精选英语哲理美文阅读
A. 求一些英语美文，并蕴涵哲理与抒情。
Love Your Life
热爱生活
Henry David Thoreau/享利.大卫.梭罗
However mean your life is,meet it and live it ;do not shun it and call it hard names.It is not so bad as you are.It looks poorest when you are richest.The fault-finder will find faults in paradise.Love your life,poor as it is.You may perhaps have some pleasant,thrilling,glorious hourss,even in a poor-house.The setting sun is reflected from the windows of the alms-house as brightly as from the rich man's abode;the snow melts before its door as early in the spring.I do not see but a quiet mind may live as contentedly there,and have as cheering thoughts,as in a palace.The town's poor seem to me often to live the most independent lives of any.May be they are simply great enough to receive without misgiving.Most think that they are above being supported by the town;but it often happens that they are not above supporting themselves by dishonest means.which should be more disreputable.Cultivate poverty like a garden herb,like sage.Do not trouble yourself much to get new things,whether clothes or friends,Turn the old,return to them.Things do not change;we change.Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts.
不论你的生活如何卑贱，你要面对它生活，不要躲避它，更别用恶言咒骂它。它不像你那样坏。你最富有的时候，倒是看似最穷。爱找缺点的人就是到天堂里也能找到缺点。你要爱你的生活，尽管它贫穷。甚至在一个济贫院里，你也还有愉快、高兴、光荣的时候。夕阳反射在济贫院的窗上，像身在富户人家窗上一样光亮；在那门前，积雪同在早春融化。我只看到，一个从容的人，在哪里也像在皇宫中一样，生活得心满意足而富有愉快的思想。城镇中的穷人，我看，倒往往是过着最独立不羁的生活。也许因为他们很伟大，所以受之无愧。大多数人以为他们是超然的，不靠城镇来支援他们；可是事实上他们是往往利用了不正当的手段来对付生活，他们是毫不超脱的，毋宁是不体面的。视贫穷如园中之花而像圣人一样耕植它吧！不要找新的花样，无论是新的朋友或新的衣服，来麻烦你自己。找旧的，回到那里去。万物不变，是我们在变。你的衣服可以卖掉，但要保留你的思想。
http://e.sina.com.cn/en/good.html
这里还有其他很多篇，供你自由选择
B. 速求5篇经典英语美文阅读
YOUTH
By Samuel Ullman 塞缪尔·厄尔曼
Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind; it is not amatter of rosy cheeks, red lips and supple knees; it is a matter of thewill, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is thefreshness of the deep springs of life.
Youth means a tempera-mental predominance of courage over timidity,of the appetite for adventure over the love of ease. This often existsin a man of 60 more than a boy of 20. Nobody grows old merely by anumber of years. We grow old by deserting our ideals.
Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles thesoul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the springback to st.
Whether 60 or 16, there is in every human being’s heart the lure ofwonder, the unfailing childlike appetite of what’s next and the joy ofthe game of living. In the center of your heart and my heart there is awireless
station: so long as it receives messages of beauty, hope, cheer,courage and power from men and from the Infinite, so long are you young.
When the aerials are down, and your spirit is covered with snows ofcynicism and the ice of pessimism, then you are grown old, even at 20,but as long as your aerials are up, to catch waves of optimism, thereis hope you may die young at 80.
Transforming Obstacles into Benefits
By Richard Stewart,Los Angeles, U.S.A. (Originally in English)
美国洛杉矶 理查德．史都华德（原文为英文）
A group of frogs was traveling through the woods and two of themfell into a deep pit. Immediately, all the other frogs in the groupgathered around the pit and watched as the imprisoned frogs tried tojump out. The frogs on top could see that the pit was very deep and itlooked as if there was no way out, so they started yelling at the twofrogs in the pit to give up. "The pit is too deep. You're as good asdead," the chorus of frogs said. When the trapped frogs kept trying,the crowd yelled louder, "Give up. You're as good as dead." After awhile, one of the exhausted frogs took heed to what the others weresaying, and fell down and died.
But amazingly, the second frog kept jumping as hard as she coulddespite the negative remarks of those that kept yelling at her toaccept the inevitable and just die. Finally, with one valiant leap, shemade it out of the pit!
This amazing result occurred because the second frog was deaf annable to hear what the others had been saying. She thought they hadbeen cheering her on the entire time they were yelling! What she hadmistakenly perceived as encouragement inspired her to try harder andsucceed against all odds. And that made all the difference!
With a positive mindset, and being deaf to others' opinions, thesecond frog made use of such negativity to overcome obstacles and reachher goals by using it as encouragement, instead of being influenced byothers like the first frog, who failed to develop her potential tostrive for survival. Thus, when we surmount others' criticism, ridiculeor cynical comments, we can do anything we set our minds to, just asthe second frog did. But, if we are not deaf like this frog, who couldnot be influenced by others e to a physical condition, we need the Wisdom to guide us to the proper way, so as not to be blindly guided byworldly opinion.
Transforming Obstacles into Benefits
By Richard Stewart,Los Angeles, U.S.A. (Originally in English)
美国洛杉矶 理查德．史都华德（原文为英文）
A group of frogs was traveling through the woods and two of themfell into a deep pit. Immediately, all the other frogs in the groupgathered around the pit and watched as the imprisoned frogs tried tojump out. The frogs on top could see that the pit was very deep and itlooked as if there was no way out, so they started yelling at the twofrogs in the pit to give up. "The pit is too deep. You're as good asdead," the chorus of frogs said. When the trapped frogs kept trying,the crowd yelled louder, "Give up. You're as good as dead." After awhile, one of the exhausted frogs took heed to what the others weresaying, and fell down and died.
But amazingly, the second frog kept jumping as hard as she coulddespite the negative remarks of those that kept yelling at her toaccept the inevitable and just die. Finally, with one valiant leap, shemade it out of the pit!
This amazing result occurred because the second frog was deaf annable to hear what the others had been saying. She thought they hadbeen cheering her on the entire time they were yelling! What she hadmistakenly perceived as encouragement inspired her to try harder andsucceed against all odds. And that made all the difference!
With a positive mindset, and being deaf to others' opinions, thesecond frog made use of such negativity to overcome obstacles and reachher goals by using it as encouragement, instead of being influenced byothers like the first frog, who failed to develop her potential tostrive for survival. Thus, when we surmount others' criticism, ridiculeor cynical comments, we can do anything we set our minds to, just asthe second frog did. But, if we are not deaf like this frog, who couldnot be influenced by others e to a physical condition, we need the Wisdom to guide us to the proper way, so as not to be blindly guided byworldly opinion.
C. 英语哲理性小短文
【1】Things Aren’t Always What They Seem
Two traveling angles stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was rude and refused to let the angles stay in the mansion’s guestroom. Instead the angles were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed in the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it. When the younger angle asked why, the older angle replied, “Things aren’t always what they seem.”
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife. After sharing the little food they had the couple let the angles sleep in their bed where they could have a good night’s rest. When the sun came up the next morning the angles found the farmer and his in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field. The younger angle was infuriated and asked the older angle how he could have let this happen. “The first man had everything, yet you helped him,” he accused. “The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow lie”.
“Things aren’t always what they seem,” the older angle replied. “when we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn’t find it.”
“Then last night as we slept in the farmer’s bed, the angle of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead. Things aren’t always what they seem.
有些事并不象它看上去那样
两个旅行中的天使到一个富有的家庭借宿。这家人对他们并不友好，并且拒绝让他们在舒适的客人卧室过夜，而是在冰冷的地下室给他 们找了一个角落。当他们铺床时，较老的天使发现墙上有一个洞， 就顺手把它修补好了。年轻的天使问为什么，老天使答到： “有些事并不象它看上去那样。”
第二晚，两人又到了一个非常贫穷的农家借宿。主人夫妇俩对他们非常热情，把仅有的一点点食物拿出来款待客人，然后又让出自己的床铺给两个天使。第二天一早，两个天使发现农夫和他的妻子在哭泣--他们唯一的生活来源，一头奶牛死了。年轻的天使非常愤怒，他质问老天使为什么会这样，第一个家庭什么都有，老天使还帮助他们修补墙洞，第二个家庭尽管如此贫穷还是热情款待客人，而老天使却没有阻止奶牛的死亡。
“有些事并不象它看上去那样。”老天使答道，“当我们在地下室过夜时，我从墙洞看到
墙里面堆满了金块。因为主人被贪欲所迷惑，不愿意分享他的财富，所以我把墙洞填上了。
“昨天晚上，死亡之神来召唤农夫的妻子，我让奶牛代替了她。所以有些事并不象它看上去那样。”
D. 有哲理的英语短文
1.The chicken that laid gold eggs （下金蛋的鸡）
Far into the high mountains, there was this small village. A poor farther and his wife lived in a rather shabby hut [破旧的小屋]. The live was difficult and harsh at times. While enring the hardship, they often wished that one day, they could get rich somehow, frequently, they would pray to god to give them a fortune.
One day, god decided to give them a gift in order to change their life. The gift was a healthy but rather ordinarily looking hen. The couple was somewhat disappointed with this fowl [家禽], contemplating [计划，打算] the best way to cook it. The next morning, the farmer went to the cage to fetch the bird. To his great surprise that he found that the hen had laid a gold egg. They were overwhelmed by the sudden and unexpected found given to them by god and extremely grateful and happy about it. For the then, they built a nice and comfortable chicken coop [笼] and fed the bird with best feed that they could gather.
After selling many gold eggs, the couple became richer and richer. However, after a period of time, they became dissatisfied with only one gold egg a day. It would be wonderful only if the hen could lay two or three or even one hundred gold eggs a day, the farmer and his wife thought. Thinking that there must be thousands of gold inside the hen, the farmer one day, decided to find it out. He killed the hen and opened her belly [肚，腹，胃], in search of gold eggs.
Alas, he found that there was only one gold egg inside the hen.
2.The rabbit and the turtle had a race（龟兔赛跑）
In this beautiful forest, there were many tall trees, bearing various sweet fruits, such as dates and figs. Along the forest, on a splendid meadow, countless flowers were blooming everywhere. Daily, all kind of animal will gather in the meadow and having fun. They would sing and dance in different groups. They also played many games, including hide-and-seek.
On this sunny warm afternoon, the pesky monkey posted a note on a big tree trunk, announcing that there would be a foot race between the rabbit and the turtle. Animals were surprised, but nevertheless, one could still feel the excitement in the air. The crowd pushed around the starting line, arguing about that who could be the winner. The majority of the animals favored the rabbit, no doubt.
As usual, the light footed rabbit carried his nonchalant [不关心的] smile on his face arrived first and checked in with the judge, the honorable goat. Then slowly but surely, arrived the humble looking turtle. The goat told them that the race would start only after his staring gun and the participants should strictly obey the rules of the race. The handsome deer made a wreath and placed it at the end point. Whoever got there first and put on the garland would be declared the winner.
Bang! There went the starting gun. The rabbit leaped up in the air and took of like an arrow. The turtle was slow to start, and moving ahead on a steady pace. Not soon enough, the rabbit arrived at the mid point of the race. He stopped and looked back, but the turtle was nowhere to be found. He was very confident and relaxed. Under the nice warm sunlight, with a big yawn, he decided to take a nap.
After a nice dream, the rabbit woke up and rubbed his eyes and feeling totally refreshed. He looked around and could not see the turtle anywhere. However, he decided that it was time to get on with the race again. As he was approaching the end of the race route, he heard some cheering ahead. He was thinking that the crowd must be getting ready celebrate his victory. He made the last turn around the corner and started to look ahead for the finishing line. He was stunned by the scene that the turtle was at the end point, picking up the wreath. The big crowd was cheering jubilantly for the winner of the race, the turtle.
3. A Smart Cock（聪明的公鸡）
In a nice and tranquil village, there lived a handsome and smart cock. Next door, there lived a nice hound. They were good friends and often played together. On a nice spring day, the hound suggested that they two should take a trip to the forest to have some fun and could even meet some friends along the way. The cock was excited and agreed with the plan.
They wandered through the trees, immersed in the fresh air and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Near sunset, they decided to rest for the night. They found a tall tree with many branches and it was very suitable for the cock to sleep. At the bottom of the trunk, there was a nice burrow which could fit the hound to rest in, very comfortably.
Next morning, the first ray of sun light woke up the cock high on the tree. He started to sing:” cocka-do-da-do!” from the branch. The hound was still soundly asleep, while the singing by the cock attracted the attention of a hungry red fox. The fox quietly approached the tree and saw the beautiful cock sitting high up there.
Immediately, the fox started to speak to cock with some sweet words, hoping to lure the cock down from the tall tree. After all, it should be a delicious breakfast for the fox.
However, the cock looked through the fox’s trick and definitely would not come down from the tree. He thought to himself that if there should be a way to wake up his friend, the hound.
The cock said to the fox that he definitely would need a ladder in order from him to get down from the tree safely. In fact, there was a rope ladder hidden in the burrow at the bottom of the tree. If the fox could get it out and set it up, he would appreciate it very much.
The fox was more than happy to do that, thinking that a wonderful meal was essentially in his hand. He then quickly stuck his front paw into the burrow and felt around. He touched a rope-like material in there. He then got a hold of it and started to pull it out. Alas, it was the tail of the hound. When the hound was dragged out of the burrow and saw the fox was pulling him out, he jumped up and started to chase the fox.
The fox ran as fast he could and barely got away. At the mean time, the cock was looking down from his perch with a broad smile on his face.
E. 急求！！一篇有哲理的英语文章（带翻译）！！在线等～～
可能有点长，还是推荐这个很老的哲理故事吧，虽然大家都听过了，但是还是值得时时想起，提醒自己的。。。树欲静而风不止，子欲养而亲不待
《男孩和他的树》
从前，有一棵巨大的苹果树。
一个小男孩每天都喜欢在树下玩耍。他爬树，吃苹果，在树荫下小睡……他爱和树玩，树也爱和他玩。
时间过的很快，小男孩长大了，他不再每天都来树下玩耍了。
“来和我玩吧。”树说。
“我不再是孩子了，我再也不会在树下玩了。”男孩回答道，“我想要玩具，我需要钱去买玩具。”
“对不起，我没有钱……但是，你可以把我的苹果摘下来，拿去卖钱，这样你就有钱了。”
男孩兴奋的把所有的苹果都摘下来，高兴的离开了。男孩摘了苹果后很久都没有回来。树很伤心。
一天，男孩回来了，树很激动。
“来和我玩吧。”树说。
“我没时间玩，我得工作，养家糊口。我们需要一栋房子，你能帮助我吗？”
“对不起，我没有房子，但是你可以砍下我的树枝，拿去盖你的房子。”男孩把所有的树枝都砍下来，高兴的离开了。
看到男孩那么高兴，树非常欣慰。但是，男孩从此很久都没回来。树再一次孤独，伤心起来。
一个炎热的夏日，男孩终于回来了，树很欣慰。
“来和我玩吧！”树说。
“我过的不快乐，我也一天天变老了，我想去航海放松一下。你能给我一条船吗？”
“用我的树干造你的船吧，你就能快乐地航行到遥远的地方了。”男孩把树干砍下来，做成了一条船。
他去航海了，很长时间都没露面。
最后，过了很多年，男孩终于回来了。
“对不起，孩子，我再也没有什么东西可以给你了……”树说。
“我已经没有牙咬苹果了。”男孩回答道。
“我也没有树干让你爬了。”树说。
“我已经老得爬不动了。”男孩说。
“我真的不能再给你任何东西了，除了我正在死去的树根。”树含着泪说。
“我现在不需要什么了，只想找个地方休息。过了这么些年，我累了。”男孩回答道。
“太好了！老树根正是休息是最好的倚靠，来吧，来坐在我身边，休息一下吧。”
男孩坐下了，树很高兴，含着泪微笑着……
****************
这是每个人的故事，树就是我们的父母。当我们年轻的时候，我们愿意和爸爸妈妈玩。当我们长大成人，我们就离开了父母，只有我们需要一些东西或者遇到一些麻烦时，才会回来。不论怎样，父母总是支持我们，竭力给我们每一样能让我们高兴的东西。
你也许会想，男孩对树太残酷了，但是，那正是我们所有人对待父母的方式啊！
附英文版：
A Boy and His Tree
A long ago,there was a huge apple tree. A little boy love to come and play around it everyday.He climbed to the tree top,ate the apples,took a nap under the shadow…He loved the tree and the tree loved to play with him.
Time went by,the little boy had grown up and he no longer played around the tree everyday.
One day,the boy came back to the tree and he looked.
“Come and play with me ,”The tree asked the boy .
“I am no longer a kid, I don’t play around trees anymore.”The boy replied,
“I want toys.I need money to buy them.”
“Sorry,but I don’t have money…But you can pick all my apples and sell them.
So,you will have money.”The boy was so excited .He grabbed all the apples
on the tree and left happily.The boy never came back after he picked the
apples.The tree was sad.
One day,the boy returned and the tree was so excited.
“Come and play with me ,”The tree said.
“I don’t have time to play.I have to work for my family.We need a house for
shelter.Can you help me?”
“sorry,but I don’t have a house .But you can chop off my branches to build
your house.”So the boy cut all the branches of the tree and left happily.
The tree was glad to see him happy but the boy never came back since then.
The tree was again lonely and sad.
One hot summer day,the boy returned and the tree was delighted.
“Come and play with me !”The tree said.
“I am sad and getting old.I want to go sailing to relax myself.Can you give
a boat?”
“Use my truck to build your boat.You can sail faraway and be happy.”
So the boy cut the tree truck to make a boat .He went sailing and never
showed up for a long time.
Finally, the boy returned after he left for so many years.
“Sorry,my boy.but I don’t have anything for you anymore.No more apples for
for you…“The tree said.
“I don’t have teeth to bite.”The boy replied.
“No more truck foe you to climb on.”
“I am too old for that now.”The boy said.
“I really can give you anything…The only thing left is my dying roots.”The
tree said with tears.
“I don’t need much now,just a place to rest.I am tired after all these year”
The boy replied.
“Good!Old tree roots is the best place to lean on and rest. Come,come sit
down with me and rest.”The boy sat down and the tree was glad and smiled
with tears……
This is a story of everyone. The tree is our parent. when we were young, we loved to play with mom and dad……
When we grown up, we left them…Only came to them when we need something or when we are in trouble.
No matter what,parents will alway be there and give everything they could to make you happy.
You may think the boy is cruel to the tree but that how all of us are treating our parent.Time is too slow for those who wait,too swift for those who fear,too long for those who grieve,too short for those who rejoice,but for those who love,time is eternity.
英文的最后一句原文没有翻译，我怕自己粗陋的翻译会破坏了原有的韵味，大家自己品味吧！！
F. 富有深刻哲理的 易背的 3分钟以内的英语小美文
n indivial human existence should be like a river—small at first, narrowly contained within its banks, and rushing passionately past boulders and over waterfalls. Graally the river grows wider, the banks recede, the waters flow more quietly, and in the end, without any visible break, they become merged in the sea, and painlessly lose their indivial being.
人的生命应当像河流，开始是涓涓细流，受两岸的限制而十分狭窄，尔后奔腾咆哮，翻过危岩，飞越瀑布，河面渐渐开阔，河岸也随之向两边隐去，最后水流平缓，森森无际，汇入大海之中，个人就这样毫无痛苦地消失了。
Years may wrinkle the skin,but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. Worry, fear, self-distrust bows the heart and turns the spirit back to st.
光阴可以在颜面上留下印记，而热情之火的熄灭则在心灵上刻下皱纹。烦恼、恐惧、缺乏自信会扭曲人的灵魂，并将青春化为灰烬。
G. 求有哲理性的英语美文
胡萝卜本是硬的，坚固而且强度大，但受到煮沸的水的影响，它变得柔软而脆弱。鸡蛋本来易碎，薄薄的外壳保护着内部的液体。但是在经历过煮沸的水以后，它的内部却变得坚硬。不过，最独特的却是磨碎的咖啡豆，当它们被放入煮沸的水之后，它们改变了水。
A certain daughter complained to her father about her life and how things have been so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and she wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed that just as one problem was solved another arose.
有一个女孩向她父亲抱怨她的生活，她觉得凡事都很艰难，不知该怎样挺过去，她想放弃。她厌倦了不断的抗争和奋斗，问题似乎都一个接着一个，不让她有喘息的机会。
Her father, a chef, took her to the kitchen, filled three pots with water and placed the fire on high. Soon the three pots came to a boil. In one he placed carrots, in the other he placed eggs, and the last he placed ground coffee beans. He let them sit and boil, without saying a word.
她的父亲是个厨师，他把她带到了厨房。他在三个壶里分别装满了水，加大火烧。很快，壶里的水被煮开了。他往第一个壶里放了些胡萝卜，往第二个壶里放了几个鸡蛋，在最后一个壶里放了些磨碎的咖啡豆，然后，一句话也没说，他由着水把它们煮沸。
The daughter sucked her teeth and impatiently wondered what he was trying to do. She had problems, and he was making this strange concoction. In half an hour he walked over to the stove and turned down the fire. He pulled the carrots out and placed them in the bowl. He pulled the eggs out and placed them in the bowl. Then he ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her he asked. "Darling what do you see?"
女儿咂巴着嘴，不耐烦地等着，对父亲的行为感到很纳闷。大约三十分钟后，父亲关掉了火炉，把胡萝卜捞出来，放到一个碗里。又把鸡蛋拣出来放进另一个碗里，接着把咖啡用勺子舀出来倒进一个杯子里，然后转过头来，对她说，“亲爱的，你看到了什么？”
"Carrots, eggs, and coffee." she replied.
“胡萝卜、鸡蛋和咖啡。”她答道。
He brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. He then asked her to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, he asked her to sip the coffee. Her face frowned from the strength of the coffee.
父亲让她走近点，要她去摸摸胡萝卜，她注意到，它们变软了。然后，他又要她去拿一个鸡蛋并把它敲破，在把壳剥掉之后，她观察了这个煮熟的鸡蛋。最后，父亲要她饮一口咖啡。咖啡很苦，她皱了皱眉。
Humbly, she asked. "What does it mean Father?"
“您想跟我说什么，父亲？”她问道。
He explained. "Each of them faced the same adversity, 212 degrees of boiling water. However each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. But after going through boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg was fragile. A thin outer shell protected a liquid center. But after sitting through the boiling water, it's inside became hardened. The coffee beans are unique however. After they were in the boiling water, it became stronger and richer."
父亲解释说，这三样东西面临着同样的逆境——煮沸的水。但它们的反应却各不相同。胡萝卜本是硬的，坚固而且强度大，但受到煮沸的水的影响后，它变得柔软而脆弱。鸡蛋本来易碎，薄薄的外壳保护着内部的液体。但是在经历过煮沸的水以后，它的内部却变得坚硬。不过，最独特的却是磨碎的咖啡豆，当它们被放入煮沸的水之后，它们改变了水。
"Which are you," he asked his daughter, "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"
“哪一个是你呢？”他问女儿，“当逆境找上你时，你该如何应对呢？你是胡萝卜、鸡蛋、还是咖啡豆？”
H. 求一篇有哲理的英文文章…
英文原稿及翻译：
There was a rich merchant who had 4 wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to delicacies. He took great care of her and gave her nothing but the best.
从前，一位富有的商人娶了四个老婆。他最爱他的小老婆，给她华丽的衣裳和美味佳肴。他对她体贴入微，把最好的东西都给了她。
He also loved the 3rd wife very much. He’s very proud of her and always wanted to show off her to his friends. However, the merchant is always in great fear that she might run away with some other men.
商人也很爱第三位老婆。他为她感到骄傲，并常把她作为在朋友面前炫耀的资本。但他同时也忧心忡忡，怕她与其他男人跑了。
He too, loved his 2nd wife. She is a very considerate person, always patient and in fact is the merchant’s confidante. Whenever the merchant faced some problems, he always turned to his 2nd wife and she would always help him out and tide him through difficult times.
当然，商人也爱二老婆，她既善解人意又耐心。事实上，她是商人的红颜知己。每每遇到困难，他就会找她，而她也总能帮助他走出困境，度过难关。
Now, the merchant’s 1st wife is a very loyal partner and has made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and business as well as taking care of the household. However, the merchant did not love the first wife and although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her.
至于大老婆，她是一位忠诚的伴侣，替他照料生意、打理家务，忙里忙外，可谓劳苦功高。然而，尽管她爱得这么深，商人却偏不钟情于她，甚至没把她放在心上。
One day, the merchant fell ill. Before long, he knew that he was going to die soon. He thought of his luxurious life and told himself, “Now I have 4 wives with me. But when I die, I’ll be alone. How lonely I’ll be!”
一日，商人得了重病，他自知将不久于人世。当他回顾自己奢华的一生，不禁心中怅然：“现在我虽然有四个老婆相伴，但死后却要孤零零一人。多寂寞啊！”
Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I loved you most, and owed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word.
于是，他问小老婆：“我最疼你，给你买最漂亮的衣服，还对你呵护备至。现在我就要离开这个世界了，你愿意随我而去，与我相伴吗？”“绝不可能！”她丢下一句话，径自走开了。
The answer cut like a sharp knife right into the merchant’s heart. The sad merchant then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you so much for all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is so good over here! I’m going to remarry when you die!” The merchant’s heart sank and turned cold.
小老婆的回答如一把尖刀插在商人心上。伤心的商人继而问第三个老婆：“我一直对你宠爱有加。如今，我将不久于人世，你愿意随我而去，与我相伴吗？”“不！”她拒绝道，“人间的生活多么美好啊！你死后我会改嫁他人！”商人的心倏地下沉，渐渐变冷。
He then asked the 2nd wife, “I always turned to you for help and you’ve always helped me out. Now I need your help again. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife. “At the very most, I can only send you to your grave.” The answer came like a bolt of thunder and the merchant was devastated.
他再转向二老婆，问道：“我过去常常求助于你，你也总能为我排忧解难。现在我想再请你帮一次忙。我死后，你愿意随我而去，与我相伴吗？”“很抱歉，这一次我帮不了你，”她说，“我最多只能让你入土为安。”这句话犹如晴天霹雳，商人彻底绝望了。
Then a voice called out: “I’ll leave with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The merchant looked up and there was his first wife. She was so skinny, almost like she suffered from malnutrition. Greatly grieved, the merchant said, “I should have taken much better care of you while I could have!”
这时，旁边传来一个声音：“我愿意随你一同离去。无论你到哪里，我都会跟着你。”商人抬起头，看到了自己的大老婆。她是那么消瘦，一副营养不良的样子。商人悲痛万分，他说：“我过去就应该好好地珍惜你啊！”
Actually, we all have 4 wives in our lives
其实，我们每个人的一生都有四位爱人相伴。
The 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it’ll leave us when we die.
小老婆代表我们的躯体。无论我们花费多少的时间和精力想去装扮她，我们死后它终会弃我们而去。
Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, they all go to others.
第三位老婆代表财产、地位与金钱。一旦我们撒手西去，它终究会转向他人。
The 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how close they had been there for us when we’re alive, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave.
二老婆则代表了我们的家人与朋友。我们活着的时候，无论他们与我们多么亲近，他们最多也只能到墓前送我们最后一程。
The 1st wife is in fact our soul, often neglected in our pursuit of material, wealth and sensual pleasure.
至于大老婆，她则是我们的灵魂。当我们沉迷于追求物质、金钱或感官享受的时候，她常常会被遗忘在一旁。
Guess what? It is actually the only thing that follows us wherever we go. Perhaps it’s a good idea to cultivate and strengthen it now rather than to wait until we’re on our deathbed to lament.
结果呢？她才是唯一与我们永远相伴的。也许从现在开始，我们就应该悉心照顾好她，而不是等到临终之际才悔恨不已