美國人眼中的道德觀念(2)

美國人眼中的道德觀念

One of the most basic moral values for Americans is honesty.The well-known legend about George Washington and the cherry tree teaches this value clearly.Little George cut down his father"s favorite cherry tree while trying out his new hatchet.When his father asked him about it,George said,"I cannot tell a lie.I did it with my hatchet."Instead of punishment,George received praise for telling the truth.Sometimes American honesty-being open and direct-can offend people.But Americans still believe that "honesty is the best policy."

　　Another virtue Americans respect is perseverance.Remember Aesop"s fable about the turtle and the rabbit that had a race?The rabbit thought he could win easily,so he took a nap.But the turtle finally won because he did not give up.Another story tells of a little train that had to climb a steep hill.The hill was so steep that the little train had a hard time trying to get over it.But the train just kept pulling,all the while saying,"I think I can,I think I can."At last,the train was over the top of the hill."I thought I could,I thought I could,"chugged the happy little train.

　　美國人最基本的道德價值之一是誠實。眾所周知的喬治.華盛頓砍櫻桃樹的故事，即將此道德教導地極為清楚。小喬治在試他新斧頭時砍倒了爸爸最心愛的櫻桃樹。當爸爸問他的時候，喬治說，「我不能說謊，我用我的斧頭砍了它。」喬治非但未被懲罰，反而因為誠實而被贊賞。有時候美國人仍然相信「誠實是最上策」。

　　另外一個為美國人所尊崇的美德為堅忍。記得再龜兔賽跑這則伊索寓言嗎?兔子以為可以贏的很輕松，便睡了個午覺，但是烏龜再最后終因不放棄而贏了這場比賽。另一個故事談到一個必須爬過陡峭山頭的小火車，山頭是這么陡，以至于小火車很難爬上去，但是它仍不斷地爬，并不停地說：「我想我能做到，我能做到。」最后，火車終于爬過了山頭，「我就知道我可以。」這個快樂的小火車繼續往前去。

　　Compassion may be the queen of American virtues.The story of "The Good Samaritan"from the Bible describes a man who showed compassion.On his way to a certain city,a Samaritan man found a poor traveler lying on the road.The traveler had been beaten and robbed.The kind Samaritan,instead of just passing by,stopped to help this person in need.Compassion can even turn into a positive cycle.In fall 1992,people in Iowa sent truckloads of water to help Floridians hit by a hurricane.The next summer,during the Midwest flooding,Florida returned the favor.In less dramatic ways,millions of Americans are quietly passing along the kindnesses shown to them.

　　In no way can this brief description cover all the moral values honored by Americans.Courage,responsibility,loyalty,gratitude and many others could be discussed.In fact,Bennett"s bestseller-over 800pages-highlights just 10virtues.Even Bennett admits that he has only scratched the surface.But no matter how long or short the list,moral values are invaluable.They are the foundation of American culture-and any culture.

　　同情心，可能是美國的道德之最了。圣經中的「好撒瑪利亞人」的故事，描述一個流露同情心的人。在這個撒瑪利亞人出發去某城市的途中，看到一個可憐的旅客躺在路旁。這旅客被鞭打、搶劫，這位仁慈的撒瑪利亞人非但沒有視而不見，反而停下來幫助這位有需要的人。同情心還可以變成一個正面循環，在一九九二年的秋天，愛荷華州的居民將好幾輛卡車的水送到受颶風侵襲的佛羅里達州;而就在第二年夏天，當中西部鬧水災的時候，佛州人便投挑報李。數以百萬計的美國人民正用較不醒目的方式回報人們向他們表達的善意。

　　在這么一篇短短的文章里，無論如何也不能將美國人所尊崇的道德述盡。勇氣、責任心、忠誠、感激之心還有許多其它可以討論的。事實上，班奈特最暢銷的書——超過八百頁——只談到了十種美德。即使班奈特也承認他只談到了皮毛而已。但是不論這張道德表是多長或短，道德價值都是無價的。他們是美國文化——和任何其它國家的文化之基礎。