财富精英励志演讲17：请追随自己的梦(6)

 　　My Dad was valedictorian of Flint Mandeville High School class of 1956 about 90 kids. I happened across his graduating speech recently, and it blew me away. 53 years ago my Dad said: "We are entering a changing world, one of automation¹ and employment change where education is an economic necessity. We will have increased periods of time to do as we wish,as our work week and retirement² age continue to decline³ and we wish that were true. We shall take part in, or witness, developments in science, medicine, and industry that we can only dream of today. It is said that the future of any nation can be determined⁴ by the care and preparation given to its youth.

　　我父亲曾作为学生代表在毕业典礼上致辞。我最近看到他的毕业演讲，震住了。他说，这是一个瞬息万变的时代，一个科学技术和人才就业在不断变革的时代，教育成为发展的必需品。我们有更多的时间做想做的事，因为工时减少，退休提前，我们期待这一刻的到来。参与或见证科学、医学、工业的飞速发展。人们说，一个国家的未来取决于对年轻人培养。

　　If all the youths of America were as fortunate in securing an education as we have been, then the future of the United States would be even more bright than it is today. "If my Dad were alive today, the thing I think he would be most happy about is that Lucy and I have a baby in the hopper. I think he would have been annoyed that I hadn't gotten my Ph.D. yet. Thanks, Michigan!

　　如果所有美国青年能像我们一样接受教育，美国的前景会更加光明；如果父亲还在世，他会为即将出世的小孙子而高兴，也我没获得博士学位而揪心。感谢密歇根大学！

　　Dad was so full of insights⁵, of excitement about new things, that to this day, I often wonder what he would think about some new development. If he were here today. Well, it would be one of the best days of his life. He'd be like a kid in a candy store. For a day, he'd be young again. Many of us are fortunate enough to be here with family. Some of us have dear friends and family to go home to. And who knows, perhaps some of you, like Lucy and I, are dreaming about future families of your own. Just like me, your families brought you here, and you brought them here.

　　他对于新事物总有着敏锐的观察，并充满热情。我时常幻想，他会如何看待现在的变化。如果他还在，这会是他人生中最美好的时光。他会像在糖果店的孩子那样开心，我们大部分人都很幸运，有家人为伴，有朋友相随，可能有些人正在憧憬和另一半的未来。当初家人带你来此读书，如今他们见证你毕业。

　　Please keep them close and remember: they are what really matters in life.Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Lucy. And thank you, all, very much.

　　请务必珍惜！记住——他们才是你们生命中最重要的人！谢谢你，妈妈！谢谢你，Lucy！谢谢大家！

1 automation   

n.自动化（技术），自动操作

参考例句：

• Automation will mean the loss of many jobs in this factory.自动化将意味着这个工厂要减少许多工作职位。
• Automation has helped to increase production.自动化促进了生产的发展。

2 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

3 decline   

n.衰微，跌落，下降；vt.使降低，婉谢；vi.下降，衰落，偏斜

参考例句：

• I must decline to show favour to any of the candidates.我必须拒绝偏袒任何一位候选人。
• The birthrate is on the decline.出生率在下降。

4 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

5 insights   

洞察力( insight的名词复数 )； 洞悉； 领悟； 顿悟

参考例句：

• This is a book full of profound, original and challenging insights. 这本书充满了深刻、新颖、令人深思的见解。
• Because his judgement was prudent, his insights were central to any consultation. 因为他考虑问题很慎重，所以他的意见在每次磋商时都最受重视。