晨读英语美文100篇 Passage 53. Choosing an Occupation
 音频下载[点击右键另存为][00:00.98]Passage 53. Choosing an Occupation[00:06.23]Dear sir, [00:12.47]I am very sorry that the pressure of other occupations has prevented me from sending an earlier reply to your letter. [00:19.57]In my opinion a man’s first duty is to find a way of supporting himself, [00:25.05]thereby relieving other people of the necessity of supporting him. [00:29.53]Moreover, the learning to do work of practical value in the world, [00:34.67]in an exact and careful manner, is of itself a very important education, [00:39.60]the effects of which make themselves felt in all other pursuits. [00:43.76]The habit of doing that which you do not care about when you would much rather be doing something else, is invaluable. [00:51.75]It would have saved me a frightful waste of time if I had ever had it drilled into me in youth. [00:57.76]Success in any scientific career requires an unusual equipment of capacity, industry, and energy. [01:06.95]If you possess that equipment, you will find leisure enough after your daily commercial work is over, [01:13.51]to make an opening in the scientific ranks for yourself. [01:17.13]If you don't, you had better stick to commerce. [01:21.39]Nothing is less to be desired than the fate of a young man who, [01:26.10]as the Scotch proverb says, in “trying to make a spoon spoils a horn,” [01:32.45]and becomes a mere hanger-on in literature or in science, [01:36.93]when he might have been a useful and a valuable member of Society in other occupations. [01:42.73]I think that your father ought to see this letter. [01:46.45]Yours faithfully, T. H. Huxley |
