評論
打印
It's strange how chary we are about praising.
奇怪的是我們對贊揚何其慎重。
Perhaps it's because few of us know how to accept compliments gracefully.
這也許是因為我們很少有人知道怎樣大大方方地接受贊揚。
Instead, we are embarrassed and shrug off the words we are really so glad to hear.
相反，我們往往會不知所措，對于我們實際上非常樂意聽到的話卻聳聳肩膀不屑理睬。
Because of this defensive reaction, direct compliments are surprisingly difficult to give.
由于這種防御性的反應，給人以直接的贊揚就變得極為困難了。
That is why some of the most valued pats on the back are those which come to us indirectly, in a letter or passed on by a friend.
一些最寶貴的贊許鼓勵之詞往往是在信中或通過朋友間接地傳達給我們，原因就在于此。
When one thinks of the speed with which spiteful remarks are conveyed, it seems a pity that there isn't more effort to relay pleasing and flattering comments.
當我們想到那些充滿惡意的言詞傳播的速度之快，我們就會感到，人們沒有做出更大的努力來傳遞令人愉快、使人高興的評語似乎是太遺憾了。
It's especially rewarding to give praise in areas in which effort generally goes unnoticed or unmentioned.
對于通常不為人們注意或提及的努力加以贊揚是特別有益的。
An artist gets complimented for a glorious picture, a cook for a perfect meal.
藝術家因畫出一幅絢麗多彩的畫而受到贊美，廚師因燒出一頓美餐而受到稱贊。
But do you ever tell your laundry manager how pleased you are when the shirts are done just right?
但是當你的襯衫被洗得干干凈凈，燙得平平整整時，你可曾告訴過洗衣店的經理你是多么高興嗎？
Do you ever praise your paper boy for getting the paper to you on time 365 days a year?
你可曾因為你的報童每年365天都按時送報上門而夸獎過他？
Praise is particularly appreciated by those doing routine jobs: gas-station attendants, waitresses — even housewives.
那些從事例行工作的人們特別懂得贊揚的意義，如汽車加油站的服務員、女侍者——甚至家庭主婦。
Do you ever go into a house and say, "What a tidy room"？ Hardly anybody does.
當你走進一家住房時，你可曾說過：“多么整潔的房間啊”？幾乎沒有人這么說過。
That's why housework is considered such a dreary grind.
家務勞動之所以被認為是沉悶乏味的苦差使，原因就在于此。
Comment is often made about activities which are relatively easy and satisfying, like arranging flowers; but not about jobs which are hard and dirty, like scrubbing floors.
人們經常對一些比較容易而又令人滿意的活動，如插花，加以評論；但對像擦地板這類又苦又臟的工作卻不予置評。
Shakespeare said, "Our praises are our wages." Since so often praise is the only wage a housewife receives, surely she of all people should get her measure.
莎士比亞說過：“對我們的稱贊就是給予我們的報酬。”既然在很多情況下，稱贊是家庭主婦得到的唯一報酬，因此，在所有的人中，她理應得到自己的一份贊揚。
Mothers know instinctively that for children an ounce of praise is worth a pound of scolding.
母親們本能地知道，對孩子們說來，一句贊揚抵得上十句責罵。
Still, we're not always as perceptive as we might be about applying the rule.
然而對于運用這一規律我們的感覺并非一直都很敏銳。
One day I was criticizing my children for squabbling. "Can you never play peacefully?" I shouted.
有一天，我因為孩子們在爭吵而批評他們：“你們就永遠不能安安靜靜地玩耍嗎?”我大聲說道。
Susanna looked at me quizzically. "Of course we can," she said. "But you don't notice us when we do."
蘇珊娜疑惑地看著我。“我們當然能，”她說。“可安安靜靜玩耍時，你卻不注意我們。”
Teachers agree about the value of praise.
對贊揚的重要性教師們的意見是一致的。
