As I try to outline my thoughts, the subject becomes more and more difficult. I have many basic beliefs but as I try to pick and choose it seems to me that they all can be summarized in the word "character." Obviously, what you believe is a fundamental thing. There can be no fanfare, no embellishments. It must be honest.
我努力清算思路时，主题变得越来越难讲述。我有诸多信奉，但试图筛选时，仿佛都可用“人格”一词概括。显然，一个人的信奉是基本，无需夸耀，无需修饰，是什么就是什么。
An architect once told me that the most difficult structure to design was a simple monumental shaft. The proportions must perfect to be pleasing. The hardest thing to build is a plain straight wall. The dimensions must be absolute.
一位修建师告知我，最难设计的修筑是一尊简略的纪念柱，比例必须白璧无瑕，赏心悦目;最难砌的是一堵俭朴笔直的墙，尺寸必需一丝不差。
In either case there is no ornamentation to hide irregularities, no moldings to cover hidden defects and no supports to strengthen concealed weaknesses.
在这两种情况下，都无奈用润饰掩饰不平整，以造型遮蔽隐藏的缺点，以支撑物来加固不牢的基础。
I am using this example to illustrate human character, which to me is the most important single power in the world today. The young people of toady are in reality foundations of structures yet to be built.
我以此例来阐明人格，在我看来它是当今世界上最主要的独一的力气。今天的年青人实际上是世界待建结构的根基。
It is obvious that the design of these human structures is the combined efforts of many human architects. Boys and girls are influenced first by their parents, then by their friends and finally by business associates. During this period of construction, the human character is revised and changed until at maturity a fairly well-fixed form of character is found.
不言而喻，设计这些人格构造需要众多人类建造师的独特尽力。孩子们的成长，先后要受到父母、友人跟事业搭档的影响。在这一成长进程中，人格始终在转变，直到在成熟期定型。
There are few human straight walls and fewer human monumental shafts. Such men and women are personalities of great beauty and are so rare that history records their being and holds them up as examples for the future.
人类中堪称墙个别笔挺矗立的人少有，像留念柱一样耸立的人更少，这样的人是美的化身，世所常见，历史记载他们的存在，奉之为后代的榜样。
The Biblical characters are for me the closest examples of human perfection. They were unselfish, steadfast in their faith and unstinting in their help to others.
《圣经》中的人物在我心中是最濒临完人的典范，他们忘我，信奉动摇，辅助别人，尽力而为。
Today in this world of turmoil and trouble we could use more of such people, but they do not just happen along. I believe that they are the result of concentrated effort on the part of parents and associates, and the more we build with character the better the world will become.
在今天这个凌乱不安的世界，我们能够多用这样的人，但他们并非从天而降。我相信他们是父母、错误倾力铸造的结果。我们越器重人格的建构，世界会越美妙。
This may sound like a dreamer's hope and a theoretical goal which can never be reached. I do not think so.
这听起来像痴人说梦，是永远无法实现的实践目的，我却不这么想。
The world as a whole has progressed tremendously material-wise, and we are a fortunate nation in that we are leading the procession. It is, I believe, natural that nations not so fortunate should look upon us with envy. We would do the same if the positions were reserved, so we should not judge too harshly the efforts of others to equal our standard of living. In either case, the fortunate or the unfortunate character in the individual and collectively in a nation stands out.
全世界在物资出产上已获得宏大提高，美利坚幸运地成为领导这一过程的国度。我信任，不这样好福气的国家可能会嫉妒我们，如果换个地位，我们也会如斯，因而对别人奋力向我们的生涯尺度看齐，我们不应该轻率地评判。无论是哪种情况，个人或民族的荣幸或可怜的品德都会凸显出来。
I agree that it is easier to build character under ideal conditions but cannot forget that character is also required to give as well as receive.
我赞成在幻想前提下更轻易塑造人格的说法，但我以为不能忘却人格的塑造不仅需要外界条件的陶冶，也需要本身的努力。
It should be to the benefit of humanity if all individuals - and this includes myself - did a renovation or remodeling job on our own character. It may merely be a case of removing rough edges or tossing away molding to expose irregularities, in some cases to remove a prop and stand on one's own feet.
假如所有人——也包含我自己——都更新或重铸自己的人格，这应当是有利于人类的。这兴许仅仅是抹去毛糙的边沿或抛弃固有的模式，从而露出出不平坦，有时则须要拿走支持物，完整靠本人站破。
In any event if some of us set example, others will follow and the result should be good. This I believe.
不管何种情形，只有咱们有人建立模范，其余人就会效仿，成果就应该是好的。对此我坚信不疑。
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