每日英语：A Straight Wall Is Hard to Build (1)

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　　A Straight Wall Is Hard to Build (1)
        　　如果所有人——也包括我自己——都更新或重铸自己的人格，这应该是有益于人类的。这也许仅仅是抹去粗糙的边缘或丢弃固有的模式，从而显露出不平整，有时则需要拿走支撑物，完全靠自己站立。不论何种情况，只要我们有人树立榜样，其他人就会效仿，结果就应该是好的。对此我深信不疑。
        　　A Straight Wall Is Hard to Build
        　　by Lou R. Crandall
        　　人格的力量
        　　卢.R.克兰德尔
        　　As I try to outline my thoughts, the subject becomes more and more difficult. I have many basic beliefs but as I try to pick and choose it seems to me that they all can be summarized in the word "character." Obviously, what you believe is a fundamental thing. There can be no fanfare, no embellishments. It must be honest.
        　　我努力清理思路时，主题变得越来越难讲述。我有诸多信仰，但试图挑选时，似乎都可用“人格”一词概括。显然，一个人的信仰是根本，无需炫耀，无需修饰，是什么就是什么。
        　　An architect once told me that the most difficult structure to design was a simple monumental shaft. The proportions must perfect to be pleasing. The hardest thing to build is a plain straight wall. The dimensions must be absolute. In either case there is no ornamentation to hide irregularities, no moldings to cover hidden defects and no supports to strengthen concealed weaknesses.
        　　一位建筑师告诉我，最难设计的建筑是一尊简单的纪念柱，比例必须完美无缺，赏心悦目;最难砌的是一堵简朴笔直的墙，尺寸必须一丝不差。在这两种情况下，都无法用修饰掩盖不平整，以造型遮盖暗藏的缺陷，以支撑物来加固不牢的根基。