Companionship of Books以书为伴

By Samuel Smiles

A man may usually be known by the books he reads as well as by the company he keeps; for there is a companionship of books as well as of men; and one should always live in the best company, whether it be of books or of men.

通常看一个人可知道他的为人,以及所阅读的书物以类聚,因为有一个人为伴,也有人以书为伴,朋友,我们都应该以最好的陪伴,无论是书友还是的人。

A good book may be among the best of friends. It is the same today that it always was, and it will never change. It is the most patient and cheerful of companions. It does not turn its back upon us in times of adversity or distress. It always receives us with the same kindness; amusing and instructing us in youth, and comforting and consoling us in age.

一本好书就像是一个最好的朋友。它始终不渝,过去如此,现在仍然如此,永远不会改变。它是最有耐心、最令人愉快的伴侣。它不背弃我们临到我们身处逆境,还是痛苦。它友善款待我们﹐始终如一很有趣,也教导我们,在青年时死亡、与慰解我们的年龄。

Men often discover their affinity to each other by the mutual love they have for a book just as two persons sometimes discover a friend by the admiration which both entertain for a third. There is an old proverb, ‘Love me, love my dog.” But there is more wisdom in this:” Love me, love my book.” The book is a truer and higher bond of union. Men can think, feel, and sympathize with each other through their favorite author. They live in him together, and he in them.

男人经常发现彼此之间亲密无间的相互爱为一本书正如两个人有时发现朋友共同仰慕另外一人而为娱乐的三分之一。古谚说:“爱我,也爱我的狗。”但有更多的智慧在这个:“爱我,爱我的书。”这本书是真实和高雅的联系纽带。人们能思考、感觉和彼此同情通过他们最喜爱的作家。他们住在他里面、他也住在一起。