英語精美散文三篇

the value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them; a man may live long, yet get little from life. 下面是有英語精美散文，歡迎參閱。

英語精美散文：祈禱之手

The true story behind a well-known piece of art:

德國藝術大師Albrecht Durer有一幅名畫“祈禱之手”，這幅畫的背後有一則愛與犧牲的故事。

Back in the fifteenth century, in a tiny village near Nuremberg, lived a family with eighteen children. Eighteen! In order merely to keep food on the table for this mob, the father and head of the household, a goldsmith by profession, worked almost eighteen hours a day at his trade and any other paying chore he could find in the neighborhood. Despite their seemingly hopeless condition, two of Albrecht Durer the Elder's children had a dream. They both wanted to pursue their talent for art, but they knew full well that their father would never be financially able to send either of them to Nuremberg to study at the Academy

十五世紀時，在德國的一個小村莊裡，住了一個有十八個孩子的家庭。父親是一名冶金匠，為了維持一家生計，他每天工作十八個小時。生活儘管窘迫逼人，然而這個家庭其中兩個孩子卻有一個同樣的夢想。他們兩人都希望可以發展自己在藝術方面的天份。不過他們也瞭解，父親無法在經濟上供他們倆到紐倫堡藝術學院讀書。

After many long discussions at night in their crowded bed, the two boys finally worked out a pact. They would toss a coin. The loser would go down into the nearby mines and, with his earnings, support his brother while he attended the academy. Then, when that brother who won the toss completed his studies, in four years, he would support the other brother at the academy, either with sales of his artwork or, if necessary, also by laboring the mines.

晚上，兩兄弟在床上經過多次討論後，得出結論：以擲銅板決定──勝者到藝術學院讀書，敗者則到附近的礦場工作賺錢;四年後，在礦場工作的那一個再到藝術學院讀書，由學成畢業那一個賺錢支援。如果需要，可能也要到礦場工作。

They tossed a coin on a Sunday morning after church. Albrecht Durer won the toss and went off to Nuremberg. Albert went down into the dangerous mines and, for the next four years, financed his brother, whose work at the academy was almost an immediate sensation. Albrecht's etchings, his woodcuts, and his oils were far better than those of most of his professors, and by the time he graduated, he was beginning to earn considerable fees for his commissioned works.

星期日早上做完禮拜，他們擲了銅板，結果，弟弟Albrecht Durer勝出，去了紐倫堡藝術學院。哥哥Albert則去了危險的礦場工作，四年來一直為弟弟提供經濟支援。Albrecht在藝術學院表現很突出，他的油畫簡直比教授的還要好。到畢業時，他的作品已經能賺不少錢了。

When the young artist returned to his village, the Durer family held a festive dinner on their lawn to celebrate Albrecht's triumphant homecoming. After a long and memorable meal, punctuated with music and laughter, Albrecht rose from his honored position at the head of the table to drink a toast to his beloved brother for the years of sacrifice that had enabled Albrecht to fulfill his ambition. His closing words were, "And now, Albert, blessed brother of mine, now it is your turn. Now you can go to Nuremberg to pursue your dream, and I will take care of you."

在這位年輕的藝術家返回家鄉的那一天，家人為他準備了盛宴，慶祝他學成歸來。當漫長而難忘的宴席快要結束時，伴隨著音樂和笑聲，亞爾伯起 身答謝敬愛的哥哥幾年來對他的支援，他說：“現在輪到你了，親愛的哥哥，我會全力支援你到紐倫堡藝術學院攻讀，實現你的夢想!”

All heads turned in eager expectation to the far end of the table where Albert sat, tears streaming down his pale face, shaking his lowered head from side to side while he sobbed and repeated, over and over, "No ."

所有的目光都急切地轉移到桌子的另一端，坐在那裡的Albert雙淚直流，只見他垂下頭，邊搖頭邊重複說著：“不……不……”

Finally, Albert rose and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He glanced down the long table at the faces he loved, and then, holding his hands close to his right cheek, he said softly, "No, brother. I cannot go to Nuremberg. It is too late for me. Look... look what four years in the mines has done to my hands! The bones in every finger have been smashed at least once, and lately I have been suffering from arthritis so badly in my right hand that I cannot even hold a glass to return your toast, much less make delicate lines on parchment or canvas with a pen or a brush. No, brother ... for me it is too late."　　終於，Albert站了起來他，擦乾臉頰上的淚水，看了看長桌兩邊他所愛的親友們的臉，把雙手移近右臉頰，說：“不，弟弟，我上不了紐倫堡藝術學院了。太遲了。看看我的雙手──四年來在礦場工作，毀了我的手，關節動彈不得，現在我的手連舉杯為你慶賀也不可能，何況是揮動畫筆或雕刻刀呢?不，弟弟……已經太遲了……”

More than 450 years have passed. By now, Albrecht Durer's hundreds of masterful portraits, pen and silver-point sketches, watercolors, charcoals, woodcuts, and copper engravings hang in every great museum, but the odds are great that you, like most people, are familiar with only one of Albrecht Durer's works. More than merely being familiar with it, you very well may have a reproduction hanging in your home or office.

四百五十多年過去了，Albrecht Durer有成千上百部的傑作流傳下來，他的速寫、素描、水彩畫、木刻、銅刻等可以在世界各地博物館找到;然而，大多數人最為熟悉的，卻是其中的一件作品。也許，你的家裡或者辦公室裡就懸掛著一件它的複製品。

One day, to pay homage to Albert for all that he had sacrificed, Albrecht Durer painstakingly drew his brother's abused hands with palms together and thin fingers stretched skyward. He called his powerful drawing simply "Hands," but the entire world almost immediately opened their hearts to his great masterpiece and renamed his tribute of love "The Praying Hands."

為了補償哥哥所做的犧牲，表達對哥哥的敬意，一天，Albrecht Durer下了很大的工夫把哥哥合起的粗糙的雙手刻了下來。他把這幅偉大的作品簡單地稱為“雙手”，然而，全世界的人都立刻敞開心扉，瞻仰這幅傑作，把這幅愛的作品重新命名為“祈禱之手”。

The next time you see a copy of that touching creation, take a second look. Let it be your reminder, if you still need one, that no one -no one ever makes it alone!

下次當你看到這幅感人的作品，仔細看一下。如果你也需要這麼一幅畫，就讓它成為你的提醒，沒有人──沒有人能單槍匹馬地獲得成功!。

英語精美散文：抓住生命中的那顆星

Catch the star that holds your destiny, the one that forever twinkles within your heart. Take advantage of precious opportunities while they still sparkle before you. Always believe that your ultimate goal is attainable as long as you commit yourself to it.

Though barriers may sometimes stand in the way of your dreams, remember that your destiny is hiding behind them. Accept the fact that not everyone is going to approve of the choices you've made. Have faith in your judgment. Catch the star that twinkles in your heart and it will lead you to your destiny's path. Follow that pathway and uncover the sweet sunrises that await you.

Take pride in your accomplishments, as they are stepping stones to your dreams. Understand that you may make mistakes, but don't let them discourage you. Value your capabilities and talents for they are what make you truly unique. The greatest gifts in life are not purchased, but acquired through hard work and determination. Find the star that twinkles in your heart? For you alone are capable of making your brightest dreams come true. Give your hopes everything you've got and you will catch the star that holds your destiny.

當生命中的那顆星在你內心閃耀的時候，要學會把握它，永遠相信只要自己持之以恆，就一定能夠實現自己心中的夢想。

儘管通往夢想的道路上總有坎坷，你需要記住的是，你的命運就隱藏在那困難背後。學會接受這樣的事實：不是每一個人都贊同你的選擇。你要堅定自己的判斷走下去。捕捉住那顆在你內心閃耀的星吧，它將引領你抵達自己的命運之路。沿那條路走下去，你就會發現那屬於自己的美麗日出。

為自己的成績自豪，因為它們是你通往夢想的階梯。要知道你自己也會犯錯誤，但是可別因此而氣餒。正確評價自己的能力，是它們令你與眾不同。生活裡最豐厚的禮物不是買來的，而是通過艱苦的努力和決心獲得的。找到在你內心閃耀的那顆星吧，雖然你獨自一人，但也有能力實現你最輝煌的夢想。對即得的懷抱希望並抓住那顆掌控你命運的星吧。

英語精美散文：如何做一名好聽眾

When I first went to London as a student I sat alone during parties with my glass of wine. I hoped people would think that someone might come up to me and say, “Excuse me! I hope you won’t mind my coming up to you like this, I don’t want to interrupt your thoughts… but really, you are the only interesting looking person in the room! May I talk to you?”

It never happened!

Here is some advice if you would like to be a good conversationalist: be an attentive listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves. To be interesting, be interested! Ask questions that other people will enjoy answering. Encourage hem to talk about themselves and what they have done.

Remember that the people you are talking to are a hundred times more interested in themselves and their problems than they are in you and your problems. A person’s toothache means more to that person than a famine in China which kills 1 million people. A pain in one’s arm interests one more than 40 earthquake in Africa. Think of that the next time you start a conversation.

Diogenes, the Greek philosopher who is supposed to have lived in a barrel, said, “The reason why we have two ears and only one mouth is so that we may listen more and talk less!”

Do you know how to get on with people? Do you ever feel shy? What situation makes you shy? Do you sometimes feel as if you don’t know how to interest and amuse people and have conversations with them? Do you search desperately in your head for something to say? Do people find an excuse to leave you as soon as they can?

Try listening! Here are some more recommendations about listening: (A neighbor of mine talking about her child) ‘One evening last week I was sitting with Hannah, and she said to me, “You are a marvelous mum!” And I said, “Well do you say that suddenly?” And she said, “Well, although you are always busy you always stop what you are doing to listen to me.”’(From How to Talk your Way to Success in Selling) ‘You have to force your buyer to talk … to enter the conversation… if you expect to talk your way to successful sale. The only way you can do this is to stop talking yourself and listen.’

“Give every man thine ear, but few thy voice.” (From Hamlet)

Airline employees are taught how to listen to complaints. If they are able to show sympathy and to listen long enough the passenger’s problem will begin to seem less important.

Psychologists, counselors and doctors also know that listening is part of their job. If they listen with care and concern the patient may even solve the problem! They are professional listeners. Here is some advice they give.

I: Show the other person that you are listening.

II: Look at them.

III: Smile and nod quite often.

IV: and shake you head or raise your eyebrows if you don’t follow what they are saying.

V: Don’t tap your foot because this will show impatience.

VI: Don’t look at your watch unless you really have to know the time, (and then you should tell the other person why you need to know the time). If you show impatience then the other person will lose the moment of friendship which they are offering.

A good listener has magic! A good listener has the ability to make people feel good, and is as valuable at a party as a good talker. But just listening isn’t enough. One should listen intelligently by trying to find out what the other person would really like to communicate.

第一次去倫敦的時候，我還是個學生。參加派對的時候，我自己獨自一個人坐在中間，品著自己的葡萄酒。我希望有人會走到我面前說：“打擾了，我希望您不會介意我這樣冒昧地走到您面前，我不想打擾您……可您確實是這個房間裡唯一一位看起來很有趣的人!我能和您聊會嗎?”

可這從未發生過!

如果你想成為一名優秀的會話者，這裡有一些建議：作一名忠實的聽眾;鼓勵他人談論自己;要讓別人對自己感興趣，首先要對別讓感興趣。要問別人樂意回答的問題;鼓勵他們談論自己和介紹他們都做過什麼事。

記住，和你談話的人，他們對自己和他們問題的興趣要比對你和你的問題高一百倍。對一個人來說，他的牙痛要遠比在中國有一百萬人被餓死的饑荒還要重大。一個人胳膊上的疼痛要比在非洲發生四十幾次地震還要讓人關注。

希臘哲學家Diogenes(有人說他曾經住過桶裡)說：“我們人類有兩隻耳朵和一張嘴的原因就是我們人類要多聽少說!”

你知道怎樣和人打交道嗎? 你感到害羞過嗎?什麼場合讓你害羞了?你時常感到自己不知道該怎樣引起別人對你的興趣，不知道該這樣和別人開玩笑，不知道該怎樣和他們交談嗎?你總是絞盡腦汁地想找點話說嗎?有人找藉口想盡快離開你嗎?

儘量去聽別人說話!這裡有一些關於聽別人說話的建議。(我的一位鄰居在談論他的孩子)上週的一天晚上，我和漢娜坐在一起，她對我說：“你真是位了不起的母親!” 我說：“你是突然說這話的吧?” 她說：“哎呀，儘管你總是很忙，可你總是能夠停下幹你手頭的活聽我說話。”

“要多聽少說。”(哈姆雷特)

航空工作人員要經過培訓如何去聽抱怨，如果他們能表示出同情，並且能夠耐心聽聽旅客的問題，那麼他們的問題就不會那麼嚴重。

心理學家、諮詢人員和醫生也都知道聽是他們工作的一部分。

I: 讓別人感到你在聽他們說話。

II: 注視對方。

III: 常常面帶微笑，頻頻點頭表示你聽懂了對方。

IV: 如果不懂就搖搖頭或者皺皺眉，讓對方知道調整講話內容。

V: 別用腳敲地板，免得別人誤會你聽得不耐煩了。

VI: 別看手錶，除非你確實需要知道時間(看的話你需要告訴其他人你看時間的原因)。如果你表現出不耐心的話，對方也回將友誼收回來。

好的聽眾很有魔力!一個好的聽眾要有讓人感覺舒服的本領，好的聽眾在參加派對時與一個優秀的說話者同等重要。但是隻是一味的聽是不夠的，你要聰明地聽，並且明白對方是在傳達什麼資訊。