Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain—and most fools do.
任何傻瓜都会批评、谴责和抱怨——绝大多数的傻瓜也就是这样做的。
But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.
但是要想理解别人、原谅别人,这就要求一个人有人品、有自制力。
"A great man shows his greatness," said Carlyle, "by the way he treats little men." Bob Hoover, a famous test pilot was returning to his home from an air show. At three hundred feet in the air, both engines suddenly stopped. By deft maneuvering he managed to land the plane, but it was badly damaged although nobody was hurt.
卡莱尔说:“一个伟人的伟大,就看他如何对待小人物。”鲍勃·胡佛是一位著名的试飞员。有一天,他在空中表演结束后返航。突然,在飞机离地面300英尺的地方,两个发动机同时停了。靠着他高超的技术,他才将飞机降落,但是飞机遭到了严重损坏,虽然人没有受伤。
Hoover's first act after the emergency landing was to inspect the plane's fuel. Just as he had suspected, the mechanic had put in the wrong fuel.
胡佛紧急着陆以后,立刻就去检查飞机的燃料。果然不出所料,机械师放错了燃料。
Upon returning to the airport, Hoover asked to see the mechanic. The young man was sick with the agony of his mistake. Tears streamed down his face. He was anticipating the tongue-lashing that this proud and precise pilot would unleash for his carelessness. But Hoover didn't scold the mechanic; he didn't even criticize him. Instead, he put his big arm around the man's shoulder and said, "To show you that I'm sure you'll never do this again, I want you to service my F-51 tomorrow."
回到机场以后,他就要求见那位机械师。那个年轻人为了他犯的错误深感痛苦,泪流满面。他以为这位骄傲和严格的驾驶员肯定会为此严厉地斥责他,但是胡佛没有骂这位机械师,甚至都没有批评他。他只是搂着他的肩膀说:“为了表明我确信你永远不会再犯这种错误,我想让你明天为我的F-51飞机进行检修保养。”
Instead of condemning people, let's try to understand them.
所以,不要指责他人,还是让我们努力理解他们吧。
As Dr. Johnson said: "God himself, sir, does not propose to judge man until the end of his days." Why should you and I?
就如约翰逊博士所说:“先生,上帝自己都主张到人类最后的时候再对他们进行评判。”那你我为什么要过早评判他人呢?