A good test of a person is who turns up at their funeral and with what sincerity. Try not to sit the test too early, of course.
考验一个人是否可靠的方法是看他是否参加你的葬礼,在葬礼上是否虔诚。当然不要太早就考验。
Recently, I attended a funeral and the speaker said he would like to begin by reading a list of all those whose funerals he would rather have been attending, but the list was too long. It was a sweet compliment to our friend.
最近我参加了一个葬礼,主持人说在葬礼开始前他想先读一个名单,名单上这些人的葬礼他本该去参加的,结果却没去。这个名单很长。这对我的朋友来说也算是一种高度的赞美了。
Alternatively there was Spike Milligan, the quintessential English comic who when he was asked what he would like as the epitaph on his tombstone, replied: "They should write: I told you I was ill."
还有一件事,当英国著名的喜剧演员斯派克•密歇根被问及希望在自己的墓碑上刻什么样是碑文时,他答道:他们应该写“我都说过我生病了。”
There was a colleague of mine in the British Parliament who once asked another: "Why do people take such an instant dislike to me?" and got the reply: "Because it saves time."
我在英国议会上的一个同事问另一个同事:“为什么人们这么快就不喜欢我了?”他得到的回答是:“因为这样节省时间。”
So, when others think of you, let them think not with their lips but their hearts of a good friend and a gracious acquaintance.
所以你们要做到,当别人想起你的时候,然他们站在一个好朋友和一个亲切的相识的角度上去评价你,而不是随便说说。
Above all, however, have a purpose in life. Life is not about living but about striving. When you get up, get up motivated. Live with a perpetual sense of urgency. And make at least part of that purpose about something bigger than you.
然而,最重要的是,生活要有目标。生活不仅仅是活着,而是要不断追求。每天早晨起来时都要带着一种动机。生活要时刻有紧迫感。而且在制定个人目标时,至少有一部分要超出个人能力范围。
There are great careers. There are also great causes.
有伟大的事业,也要有伟大的理想。