專八人文知識：美國人眼中的道德觀

Americans have any morals?That's a good question.Manypeople insist that ideas about right and wrong are merelypersonal opinions.Some voices,though,are calling Americansback to traditional moral values.William J.Bennett,formerU.S.Secretary of Education,edited The Book of Virtues in 1993todo just that.Bennett suggests that great moral stories can buildcharacter.The success of Bennett's book shows that manyAmericans 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。但是，還是有些人在呼喚美國人回到傳統(tǒng)的道德價值里去。威廉.班奈特，前任美國教育部長，正是為了此目的而在一九九三年編輯了「美德」這本書。班奈特認為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許多美國人仍然相信道德的價值。但是它們到底為何?

To begin with,moral values in America are like those in any culture.In fact,many aspects ofmorality are universal.But the stories and traditions that teach them are unique to eachculture.Not only that,but culture influences how people show these virtues.

最開始，道德價值在美國就像在任何其它的文化一樣。事實上，許多道德的觀點是全球一致的。但是，不同的文化則有不同的故事和傳統(tǒng)來教導它們。不僅如此，文化也影響了人民如何表現這些美德。

One of the most basic moral values for Americans is honesty.The well-known legend about GeorgeWashington and the cherry tree teaches this value clearly.Little George cut down his father'sfavorite cherry tree while trying out his new hatchet.When his father asked him about it,Georgesaid,"I cannot tell a lie.I did it with my hatchet."Instead of punishment,George received praise fortelling the truth.Sometimes American honesty-being open and direct-can offend people.ButAmericans still believe that "honesty is the best policy."

美國人最基本的道德價值之一是誠實。眾所周知的喬治.華盛頓砍櫻桃樹的故事，即將此道德教導地極為清楚。小喬治在試他新斧頭時砍倒了爸爸最心愛的櫻桃樹。當爸爸問他的時候，喬治說，「我不能說謊，我用我的斧頭砍了它?！箚讨畏堑幢粦土P，反而因為誠實而被贊賞。有時候美國人仍然相信「誠實是最上策」。

Another virtue Americans respect is perseverance.Remember Aesop's fable about the turtle andthe rabbit that had a race?The rabbit thought he could win easily,so he took a nap.But the turtlefinally won because he did not give up.Another story tells of a little train that had to climb a steephill.The hill was so steep that the little train had a hard time trying to get over it.But the train justkept pulling,all the while saying,"I think I can,I think I can."At last,the train was over the top of thehill."I thought I could,I thought I could,"chugged the happy little train.

另外一個為美國人所尊崇的美德為堅忍。記得再龜兔賽跑這則伊索寓言嗎?兔子以為他可以輕松取勝，于是他睡了一覺。但是龜最后贏了因為他沒有放棄。另一個故事講述了一個小火車必須攀爬陡峭的山。山如此陡峭以至于火車必須盡全力去翻越。當火車在攀爬時，它一直說“我認為我能行，我認為我能做到。”最終，火車爬上山頂。小火車歡快地喊道“我原來就認為我能行，我原來就認為我能行。”

Compassion may be the queen of American virtues.The story of "The Good Samaritan"from theBible describes a man who showed compassion.On his way to a certain city,a Samaritan man founda poor traveler lying on the road.The traveler had been beaten and robbed.The kindSamaritan,instead of just passing by,stopped to help this person in need.Compassion can eventurn into a positive cycle.In fall 1992,people in Iowa sent truckloads of water to help Floridians hitby a hurricane.The next summer,during the Midwest flooding,Florida returned the favor.In lessdramatic ways,millions of Americans are quietly passing along the kindnesses shown to them.

同情心，可能是美國的道德之最了。圣經中的「好撒瑪利亞人」的故事，描述一個流露同情心的人。在這個撒瑪利亞人出發(fā)去某城市的途中，看到一個可憐的旅客躺在路旁。這旅客被鞭打、搶劫，這位仁慈的撒瑪利亞人非但沒有視而不見，反而停下來幫助這位有需要的人。同情心還可以變成一個正面循環(huán)，在一九九二年的秋天，愛荷華州的居民將好幾輛卡車的水送到受颶風侵襲的佛羅里達州;而就在第二年夏天，當中西部鬧水災的時候，佛州人便投挑報李。數以百萬計的美國人民正用較不醒目的方式回報人們向他們表達的善意。

In no way can this brief description cover all the moral values honored byAmericans.Courage,responsibility,loyalty,gratitude and many others could be discussed.Infact,Bennett's bestseller-over 800pages-highlights just 10virtues.Even Bennett admits that he hasonly scratched the surface.But no matter how long or short the list,moral values areinvaluable.They are the foundation of American culture-and any culture.

在這么一篇短短的文章里，無論如何也不能將美國人所尊崇的道德述盡。勇氣、責任心、忠誠、感激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。即使班奈特也承認他只談到了皮毛而已。但是不論這張道德表是多長或短，道德價值都是無價的。他們是美國文化──和任何其它國家的文化之基礎。