英语美文赏读（附译文）
01篇：A Better Tomorrow
People often wonder why historians go to so much trouble to prerve millions of books, documents and records.
Why do we have libraries? What good are the documents and history books? Why do we record and save the actions of men, the negotiations1 of government officials and the events during wars?
We do it becau, sometimes, the voice of experience can cau us to stop, look and listen. Sometimes, past records, when understood in the right way, can help us decide what to do and what not to do. If we are ever to create lasting peace, we must ek its origins in human experience and in the records of human history.
From the stories of courage and devotion of men and women, we create the inspirations of youth. History records the suffering, the lf-denial2, the devotion, and the heroic deeds of
people in the past. The records can help us when we are confud and when we really need peace.
The main purpo of history is to create a better world. History gives a warning to tho who promote war, and inspiration to tho who ek peace.
In short, history helps us learn. Yesterday’s records can keep us from repeating yesterday’s mistakes. And from the pieces of mosaic4 asmbled5 by historians come the great murals6 which reprent the progress of mankind.
翻译：
一个更好的明天
人们常常心存疑虑,为什么历史学家要费尽周折地保存数以万计的书籍、文献和记录。
我们为什么要有图书馆呢?这些文献和史书有何用处呢? 我们为什么要记载并保存人类的行为、政府官员的谈判和战争中的事件呢?
我们这么做的原因在于有时候经验之音能促使我们停步、观察和倾听。也因为有时候过去的记载经过正确地诠释,能帮助我们决定何事可为、何事不可为。如果我们想要创造永久的和平,我们就必须从人类的经验以及人类历史的记载中去探索其渊源。
从体现男性和女性勇敢和奉献精神的故事之中,我们获得了青春的启示。英语短文历史记载着人类的一切苦难、克己、忠诚和英勇的事迹。这些记载在我们困惑和渴望和平时能对我们有所帮助。
历史的主要目的是创造一个更加美好的世界。历史对那些力主战争的人给以警告,给予那些寻求和平的人以启示。
简而言之,历史帮助我们学习。昨日的记载可以使我们避免重蹈覆辙。这些历史学家们创作的像马赛克一样色彩缤纷的历史片断汇聚成了代表人类进步的伟大壁画。
02篇：Burning Your Soul Candle
I have a few candles stored in a drawer in my dining room. They’re meant for romantic dinners and special occasions, but since the arrival of our three children they have lain un
noticed among the napkins and other things. They are waiting to be taken out and lit to share their glow with anyone who will take the time to bask in their brilliance.
Are not our souls like tho candles, patiently waiting for someone to come and let us be ourlves? We are all waiting for our own moments to shine; we each have a special light, unmatched by any other.
Candles are made up of wax and a wick; we have bodies, but our esnce lies in our minds and souls. Candles are unique in their colors, shapes and designs. Our life histories and experiences are the backdrops of who we are, but our minds are like candle wicks, and make our passions flame. Unlike the candles in my drawer, who get ud or not ud depending on my whims, we control our own thoughts, and how brightly we will burn or dimly we will shine.
Is your soul candle dimmed by circumstance or lack of passion and direction? Is it hidden in a drawer of stress, worry or rentment? Make a choice to let yourlf shine the way you were meant to shine.
翻译：
点亮心灵的蜡烛
在我餐厅的抽屉里放着几根蜡烛。它们会用于浪漫的晚餐和一些特殊的场合，但是自从我的三个孩子出生之后，它们便被遗忘在餐巾纸和其他杂物之间了。它们一直在等待着被拿出抽屉，被点亮，以和任何一个愿意花费时间去感受它们温暖的人分享那些光亮。
我们的灵魂不也像蜡烛么?耐心地等待有人来发掘我们，让我们发光发亮。我们一直等待着发光发亮的一刻;我们都有自己独特的光亮，是别人所不能匹及的。
蜡烛由蜡状物和蜡烛心组合而成;人类有肉体，而我们的本质却存在于精神和灵魂中。蜡烛有它们独一无二的颜色、形状和图案。我们生命的历史和经历是决定我们是谁的大背景，但是只有我们的心灵才是蜡烛心，使热情形成火焰。与在抽屉里等着别人一时的兴致来决定是否被点燃的蜡烛不同，我们可以决定自己的思想，决定自己能够发光发亮还是黯淡无光。
你心中的那支蜡烛是否因环境或者缺少激情，没有方向感而黯淡无光?它是否藏匿于压力、
担忧和怨恨的抽屉里?做出选择吧，以自己注定的方式去发光。
03篇：Giving Life Meaning
Have you thought about what you want people to say about you after you’re gone? Can you hear the voice saying, “He was a great man.” Or “She really will be misd.” What el do they say?
