是路边没有一个啤酒瓶和软饮料瓶,而自惭形秽的是,美国到处都是。但是到二十世纪六十年代,看看吧,各种瓶瓶罐罐凸现在瑞典的高速公路上„„怎么了?跟美国一样,瑞典已经变成一个购买,使用一次性物品的国家了。在当今的日本,一次性的纸巾非常普遍,手绢已经老土了,而且也不卫生。在英国,花七便士就可以买到已经挤好牙膏,一次性使用的牙刷。即使在法国,一次性的打火机也很普遍,从牛奶纸盒到为太空提供动力的火箭,它们对我们的生活起着越来越重要的作用。
The recent introduction of paper and quasi-paper clothing carried the trend toward disposability a step further.Fashionable boutiques and working-class clothing stores have sprouted whole departments devoted to gaily colored and imaginatively designed paper apparel.Fashion magazines display breathtakingly sumptuous gowns, coats, pajamas, even wedding dresses made of paper.The bride pictured in one of these wears a long white train of lace-like paper that, the caption writer notes, will make “great kitchen curtains” after the ceremony.刚上市的纸衣服或者类似纸的衣服将一次性文化更推进了一步。时尚饰品店和工薪阶层服装店已经陆续出现一个全新的部门,这个部门专门负责那些色彩艳丽设计特别的纸衣服。时尚杂志展示了价格惊人的纸长袍,纸外套,纸睡袍,甚至纸婚纱和礼服。图中的新娘穿着仿蕾丝纸做成的白色长袍裙,标题写道:这条裙子在婚礼结束后可以做成“不错的厨房窗帘”。
Paper clothes are particularly suitably for children, Writes one fashion expert: “Little girls will soon be able to spill ice cream, draw pictures and make cutouts on their clothes while their mothers smile benignly at their creativity.” And for adults who want to express their own creativity, there is even a “paint-yourself-dress” complete with brushes.Price: $2.00.纸衣服是最适合孩子的。一位时尚专家写道:“小孩子会乱溅冰激凌,而且他可以在纸衣服上画画,或者贴剪纸画,而母亲在一旁微笑的赞许其创造力。”对于想展示创造力的成年人,可以买一种配有刷子的“自助衣服”,价格两美元。
Price, of course, is a critical factor behind the paper explosion.Thus a department store features simple A-line dresses made of what it calls “devil-may-care cellulose fiber and nylon.” At $1.29 each, it is almost cheaper for the consumer to buy and discard a new one than to send an ordinary dress to the cleaners.Soon it will be.But more than economics is involved, for the extension of the throw-away culture has important psychological consequences.当然,价格是纸用品猛增的重要原因。因此有一家百货商店很有特色,店内全是清一色的衣服,这些衣服都是用被称作“魔鬼也会留意的纤维和尼龙”做成的。每件事1.29美元,对于消费者来说,一次性要比普通衣服送进洗衣店要便宜的多。但不仅仅是经济问题,一次性文化的蔓延还带来了不容忽视的精神影响。
***We develop a throw-away mentality to match our throw-away products.This mentality produces, among other things, a set of radically altered values with respect to property.But the spread of disposability through the society also implies decreased durations in man-thing relationships.Instead of being linked with a single object over a relatively long span of time, we are linked for brief periods with the succession of objects that supplant it.我们已经形成了一种一次性的心态,来适应一次性的产品。这种心态使得我们对于物品的价值观产生了巨大的改变。然而社会中的一次性文化的蔓延也预示着人类和物品的关系持续的时间越来越短。我们只是和一系列马上将被代替的物品保持短期的联系,而不是和某一物品保持长期的联系。
Unit8Cultivating a Hobby 培养一种业余爱好
A gifted American psychologist has said, “Worry is a spasm of the emotion;the mind catches hold of something and will not let it go.” It is useless to argue with the mind in this condition.The stronger the will is, the more futile the task is.One can only gently insinuate something else into its rightly chosen, if it is really attended by the illumination of another field of interest, gradually, and often quite swiftly, the old undue grip relaxes and the process of recuperation and repair, begins.美国一位天才心理学家曾经说过:“忧虑是一阵情感的冲动,意识一旦陷入某种状态,这种状态将很难被改变。”在这种情况下,与意识去抗争是徒劳的。意志力越强,这种抗争就越显得徒劳无益。这时,唯一的解决办法只能是悄悄的渗入某种新的东西,来分散注意力。如果这种新的东西选择恰当,而且确实能激起你对另一领域的兴趣,渐渐地、而且经常是非常迅速地,你过分紧张的情绪就会缓解,你又开始恢复到原来的状态。
The cultivation of a hobby and the forms of interest is therefore a policy of first importance to a public man.But this is not a business that can be untaken in a day or swiftly improvised by a mere command of the will.The growth of alternative mental interests is a long process.The seeds must be carefully chosen;they must fall on good ground;they must be sedulously tended, if the vivifying fruits are to be at band when needed.因此,对一个公众人物来说,培养一种业余爱好、一种新的兴趣显得尤为重要。但这不是一件一朝一日或凭一时的意气就能一蹴而就的事情。这种替代忧虑的心理兴趣培养是一个长期的过程。它的种子必须要精挑细选,然后播撒到肥沃的土壤中,要想得到籽粒饱满、需要时随手可摘的果实,还必须对他们精心呵护。
To be really happy really safe, one ought to have at least two or three hobbies, and they must all be real.It is no use starting late in life to say: “I will take an interest in this or that.” Such an attempt only aggravates the strain of mental effort.A man may acquire great knowledge of topics unconnected with his daily work, and yet hardly get any benefit or relief.It is no use doing what you like;you have got to like what you do.Broadly speaking, human beings may be divided into three classes;those who are toiled to death, those who are worried to death, and those who are bored to death.It is no use offering the manual laborer, tired out with a hard week’s sweat and effort, the chance of playing a game of football or baseball on Saturday afternoon.It is no use inviting the politician or the professional or businessman, who has been working or worrying about serious things for six days, to work or worry about trifling things at the week-end.要想真正的快乐,而且每次都能真正奏效,一个人必须有两种或三种业余爱好,而且必须是真正的业余爱好。一个人到了晚年才说:“我要培养这种或那种兴趣。”那已经没有任何意义了。这种尝试只能更加增加大脑的压力。一个人可能具有与他日常工作无关的大量的知识,但这些知识并无助于他减轻心理压力。随心所欲的做你喜欢的工作不会帮你减轻心理压力,而是你必须设法喜欢你目前所做的工作。大致来说,人可分为三类:第一类人是累死;第二类人是愁死;第三类人是烦死。体力劳动者经过一周的辛勤劳动已经筋疲力尽,再让他们在周六下午踢足球或打棒球无助于消除他们的疲劳。让那些为一些大事已经连续工作或烦恼了六天的政治家、专业人员或工商界人士来说,在周末的时候让他们为一些鸡毛蒜皮的小事烦恼费神,也不会使他们身心轻松。
As for the unfortunate people who can command everything they want, who can gratify every caprice and lay their hands on almost every object of desire — for them a new pleasure, a new excitement is only an additional satiation.In vain they rush frantically round from place to place, trying to escape from avenging boredom by mere clatter and motion.For them discipline in one form or another is the most hopeful path.对于那些不幸的人:那些可以随意发号施令;那些随心所欲,无所不能的人,新的乐趣、新的喜悦对他们来说是无所谓的事情。他们狂乱地从一个地方跑到另一个地方、想通过不断换地方的这种方式来摆脱烦恼,这是徒劳的。对他们来说,条理、规矩是他们最有希望摆脱烦恼的办法。
It may also be said that rational, industrious, useful human beings are dividing into two classes: first, those whose work is work and whose pleasure is pleasure;and secondly, those whose work and pleasure are one.Of these the former is majority.They have their compensations.The long hours in the office or the factory bring with them as their reward, not only the means of sustenance(生计), but a keen appetite for leisure even in its simplest and most modest forms.在办公室或工厂里长时间的工作,不仅带给他们维持生计的金钱,还带给他们一种渴求娱乐的强烈欲望,哪怕这种娱乐消遣是以最简单、最朴实的方式进行的。But Fortune’s favored children belong to the second class.Their life is a natural harmony.For them the working hours are never long enough.Each day is a holiday, and ordinary holidays when they come are grudged as enforced interruptions in an absorbing vocation.Yet to both classes the need of an alternative outlook, of a change of atmosphere, of a diversion of effort, is essential.Indeed, it may well be that those whose work is their pleasure are those who most need the means of banishing it at intervals from their minds.也可以说,理智、勤奋、有才能的人可以分为两类:第一类是工作与娱乐泾渭分明;第二类人是工作与娱乐合二为一。大多数人属于前者。他们有他们的报酬。长时间在办公室或工厂的辛勤劳作不仅使他们得到了维持生命的薪水,而且培养了他们追求快乐的强烈愿望,即使仅仅是那些最简单、最朴实的形式。然而命运女神所偏爱的却是第二类人。他们的生活自然、和谐。对他们来说,工作的时间永远都不够长。每一天都是假期,法定假期到来时,他们不愿休假,埋怨(认为)这是强行中断干扰了他们精彩的假期。然而,这两类人都必须改变一下他们的观点,调整一下气氛、转移一下奋斗的方向。事实上或许那些以工作为乐的人正是那些最需要通过一种兴趣或爱好使自己适时忘记自己工作的人。
第四篇:英国女王 2011圣诞演讲
The Queen’s Christmas speech in 2011
In this past year my family and I have been inspired by the courage and hope we have seen in so many ways in Britain, in the Commonwealth and around the world.We've seen that it's in hardship that we often find strength from our families;it's in adversity that new friendships are sometimes formed;and it's in a crisis that communities break down barriers and bind together to help one another.Families, friends and communities often find a source of courage rising up from within.Indeed, sadly, it seems that it is tragedy that often draws out the most and the best from the human spirit.When Prince Philip and I visited Australia this year, we saw for ourselves the effects of natural disaster in some of the areas devastated by floods, where in January so many people lost their lives and their livelihoods.We were moved by the way families and local communities held together to support each other.Prince William travelled to New Zealand and Australia in the aftermath of earthquakes, cyclones and floods and saw how communities rose up to rescue the injured, comfort the bereaved and rebuild the cities and towns devastated by nature.The Prince of Wales also saw first-hand the remarkable resilience of the human spirit after tragedy struck in a Welsh mining community, and how communities can work together to support their neighbours.This past year has also seen some memorable and historic visitsfrom our recklessness or our greed.God sent into the world a unique person-neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith.It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities.It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God's love.In the last verse of this beautiful carol, O Little Town Of Bethlehem, there's a prayer:
O Holy Child of Bethlehem, Descend to us we pray.Cast out our sin Andenter in.Be born in us today.It is my prayer that on this Christmas day we might all find room in our lives for the message of the angels and for the love of God through Christ our Lord.I wish you all a very happy Christmas.隐藏全部
第五篇:2013英国女王圣诞演讲
I once knew someone who spent a year in a plaster cast recovering from operation on his back.He read a lot, and thought a lot, and felt miserable.Later, he realized this time of forced retreat from the world had helped him to understand the world more clearly.We all need to get the balance right between action and reflection.With so many distractions, it is easy to forget to pause and take stock.我认识那么一个人,他因为背部手术而缠了一年的石膏绷带。病中,他读了很多书,也思考了很多,常常感到痛苦。我们都需要在“行动”和“反思”中找到平衡,被众多俗事所扰,我们很容易忘记停一停,想一想。不久之后他意识到 虽然病痛迫使他从世界舞台上退出却也帮助他更好的理解这个世界。(指英女王好友,前首相道格拉斯—休姆)
Be it through contemplation, prayer, or even keeping a diary, many have found the practice of quiet personal reflection surprisingly rewarding, even discovering greater spiritual depth to their lives.Reflection can take many forms.When families and friends come together at Christmas, it's often a time for happy memories and reminiscing.Our thoughts are with those we have loved who are no longer with us.We also remember those who through doing their duty cannot be at home for Christmas, such as workers in essential or emergency services.不管是沉思,祈祷,亦或是写日记,很多人都发现这种个人的静思惊人的有效,亦能够探索他们人生的心灵深处。反思有许多不同的形式。家人和朋友在圣诞节之际团聚,同时是一次对幸福和快乐的追忆。我们追忆那些已经不在人世的所爱之人,我们同样铭记那些在圣诞期间尽忠职守 无法回家的人们。像那些在重要岗位或应急工作职守的人们。
And especially at this time of year we think of the men and women serving overseas in our armed forces.We are forever grateful to all those who put themselves at risk to keep us safe.Service and duty are not just the guiding principles of yesteryear;they have an enduring value which spans the generations.此时此刻,我们应该特别要铭记那些在海外执勤的男女军人们。我们永远感谢那些为了保卫我们的安全而投身于危险之中的人们。尽职与责任并不只是过去一年里的主题,它们是英国代代相传的价值观
I myself had cause to reflect this year, at Westminster Abbey, on my own pledge of service made in that great church on Coronation Day sixty years earlier.The anniversary reminded me of the remarkable changes that have occurred since the Coronation, many of them for the better;and of the things that have remained constant, such as the importance of family, friendship and good neighbourliness.今年,在威斯敏斯特大教堂,我也经历了一次反思的机会,在这座教堂里,举办了我的加冕60周年纪念活动。这一庆典让我回想起加冕六十年里发生的重大改变,其中很多都是有正面意义的,同样也使我回想起那些不变的东西,比如家庭 友谊和与人为善的重要性。
But reflection is not just about looking back.I and many others are looking forward to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.The baton relay left London in October and is now the other side of the world, on its way across seventy nations and territories before arriving in Scotland next summer.Its journey is a reminder that the Commonwealth can offer us a fresh view of life.但反思也不只是回顾过去。我和许多人一样都还在期待着明 年在格拉斯哥的英联邦运动会。火炬接力今年从伦敦启动 现在已经到达世界的另一边,它将跨越70个国家和地区于明年夏天到达苏格兰。这趟旅程展示出英联邦的崭新面貌。
My son Charles summed this up at the recent meeting in Sri Lanka.He spoke of the Commonwealth's “family ties” that are a source of encouragement to many.Like any family there can be differences of opinion.But however strongly they're expressed they are held within the common bond of friendship and shared experiences.我的儿子査尔斯在斯里兰卡前不久举行的会议上也提到这一点。他指出英联邦国家间的“家庭的纽带”能够鼓舞人们。和任何家庭一样,英联邦中也会有各种观念分歧,但是他们仍能强烈的认识到他们被友谊和共同经历的纽带联系在一起。
Here at home my own family is a little larger this Christmas.As so many of you will know, the arrival of a baby gives everyone the chance to contemplate the future with renewed happiness and hope.For the new parents, life will never be quite the same again.As with all who are christened, George was baptized into a joyful faith of Christian duty and service.After the christening, we gathered for the traditional photograph.It was a happy occasion, bringing together four generations.就我的家庭而言,今年我们增加了一个新成员,你们很多人都知道一个孩子(乔治王子)出生了。他的出生给了每个人对美好未来的希望与期盼,对新生儿的父母来说,生活永远不会再和以前一样了。和所有经受洗礼的孩子一样,乔治在受洗礼的同时被赋予了身为基督徒的责任与义务。在洗礼结束后,我们全家一起拍摄了传统家庭合影,那是一个四代同堂的快乐时刻。
In the year ahead, I hope you will have time to pause for moments of quiet reflection.As the man in the plaster cast discovered, the results can sometimes be surprising.For Christians, as for all people of faith, reflection, meditation and prayer help us to renew ourselves in God's love, as we strive daily to become better people.The Christmas message shows us that this love is for everyone.There is no one beyond its reach.在未来的一年里,我希望大家都能够有时间停一停 静静的反思一刻,就和我那位从病中觉悟的朋友一样,反思有时能带来令人惊讶的效果。对所有基督徒,所有有信仰的人们来说,反思,沉思与祈祷能帮助我们重新认识到神的爱,认识到我们每天努力成为一个更好的人,圣诞节带给我们的讯息就是:爱是给予每个人的,无人不在其中
On the first Christmas, in the fields above Bethlehem, as they sat in the cold of night watching their resting sheep, the local shepherds must have had no shortage of time for reflection.Suddenly all this was to change.These humble shepherds were the first to hear and ponder the wondrous news of the birth of Christthe joy of which we celebrate today.在基督诞生的那一天 在伯利恒的荒原上,牧羊人坐在寒冷的夜空中,看着睡眠中的羊群,牧羊人没有空闲时间来反思,思考。突然一切都变了,这些卑微的牧人听到了那声啼哭,第一个见证了基督诞生的奇迹。那就是圣诞节的初始,我们直至今天仍然在纪念这份喜悦。
I wish you all a very happy Christmas.我祝愿所有人圣诞快乐。