Excerpts from classic English articles

English, as an important means of social life and communication between countries, its status is increasing day by day. The following is an excerpt from an English classic article that I brought, welcome to read!

Excerpt from an English classic article 1

The Faculty of Delight

　The power of joy

Among the mind's powers is one that comes of itself to many children and artists. It need not be lost, to the end of his days, by any one who has ever had it. This is the power of taking delight in a thing, or rather in anything, everything, not as a means to some other end, but just because it is what it is, as the lover dotes on whatever may be the traits of the beloved object. A child in the full health of his mind wifi put his hand flat on the summer turf, feel it, and give a little shiver of private glee at the elastic firmness of the globe. He is not thinking how well it will do for some game or to feed sheep upon. That would be the way of the wooer whose mind runs on his mistress's money. The child's is sheer affection, the true ecstatic sense of the thing's inherent characteristics. No matter what the things may be, no matter what they are good or no good for, there they are, each with a thrilling unique look and feel of its own, like a face; the iron astringently coop under its paint, the painted wood familiarly warmer, the clod crumbling enchantingly down in the hands, with its little dry smell of the sun and of hot nettles; each common thing a personality marked by delicious differences.

Among the various faculties of the mind, there is one that for many children and artists is associated with It is something you are born with, and once you get it, you will never lose it. This ability is the ability to feel joy in one thing, or even in everything. The joy is not because the thing is a means to some other end, but simply because of the thing itself, just as a lover feels that the object of his affection is perfect. A healthy child may place his hand on a summer meadow and caress it, feeling in his heart that the solid earth has a certain elasticity to it, and feels joy in his heart. He did not consider how useful the meadow would be for playing games or for grazing sheep. If this is the case, it is the bad behavior of a pursuer who is obsessed with money. But the child's inner joy was pure and genuine, a true ecstasy about the intrinsic nature of this thing.

No matter what these things are, no matter what they are useful or useless for, they exist naturally, with their own attractive look and feel, just like a face; the cold steel under the paint, the warm and amiable colored wood, The fascinating clods of soil that break into pieces when you hold them in your hands smell slightly of the dryness of the sun and nettles; all kinds of ordinary things have lovely differences, thus highlighting their unique character.

The joy of an Adam new to the garden and just looking round is brought by the normal child to the things that he does as well as those that he sees. To be suffered to do some plain work with the real spade used by mankind can give him a mystical exaltation : to come home with his legs, as the French say, reentering his body from the fatigue of helping the gardener to weed beds sends him to sleep in the glow of a beatitude that is an end in itself?

When Adam first arrived in the Garden of Eden, he looked around with joy, which is exactly the joy a normal child would feel when he is doing or looking at something. If he were allowed to pick up a real shovel that people use and do some ordinary work, he would definitely feel a mysterious joy. When, after a hard day's work, he helps the gardener weed the garden and comes back with his feet as if inside his body (as the French say), he will be in a blaze of pure joy. Sleep peacefully under the light?

Excerpts from English classic articles 2

Serenity

Calmness

Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in selfcontrol, Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought.

Peace of mind is The treasure of wisdom that comes from long-term, patient self-control. Inner peace is a sign of mature experience and a deeper understanding of the laws of thought activity.

A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene.

Whether a person can have peace of mind depends on him The degree of understanding of himself, because if he wants to understand others, he must first understand himself; when he has a deeper understanding of others and himself, and has an increasingly clear insight into the closely related cause and effect relationships within things, he will You will no longer be surprised, angry, anxious or sad, but will treat everything with a calm, calm and peaceful attitude.

The calm man, having learned how to govern himself, knows how to adapt himself to others; and they, in turn, reverence his spiritual strength, and feel that they can learn of him and rely upon him. The more tranquil a man becomes, the greater is his success, his influence, his power for good. Even the ordinary trader will find his business prosperity increase as he develops a greater selfcontrol and equanimity, for people will always prefer to deal with a man whose demeanor is strongly equable.

A calm person knows how to control himself and how to adapt to getting along with others; on the contrary, others will respect his personality charm and follow his example. Consider him a reliable person. The more calm a person is, the greater his achievements, influence and appeal. Even an ordinary businessman will find that his business flourishes if he can control himself well and remain calm when encountering difficulties; because people are always more willing to deal with a person who behaves calmly and calmly.

　The strong, calm man is always loved and revered. He is like a shadegiving tree in a thirsty land, or a sheltering rock in a storm. "Who does not love a tranquil heart, a sweettempered, balanced life?" It does not matter whether it rains or shines, or what changes come to those possessing these blessings, for they are always sweet, serene, and calm. That exquisite poise of character, which we call serenity is the last lesson of culture , the fruitage of the soul. It is precious as wisdom, more to be desired than gold ? yea, than even fine gold. How insignificant mere money seeking looks in comparison with a serene life, a life that dwells in the ocean of truth, beneath the waves, beyond the reach of tempests, in the eternal calm!

A strong and calm person will always win people's favor and respect; he is like a big tree with thick shade under the scorching sun. A tree, or a rock that provides shelter from the wind and rain during a storm. ?Who doesn’t love a quiet heart and a gentle and plain life? No matter it is a violent storm, or a red sun in the sky, whether the earth is turned upside down, or a reversal of fate, everything is taken lightly, because such people are always humble. , calm and collected. That calm character we call poise is the last lesson of cultivation and the fruit of the flower of the soul. It is as precious as wisdom, and is worth more than gold—yes, more than pure gold. Compared with a peaceful life, the pursuit of fame and fortune is nothing to mention. It is a life in the ocean of truth, under the rough waves, far away from the intrusion of the storm, and always existing in tranquility.

"How many people we know who sour their lives, who ruin all that is sweet and beautiful by explosive tempers, who destroy their poise of character, and make bad blood! It is a question whether the great majority of people do not ruin their lives and mar their happiness by lack of selfcontrol. How few people we meet in life who are well balanced, who have that exquisite poise which is characteristic of the finished character!"

　? Many people we know have made a mess of their lives. Their anger destroys all the good things, and at the same time destroys their quiet life and leaves a legacy to future generations! The question now is whether most people lack self-esteem. What if you control your ability to destroy your own life and destroy your original happiness? In life, we rarely meet people who can be calm and calm, and have the kind of calmness unique to mature characters. ?

Yes, humanity surges with uncontrolled passion, is tumultuous with ungoverned grief, is blown about by anxiety and doubt. Only the wise man, only he whose thoughts are controlled and purified, makes the winds and the storms of the soul obey him.

Yes, human nature is restless with uncontrollable passions, ebbs and flows with unbridled sorrows, is stricken with anxiety and suspicion. Only wise people, only those who have controlled and purified their thoughts, can make waves in the spiritual world.

Tempesttossed souls, wherever ye may be, under any conditions ye may live, know this in the ocean of life the isles of blessedness are smiling, and the sunny shore of your ideal awaits your coming. Keep your hand firmly upon the helm of thought. In the bark of your soul reclines the commanding master; he does but sleep; wake him. Selfcontrol is strength; right thought is mastery; calmness is power. Say unto your heart, "Peace, be still !"

People who have experienced the baptism of the storm, no matter where you are, no matter what your situation is, you must know that in the ocean of life, the island of happiness is smiling at you; shining on your ideal The sun is ahead. We must firmly hold the rudder of thought. Deep in your soul, there is a master who guides you. He may still be sleeping, wake him up. Self-control is strength, correct thinking is advantage, and composure is energy. Always say to your soul: ?Peace, quiet!?

Excerpts from English classic articles 3

The Lord is My Shepherd

The Lord is my Shepherd

　A psalm of David

　(David’s psalm)

　The LORD is my shepherd,

　The Lord is my shepherd

I shall not be in want.

I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,

He leads me beside quiet waters,

Lead me beside still waters.

he restores my soul.

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

< p>　Guide me in the paths of righteousness for your name's sake,

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

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　I will fear no evil,

　Nor fear of evil,

　for you are with me;

　Because you are with me;

Your rod and your staff,

Your rod, your staff,

They comfort me.

They comfort me.

You prepare a table before me

In the presence of my enemies.

You prepare a table for me Feast.

You anoint my head with oil;

You anoint my head with oil,

my cup overflows.

The cup of blessing is overflowing.

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

I will live in the house of the Lord forever!