英语四级作文 Money and the Meaning of Life(金钱与生命的意义)

 　　Money and the Meaning of Life

　　Recently, a professor of philosophy¹ in the United² States has written a book called Money and the Meanlng of Life. He has discovered that how we deal with money in our day-to-day life has more meaning than we usually think. One of the exercises he asked his students to do is to keep a record of every penny³ they spend for a week.From the way they spend their money, they can see what they

　　really value in life.

　　He says our relation with others often becomes clearly defined⁴ when money enters the picture. You might have a wonderful friendship with somebody and you think that you are very good friends. But you will know him only when you ask him to lend you some money. If he does, it brings something to the relationship that seems stronger than ever before. Or it can suddenly weaken⁵ the relationship if he doesn't. This person may say that he has a certain feeling, but if it is not carried out in the money world, there is something less real about it.

　　People just have an idea of making more and more money, but what is it for? How much do I need for any given purposes in my life7 In his book, the professor uncovered⁶ an important need in modern society: to bring back the idea that money is an instrument rather than the end. Money plays an important role in the material world, but expecting money to give happiness may be missing⁷ the meaning of life.

　　金钱与生命的意义

　　最近，美国一位哲学教授完成了一本名为《金钱与生命的意义》的书。他发现日常生活中人们如何对待金钱所展示出的意义比我们通常认为的更为深远。他让学生们所做的一项练习就是记录下他们一周来所花费的每一分钱。从花钱方式上，他们可以看到在生活中他们真正珍惜的是什么。

　　他说，一旦有金钱介入，通常我们与他人之间的关系就变得易于分辨了。也许你和某个人的友谊亲密无间，你觉得你们是相当不错的朋友。但只有当你向他借钱的时候你才会真正了解他。如果他借钱给你，这带给你们的关系一些什么东西使你们的关系也好像比以往任何时候都更为牢固。如果他不借钱给你，这就会突然削弱你们的关系。这个人可能会说他有某种感情，但如果不在金钱的世界加以实施，这种感情中就有些东西不那么真实。

　　人们只想着要赚越来越多的钱，但赚钱为什么呢?生命中的一个特定目标需要多少钱呢?教授在他的书中揭示了一个现代社会至关重要的需求：找回金钱只是工具而非目的这样一理念。金钱在物质社会中发挥着重要作用，但期望金钱带来快乐也许是对生命意义的误解。

1 philosophy   

n.哲学，人生观，原理

参考例句：

• He believed in the philosophy of Russell.他信奉罗素的哲学。
• I can't sum up his whole philosophy in one sentence.我无法用一句话来概括他的全部人生观。

2 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

3 penny   

n.（英）便士，美分

参考例句：

• I will not lent you a penny.我一便士都不愿借给你。
• Sugar has risen a penny a pound.糖价每磅涨了1便士。

4 defined   

adj 定义的; 清晰的

参考例句：

• These categories are not well defined. 这些类别划分得不太明确。
• The powers of a judge are defined by law. 法官的权限是由法律规定的。

5 weaken   

v.(使)变弱，(使)虚弱

参考例句：

• You can weaken the tea by adding water.你可以加水把茶弄得淡一些。
• We never weaken our efforts in face of difficulties.我们在困难面前从不软化我们的努力。

6 uncovered   

adj.无盖的，未保险的v.揭开…的盖子( uncover的过去式和过去分词 )；揭露，发现

参考例句：

• His head was uncovered. 他光着头。
• A plot to assassinate the banker has been uncovered by the police. 暗杀银行家的密谋被警方侦破了。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 missing   

adj.遗失的，缺少的，失踪的

参考例句：

• Check the tools and see if anything is missing.检点一下工具，看有无丢失。
• All the others are here;he's the only one missing.别人都来了，就短他一个。