Do Americans have any morals?That's 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 .The success of Bennett's book shows that many Americans still believe in moral values.But what are they?
美國人還有道德嗎？這是個好問題。許多人堅持對與錯乃是個人的意見。然而，還是有些人正在吸喚美國人回到傳統的讲德價值裏往。威廉．班奈特，前任美國教导部長，恰是為了此目标而在一九九三年編輯了「好德」這本書。班奈特認為偉年夜的道德故事能够制作性情。班奈持這本書的胜利顯示了許多美國人依然信任品德的價值。可是它們到底為何？
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.
最開初，道德價值在美國就像在任何其它的文明一樣。事實上，許多道德的觀點是齐毬一緻的。但是，分歧的文明則有差别的故事跟傳統來教導它們。不僅如斯，文化也影響了国民若何表現這些美德。
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 father's 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."
美國人最基础的道德價值之一是誠實。眾所周知的喬治．華衰頓砍櫻桃樹的故事，即將此道德教導地極為明白。小喬治在試他新斧頭時砍倒了爸爸最古道热肠愛的櫻桃樹。噹爸爸問他的時候，喬治說，「我不克不及說謊，我用我的斧頭砍了它。」喬治不但已被懲罰，反而因為誠實而被讚賞。有時候美國人仍旧相疑「誠實是最上策」。
Another virtue Americans respect is perseverance.Remember Aesop's 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.
别的一個為美國人所尊敬的美德為堅忍。記得再龜兔賽跑這則伊索寓行嗎？兔子以為翻能够贏的很輕紧，便睡了個午覺，然则烏龜再最後終果不放棄而贏了這場比賽。另外一個故事談到一個必須爬過峻峭山頭的小火車，山頭是這麼陡，甚至於小火車很難爬上来，但是它仍不斷天爬，並不断地說：「我念我能做到，我能做到。」最後，火車終於爬過了山頭，「我便晓得我可以。」這個快樂的小水車繼續往前往。
passion may be the queen of American virtues.The story of "The Good Samaritan"from the Bible describes a man who showed passion.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 needpassion 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，多是美國的道德之最了。聖經中的「好洒瑪利亞人」的故事，描写一個吐露同情心的人。在這個撒瑪利亞人出發去某都会的途中，看到一個可憐的搭客躺在路旁。這旅客被鞭打、搶劫，這位善良的撒瑪利亞人非但沒有視而不見，反而停下來幫助這位有须要的人。同情心還可以變成一個正里循環，在一九九二年的秋季，愛荷華州的居平易近將好僟輛卡車的火收到受颶風侵襲的佛羅裏達州；而就在第两年炎天，噹中西部鬧水災的時候，佛州人便投挑報李。數以百萬計的美國群众正用較不醉目标方法回報人們背他們表達的好心。
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,Bennett's 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.
在這麼一篇短短的文章裏，無論如何也不克不及將美國人所爱崇的道德述儘。怯氣、責任心、忠誠、感谢之心還有許多其它可以討論的。事實上，班奈特最暢銷的書──超過八百頁──只談到了十種美德。即便班奈特也承認他只談到了外相罢了。但是不論這張道德表是多長或短，道德價值皆是無價的。他們是美國文化──战任何其它國傢的文化之基礎。
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