常青藤语言教学中心，长期致力于双语读物的编撰工作，在编选与翻译方面兼具专业性与权威性。

　　《每天读点好英文：爱上生命中的不完美》分为把握生命的每一时刻；人在旅途中；通往成功的第一步三部分，主要内容包括：休息日你怎么过；一座好谷仓等。 

　　一座好谷仓
　　It Was a Good Barn
　　佚名 / Anonymous
　　An old friendship had grown cold. Where once there had been closeness， there was only strain. Now pride kept me from picking up the phone.
　　Then one day I dropped in on another old friend who’s had a long career as a minister and counselor. We were seated in his study—surrounded by maybe a thousand books and fell into deep conversation about everything from small computers to the tormented life of Beethoven.
　　The subject finally turned to friendship and how perishable it seems to be these days. I mentioned my own experience as an example. “Relationships are mysteries，” my friend said， “Some endure. Others fall apart.”
　　Gazing out his window to the wooded Vermont hills， he pointed toward a neighboring farm， “Used to be a large barn over there.” Next to a red-frame house were the footings of what had been a sizable structure.
　　“It was solidly built， probably in the 1870s. But like so many of the places around here， it went down because people left for richer lands in the Midwest. No one took care of the barn. Its roof needed patching； rainwater got under the eaves and dripped down inside the posts and beams.
　　“One day a high wind came along， and the whole barn began to tremble. You could hear this creaking， first， like old sailing-ship timbers， and then a sharp series of cracks and a tremendous roaring sound. Suddenly it was a heap of scrap lumber.
　　“After the storm blew over， I went down and saw these beautiful， old oak timbers， solid as could be. I asked the fellow who owns the place what had happened. He said he figured the rainwater had settled in the pinholes， where wooden dowels held the joints together. Once those pins were rotted， there was nothing to link the giant beams together.”
　　We both gazed down the hill. Now all that was left of the barn was its cellar hole and its border of lilac shrubs.
　　My friend said he had turned the incident over and over in his mind， and finally came to recognize some parallels between building a barn and building a friendship： no matter how strong you are， how notable your attainments， you have enduring significance only in your relationship to others.
　　“To make your life a sound structure that will serve others and fulfill your own potential，” he said， “you have to remember that strength， however massive， can’t endure unless it has the interlocking support of others. Go it alone and you’ll inevitably tumble.”
　　“Relationships have to be cared for，” he added， “like the roof of a barn. Letters unwritten， thanks unsaid， confidences violated， quarrels unsettled—all this acts like rainwater  seeping  into  the  pegs ，weakening the link between the beams.”
　　My friend shook his head. “It was a good barn. And it would have taken very little to keep it in good repair. Now it will probably never be rebuilt.”
　　Later that afternoon I got ready to leave. “You wouldn’t like to borrow my phone to make a call， I don’t suppose·” he asked.
　　“Yes，” I said， “I think I would. Very much.”
　　昔日的友情逐渐淡漠，曾经的亲密无间，如今只有剑拔弩张了。现在，强烈的自尊心让我无法拿起电话。
　　后来，有一天，我去拜访另一位老朋友，他做了多年的外交官和法律顾问，他的书房里堆放着上千本书籍。我们坐在那里无话不谈，从小型计算机聊到了贝多芬历经磨难的一生。
　　最后，话题又转到友谊上，谈到现在的友情似乎很容易变质，我举例提到了自己的经历。朋友说：“关系是神秘的，有些能耐久，有些却易破裂。”
　　他凝视着窗外那郁郁葱葱的弗蒙特山丘，指着附近的一个农场说道：“那儿曾是一个大谷仓。”我看到，在一栋红木屋旁，有一个庞大建筑物的地基。
　　“它是一座坚固的建筑物，大概建于19世纪70年代。因为人们往中西部更富饶的地区迁移，它就像这儿的许多建筑物一样，慢慢地塌陷了。这个谷仓无人照管，仓顶需要维修了，雨水流到屋檐下，渗进柱子和横梁里。
　　“有一天，刮起了大风，整个谷仓开始摇晃起来，刚开始，你能听到那种吱吱的响声，就像古老的木制帆船所发出来的声音，然后是一连串刺耳的断裂声，紧接着是巨大的轰鸣声，转眼间，它就成了一堆碎裂的木头了。
　　“暴风雨过后，我下山去看，发现这些漂亮的老橡木还是那么结实。我问当时谷仓的主人是怎么回事。他说，估计是雨水渗进了木钉孔里，而正是这些木钉使它们结合在一起的。这些钉子一旦腐烂，巨大的横梁就没法连接了。”
　　我们向山下望去，昔日的谷仓如今就只剩下一个地窖口和一堆丁香灌木丛了。
　　我的朋友说，他反复琢磨这件事，终于认识到，建造谷仓和建立友谊之间有些相似之处：不论你是多么强大，不论你的成就多么辉煌，只有在与他人交往的过程中，你才有长久的价值。
　　“要创造健全的生活，就应该为他人服务，同时发挥自身的潜能。”他说，“必须记住，没有他人的支持，不论你的力量多么强大，也不可能持久。孤身挺进，势必栽跟头。”
　　“关系就像谷仓顶一样，需要精心维护。”他补充道，“不通信，不表示感谢，就会有损于彼此间的信任，使争执得不到解决。所有这些行为就像雨水渗进钉子眼里，削弱了横梁之间的连接力。”
　　朋友摇了摇头，说：“这是一座好谷仓，只要好好维护，不需要花多少精力就能保存下来。而现在，也许再也不能重建了。”
　　黄昏时分，我准备离开了。“你不想借用一下我的电话吗？”他说。
　　“是的，”我说，“我想，我非常希望。”
　　torment ['t·：ment] v. 使苦恼；拷问；烦扰；纠缠
　　She torments everyone with silly questions.
　　她用无聊的问题来烦扰大家。
　　perishable ['peri··bl] adj. 易腐坏的；会枯萎的；会死的
　　It must be accepted that wood is perishable.
　　众所周知，木材是容易腐朽的。
　　patching ['p·t·i·] n. 修补（接线）
　　Maybe you can try reinstalling the game and patching it to the latest
　　update.
　　也许你可以尝试重新安装游戏及修补它的最近更新。
　　scrap [skr·p] n. 小片；残余物；废料
　　The ship was broken up for scrap metal.
　　这艘船拆毁了当废铁用。
　　不论你是多么强大，不论你的成就多么辉煌，只有在与他人交往的过程中，你才有长久的价值。
　　要创造健全的生活，就应该为他人服务，同时发挥自身的潜能。
　　关系就像谷仓顶一样，需要精心维护。
　　Then one day I dropped in on another old friend who’s had a long career as a minister and counselor.
　　drop in：顺便走访（某人）
　　It was a heap of scrap lumber.
　　a heap of：许多；大量
　　如果今天是世界末日
　　I Will Live This Day as if It Is My Last
　　佚名 / Anonymous
　　I will live this day as if it is my last. And what shall I do with this last precious day which remains in my keeping· First， I will seal up its container of life so that not one drop spills itself upon the sand. I will waste not a moment mourning yesterday’s misfortunes， yesterday’s defeats， yesterday’s aches of the heart， for why should I throw good after bad·
　　Can sand flow upward in the hour glass· Will the sun rise where it sets and set where it rises· Can I relive the errors of yesterday and right them· Can I call back yesterday’s wounds and make them whole· Can I become younger than yesterday· Can I take back the evil that was spoken， the blows that were struck， the pain that was caused· No. Yesterday is buried forever and I will think of it no more.
　　And what then shall I do· Forgetting yesterday neither will I think of tomorrow. Why should I throw note after maybe· Can tomorrow’s sand flow through the glass before today’s· Will the sun rise twice this morning· Can I perform tomorrow’s deeds while standing in today’s path· Can I place tomorrow’s gold in today’s purse· Can tomorrow’s child be born today· Can tomorrow’s death cast its shadow backward and darken today’s joy· No！ Tomorrow lies buried with yesterday， and I will think of it no more.
　　I will live this day as if it is my last. This day is all I have and these hours are now my eternity. I greet this sunrise with cries of joy as a prisoner who is reprieved from death. I lift mine arms with I. consider all who greeted yesterday’s sunrise who are no longer with the living today. I am indeed a fortunate man and today’s hours are but a bonus， undeserved. Why have I been allowed to live this extra day when others， far better than I， have departed· Is it that they have accomplished their purpose while mine is yet to be achieved· Is this another opportunity for me to become the man I know I can be·
　　I have but one life and life is naught but a measurement of time. If I waste today I destroy the last page of my life. Therefore， each hour of this day will I cherish for it can never return. It cannot be banked today to be withdrawn on the morrow， for who can trap the wind· Each minute of this day will I grasp with both hands and fondle with love for its value is beyond price. What dying man can purchase another breath though he willingly give all his gold· What price dare I place on the hours ahead· I will make them priceless！
　　The duties of today I shall fulfil today. Today I shall fondle my children while they are young； tomorrow they will be gone， and so will I. Today I shall embrace my woman with sweet kisses； tomorrow she will be gone， and so will I. Today I shall lift up a friend in need； tomorrow he will no longer cry for help， nor will I hear his cries. Today I shall give myself in sacrifice and work； tomorrow I will have nothing to give， and there will be none to receive.
　　我要把今天当做生命中的最后一天。我的手里余存着最宝贵的最后一天，那么，我该做些什么呢？首先，为了不让一个瞬间溅落，我将会密封生命的容器。我不会浪费一秒去追悼昨天的不幸、失败和心痛。为什么要为过去的不幸抛弃现有的美好呢？
　　时光沙漏里的沙能倒流吗？太阳会在落下的地方升起，并在升起的地方落下吗？我能再次经历昨天犯错误的时刻，并纠正它们吗？我能挽回昨天的伤害，让它们不复存在吗？我能比昨天更年轻吗？我能收回说出口的恶言、挥出去的拳头、已造成的伤害吗？不，昨天已被永远埋葬，我不想再次提及。
　　那么，我应该怎么做呢？我会忘掉昨天，也不会去想明天。我为什么要在可能发生的事情上耗费精力呢？明天能比今天先来临吗？今天的太阳能升起两次吗？我能在今天做完明天的事情吗？我能把明天的钱放在今天的钱包里吗？将来的孩子能在今天出生吗？明天的死亡能给今天的欢乐蒙上阴影吗？不！我已把明天像昨天一样埋葬，不会再去想它了。
　　我会把今天当做生命中的最后一天，今天才是我的所有，现在的这些时光是我的永恒。我欣喜若狂地迎接新一天的到来，犹如被暂缓执行死刑的囚犯。我举起双手，想起那些迎接昨天的日出，今天却已不在人世的人。我确实无比幸运，今天的时光都是上帝赐予我的额外奖励。为什么我会得到这额外的一天，而那些比我更优秀的人却早已逝去呢？是不是因为他们已经达到了目的，而我尚未达到呢？是不是还有机会让我成就梦想呢？
　　我仅有一次生命，而生命只不过是时间的量度。如果我浪费了今日的时光，那我人生的最后一页就被毁灭。所以，我将会珍惜今天的分分秒秒，因为它们永不重来。今天不能留存供明天使用，谁能捕风捉影呢？我要用双手抓紧今天的每一分钟，爱抚这无价之宝。一个垂死的人，即使愿意拿出所有的金子，能买到一丝气息吗？我又怎能用金钱去衡量时间的价值呢？我要让它们成为无价之宝。
　　今天的职责，我要在今天完成。今天，我会更加爱护我稚嫩的孩子，明天他们将会离去，而我也会；今天，我要热烈地亲吻和拥抱我的妻子，明天她可能会离去，我也会；今天，我会向需要帮助的朋友伸出援助之手，明天他将不再寻求帮助，我也将听不到他的呼唤；今天，我要全身心地投身于工作，明天我将无法给予，也无人接受我的馈赠。
　　昨天已成历史，明天不可预知，我们唯一能掌控的就是今天。把握今天，就是珍惜生命，就是尊重自己。
　　reprieve [ri'pri：v] v. 暂缓处刑；暂时得救
　　He decided to reprieve the condemned prisoner.
　　他决定缓期执行这个被判罪囚犯的刑罚。
　　bonus ['b·un·s] n. 红利；奖金
　　Our manager has been fudging the issue of bonus payments for
　　months.
　　我们的经理数月来一直回避发放奖金一事。
　　morrow ['m·r·u] n. 翌日；次日
　　Let’s hope that the morrow will bring better news.
　　让我们寄希望于明天会带来更好的消息。
　　sacrifice ['s·krifais] n. 牺牲；供奉；祭品
　　Success in your job is not worth the sacrifice of your health.
　　以牺牲健康来求得工作上的成功是不值得的。
　　我不会浪费一秒去追悼昨天的不幸、失败和心痛。为什么要为过去的不幸抛弃现有的美好呢？
　　我欣喜若狂地迎接新一天的到来，犹如被暂缓执行死刑的囚犯。
　　我仅有一次生命，而生命只不过是时间的量度。
　　I will seal up its container of life so that not one drop spills itself upon the sand.
　　so that：为的是；以便
　　Can I call back yesterday’s wounds and make them whole·
　　call back：叫……回来；给……回电话；收回
　　……

把握生命的每一时刻
Seizing Every Minute in Life
·　休息日你怎么过　　佚名
What Happened to Sunday　　Anonymous
·　一座好谷仓　　佚名
It Was a Good Barn 　　Anonymous
·　如果今天是世界末日　　佚名
I Will Live This Day as if It Is My Last　　Anonymous
·　困难和机遇并存　　佚名
Problems and Opportunities　　Anonymous
·　生命的最佳时期　　佚名
The Prime Time in Life　　Anonymous
·　把握生命的每一时刻　　佚名
Seizing Every Minute in Life　　Anonymous
·　一切永远都不晚　　佚名
It’s Never Too Late　　Anonymous
·　人生十个“不”　　佚名
A Creed to Live By　　Anonymous
·　自我发现和自我强大的16步　　佚名
16 Steps to Self-discovery and Self-empowerment  Anonymous
·　有裂痕的罐子　　佚名
The Cracked Pot　　Anonymous
·　“我能做到！”　　佚名
“I Can Make It Happen！”　　Anonymous
·　让信心长起来　　佚名
Let Your Confidence Grow　　Anonymous
·　一直向前看　　佚名
Keep Going 　　Anonymous
·　生命中的每个起点　　佚名
The Beginning　　Anonymous
人在旅途中
We Are on a Journey
·　人生游戏五只球　　佚名
Good Thoughts to Keep in Mind　　Anonymous
·　生命中每一天都是新的　　阿诺德·贝内特
The Daily Miracle　　Arnold Bennett
·　人在旅途中　　亨利·凡·戴克
We Are on a Journey　　Henry Van Dyke
·　我们为学习而来　　佚名
We’re All Here to Learn　　Anonymous
·　你的恢复速度有多快　　佚名
What Is Your Recovery Rate· 　　Anonymous CHAPTER2
·　人与机会　　奥里森·马登
The Man and the Opportunity　　Orison Marden
·　万事开头难　　奥里森·马登
How Did He Begin　　Orison Marden
·　马上行动起来吧　　佚名
Act at Once　　Anonymous
·　别浪费你宝贵的时间　　佚名
Don’t Waste Precious Time　　Anonymous
·　如何高效地学习　　佚名
How to Learn with Success　　Anonymous
·　大胆迈出你的第一步　　佚名
Step Out　　Anonymous
·　做事当机立断的重要性　　乔治·洛里默
The Importance of Deciding Promptly　　George Lorimer
·　如何把握每次时机　　奥里森·马登
On Time or the Triumph of Promptness　　Orison Marden
·　其实你可以选择　　佚名
You Have a Choice　　Anonymous
·　年轻人不能守株待兔　　塞弗恩·卡利斯·苏祖基
The Young Can’t Wait　　Severn Cullis Suzuki
·　出奇制胜的魅力　　弗洛伦斯·斯高伏尔·西恩
Catch up with Your Good　　Florence Scovel Shinn
·　成功就在你面前　　斯图尔特·罗森
Success Is on the Other Side　　Stuart Rosen
·　我始终都是一帆风顺　　本杰明·富兰克林
So Far Through Life with a Considerable Share of Felicity　　Benjamin Franklin
·　时间与机遇并存　　阿尔伯特·哈伯德
Time and Chance　　Elbert Hubbard
·　“去做”　　佚名
“Get to” 　　Anonymous
·　再等一会儿　　佚名
Later 　　Anonymous
·　通往成功的道路　　安德鲁·卡内基
The Road to Success　　Andrew Carnegie
通往成功的第一步
Your First Step to Success
·　思想决定你的目标　　詹姆斯·艾伦
Thought and Purpose　　James Allen
·　懒惰者的几个级别　　亨利·沃德·比彻
There Are Many Grades of Idleness　　Henry Ward Beecher
·　忙碌的人生　　罗伯特·路易斯·史蒂文森
Extreme Busyness　　Robert Louis Stevenson
·　远见的力量　　芭芭拉·伯杰
The Power of the Vision　　Barbara Berger
·　培养自己的领导意识　　佚名
Learn to Be a Leader　　Anonymous
·　让教训不要重复出现　　佚名
A Lesson Is Repeated Until Learned　　Anonymous
·　成功人生离不开自信　　佚名
Self-confidence　　Anonymous
·　完美人生，智慧生活　　佚名
Perfection　　Anonymous
·　确立目标，提高学习的主动性　　佚名
Motivation and Goal Setting　　Anonymous
·　坚强的信念实现伟大的成功
迪丝瑞·伊罗-雷维利斯
Nothing Great Was Ever Achieved without Faith Desiree Eroy-Reveles
·　为你自己而站立　　佚名
Stand up for Yourself　　Anonymous
·　信念的无穷力量　　佚名
The Power of Belief　　Anonymous
·　提升自己的人生价值　　佚名
Multiply Our Value　　Anonymous
·　人生没有错误，只有教训　　佚名
There Are No Mistakes， Only Lessons　　Anonymous
·　打开成功之门的钥匙　　佚名
Your Key to Certain Success　　Anonymous
·　你接受挑战吗　　佚名
Do You Accept Challenges　　Anonymous
·　让你的大脑更聪明　　佚名
Exercise Your Head　　Anonymous
·　关于铅笔的一则寓言　　佚名
A Parable of the Pencil　　Anonymous
·　我在森林遭遇蝴蝶袭击　　佚名
Attacked by a Butterfly　　Anonymous
·　你心情不好吗　　佚名
The Blue Day　　Anonymous
·　生命是一首交响乐　　佚名
The Symphony Is a Way of Life　　Anonymous
·　贝多芬和《第九交响曲》　　佚名
Beethoven and His Symphony　　Anonymous
·　暴风雨中翱翔的雄鹰　　佚名
Eagles in a Storm　　Anonymous
·　人生中最大的挑战　　佚名
Big Challenges　　Anonymous