Do Americans have any morals?Thats a good question.Many people insist that ideas about right and wrong are merely personal opinions.Some voices,though,are calling Americans back to traditional moral values.William J.Bennett,former U.S.Secretary of Education,edited The Book of Virtues in 1993to do just that.Bennett suggests that great moral stories can build character.The success of Bennetts book shows that many Americans still believe in moral values.But what are they?
美國(guó)人還有道德嗎?這是個(gè)好問題。很多人堅(jiān)持對(duì)與錯(cuò)乃是個(gè)人的建議。但，還是有的人在呼喚美國(guó)人回到傳統(tǒng)的道德價(jià)值里去。威廉.班奈特，前女友美國(guó)教育部長(zhǎng)，正是為了此目的而在一九九三年編輯了「美德」這本書。班奈特覺得偉大的道德故事可以建造性格。班奈持這本書的成功顯示了很多美國(guó)人仍然相信道德的價(jià)值。但它們到底為什么?
To begin with,moral values in America are like those in any culture.In fact,many aspects of morality are universal.But the stories and traditions that teach them are unique to each culture.Not only that,but culture influences how people show these virtues.
最開始，道德價(jià)值在美國(guó)就像在任何其它的文化一樣。事實(shí)上，很多道德的看法是全球一致的。但，不一樣的文化則有不一樣的故事和傳統(tǒng)來教會(huì)它們。不只這樣，文化也影響了人民怎么樣表現(xiàn)這類美德。
One of the most basic moral values for Americans is honesty.The well-known legend about George Washington and the cherry tree teaches this value clearly.Little George cut down his fathers favorite cherry tree while trying out his new hatchet.When his father asked him about it,George said,I cannot tell a lie.I did it with my hatchet.Instead of punishment,George received praise for telling the truth.Sometimes American honesty-being open and direct-can offend people.But Americans still believe that honesty is the best policy.
美國(guó)人最基本的道德價(jià)值之一是誠(chéng)實(shí)。大家都知道的喬治.華盛頓砍櫻桃樹的故事，馬上此道德教會(huì)地極為了解。小喬治在試他新斧頭時(shí)砍倒了父親最心愛的櫻桃樹。當(dāng)父親問他的時(shí)候，喬治說，「我不可以撒謊，我用我的斧頭砍了它。」喬治非但未被懲罰，反而由于誠(chéng)實(shí)而被贊賞。有時(shí)美國(guó)人仍然相信「誠(chéng)實(shí)是最上策」。
Another virtue Americans respect is perseverance.Remember Aesops fable about the turtle and the rabbit that had a race?The rabbit thought he could win easily,so he took a nap.But the turtle finally won because he did not give up.Another story tells of a little train that had to climb a steep hill.The hill was so steep that the little train had a hard time trying to get over it.But the train just kept pulling,all the while saying,I think I can,I think I can.At last,the train was over the TOP of the hill.I thought I could,I thought I could,chugged the happy little train.
另外一個(gè)為美國(guó)人所尊崇的美德為堅(jiān)忍。記得再龜兔賽跑這則伊索寓言嗎?兔子以為可以贏的非常輕松，便睡了個(gè)午覺，但烏龜再最后終因不舍棄而贏了這場(chǎng)比賽。另一個(gè)故事談到一個(gè)需要爬過陡峭山頭的小火車，山頭是這么陡，以至于小火車非常難爬上去，但它仍不斷地爬，并不停地說：「我想我能做到，我能做到?！棺詈螅疖嚱K于爬過了山頭，「我就了解我可以?！惯@個(gè)開心的小火車?yán)^續(xù)往前去。
Compassion may be the queen of American virtues.The story of The Good Samaritanfrom the Bible describes a man who showed compassion.On his way to a certain city,a Samaritan man found a poor traveler lying on the road.The traveler had been beaten and robbed.The kind Samaritan,instead of just passing by,sTOPped to help this person in need.Compassion can even turn into a positive cycle.In fall 1992,people in Iowa sent truckloads of water to help Floridians hit by a hurricane.The next summer,during the Midwest flooding,Florida returned the favor.In less dramatic ways,millions of Americans are quietly passing along the kindnesses shown to them.
同情心，可能是美國(guó)的道德之最了。圣經(jīng)中的「好撒瑪利亞人」的故事，描述一個(gè)流露同情心的人。在這個(gè)撒瑪利亞人出發(fā)去某城市的途中，看到一個(gè)可憐的旅客躺在路旁。這旅客被鞭打、打劫，這位仁慈的撒瑪利亞人非但沒視若無睹，反而停下來幫助這位有需要的人。同情心還可以變成一個(gè)正面循環(huán)，在一九九二年的秋季，愛荷華州的居民將好幾輛卡車的水送到受颶風(fēng)侵襲的佛羅里達(dá)州;而就在第二年夏季，當(dāng)中西部鬧水災(zāi)的時(shí)候，佛州人便投挑報(bào)李。數(shù)以百萬計(jì)的美國(guó)人民正用較不顯眼的方法回報(bào)大家向他們表達(dá)的善意。
In no way can this brief description cover all the moral values honored by Americans.Courage,responsibility,loyalty,gratitude and many others could be discussed.In fact,Bennetts bestseller-over 800pages-highlights just 10virtues.Even Bennett admits that he has only scratched the surface.But no matter how long or short the list,moral values are invaluable.They are the foundation of American culture-and any culture.
在這么一篇短短的文章里，無論怎么樣也不可以將美國(guó)人所尊崇的道德述盡。勇氣、責(zé)任心、忠誠(chéng)、感激之心還有很多其它可以討論的。事實(shí)上，班奈特最暢銷的書──超越八百頁(yè)──只談到了十種美德。即便班奈特也承認(rèn)他只談到了皮毛而已。但不論這張道德表是多長(zhǎng)或短，道德價(jià)值都是無價(jià)的。他們是美國(guó)文化──和任何其它國(guó)家的文化之基礎(chǔ)。