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137 A DEFINITE AIM IN READING
第137课 确定阅读目标
In reading, we do well to propose to ourselves definite ends and purposes.
在读书的时候，我们最好给自己定下一个明确的目标和目的。
The more distinctly we are aware of our own wants and desires in reading, the more definite and permanent will be our acquisitions.
阅读时，我们越是清楚自己在阅读中想知道的和渴望知道的，我们所得到的知识就越持久、越明确。
Hence it is a good rule to ask ourselves frequently,
因此，在读书的时候，我们要养成一个习惯，不断地问自己：
"Why am I reading this book, essay, or poem? or why am I reading it at the present time rather than any other?"
“我为什么要读这本书？为什么要读这篇散文或诗歌？或者我为什么要现在读这本书，而不是在其他时间？”
It may often be a satisfying answer, that it is convenient; that the book happens to be at hand; or that we read to pass away the time.
我们往往可以得到一个令人满意的回答，因为这个时候比较方便阅读，这本书恰好就在手边，或者我们读这本书就是为了打发时间。
Such reasons are often very good, but they ought not always to satisfy us.
这些理由通常都很充分，但它们不会一直让我们感到满意。
Yet the very habit of proposing these questions, however they may be answered,
在阅读之前先思考一下这些问题，或许可以找到答案，
will involve the calling of ourselves to account for our reading, and the consideration of it in the light of wisdom and duty.
这个特别的习惯需要我们问自己想要阅读的原因，而且思考都会使我们更有责任感，使我们更具智慧。
The distinct consciousness of some object at present before us, imparts a manifoldly greater interest to the contents of any volume.
面对这明确的目标并且在有清晰意识的情况下，书中的内容会激起我们极大的兴趣。
It imparts to the reader an appropriate power, a force of affinity,
这种意识会给予读者相应的力量以及吸引力，
by which he insensibly and unconsciously attracts to himself all that has a near or even a remote relation to the end for which he reads.
正是这种吸引力会使读者不知不觉地向着自己预定的目标前进。
Anyone is conscious of this who reads a story with the purpose of repeating it to an absent friend;
任何一个读者，假如他读故事的目的是要将所读的故事内容讲给朋友听，
or an essay or a report with the design of using its facts or arguments in a debate;
或者读一篇论文或报道的目的是为了在辩论中能够引用其经典，
or a poem with the design of reviving its imagery, and reciting its finest passages.
或者读一首诗的目的是为了融入一种意境，诵读最美的诗句，这样的人都可以意识到这一点。
Indeed, one never learns to read effectively until he learns to read in such a spirit, not always, indeed, for a definite end,
事实上，一般来说，一个人如果在阅读的时候毫无目的，那么他就没有什么阅读效果。但事实上也并非总是这样，
yet always with a mind attent to appropriate and retain and turn to the uses of culture, if not to a more direct application.
如果有一个明确的目的，而文化没有得到直接的应用，那样读者的脑海中总会想着文化的用途。
The private history of every self-educated man, from Franklin onwards, attests that they all were uniformly not only earnest but select in their reading,
在富兰克林以前，从每一个自学成才的人的个人经历来看，证明了他们成材都不只是因为刻苦学习，而是他们对书籍具有一定的选择性，
and that they selected their books with distinct reference to the purposes for which they used them.
他们有目的地选择那些对他们有用的书。
Indeed, the reason why self-trained men so often surpass men who are trained by others in the effectiveness and success of their reading,
事实上，那些自学的人之所以在读书方面能比那些接受他人培训的人更有效或者更成功，
is that they know for what they read and study, and have definite aims and wishes in all their dealings with books.
就是因为他们知道读书和学习的目的，他们有自己明确的目标。
The omnivorous and indiscriminate reader, who is at the same time a listless and passive reader,
那些不管什么书都拿来读的读者，同时是一个十分涣散、被动的读者，
however ardent is his curiosity, can never be a reader of the most effective sort.
这主要是他的好奇心在驱使，所以他永远都不会成为一个最有效率的读者。
Another good rule is suggested by the foregoing.
另外一个好方法就是坚持读书。
Always have some solid reading in hand;
手边总是放一本可随时阅读的书。
i.e., some work or author which we carry forward from one day to another, or one hour of leisure to the next, with persistence, till we have finished whatever we have undertaken.
例如，坚持在每天工作闲暇的时候拿出书来读一读，一直坚持到读完为止。
There are many great and successful readers who do not observe this rule, but it is a good rule notwithstanding.
虽然很多成功的读者并没有遵循这一做法，但这无疑是一个非常好的方法。
