星火四级美文听力原文100.doc

1. Happiness Many people think that when they become rich and successful, happiness will naturally follow. Let me tell you that nothing is further from the truth. The world is full of very rich people who are as miserable as if they were living in hell. We have read stories about movie stars who committed suicide or died from drugs. Quite clearly, money is not the only answer to all problems. Wealth obtained through dishonest means does not bring happiness. Lottery winnings do not bring happiness. Gamble winnings do not bring happiness. To my mind, the secret to happiness lies in your successful work, There is no use saying in your contribution towards others’ happiness and in your wealth you have earned through your own honest effort. If you obtain wealth through luck or dishonest means, you will know that it is ill earned money. If you get your money by taking advantage of others or by hurting others, you will not be happy with it. You will think you are a base person. Long－term happiness is based on honesty, productive work, contribution, and self－esteem. Happiness is not an end; it is a process. It is a continuous process of honest, productive work which makes a real contribution to others and makes you feel you are a useful, worthy person. As Dr. Wayne wrote, 揟here is no way to happiness. Happiness is the way.”“Some day when I achieve these goals, when I get a car, build a house and own my own business, then I will be really happy.”Life just does not work that way. If you wait for certain things to happen and depend on external circumstances of life to make you happy, you will always feel unfulfilled. There will always be something missing. 2. The English Character To other Europeans, the best known quality of the British, and in particular of the English, is “reserved”. A reserved person is one who does not talk very much to strangers, does not show much emotion, and seldom gets excited. It is difficult to get to know a reserved person: he never tells you an