2018年6月英语四级听力美文第27篇:How to Grow Old

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　　英语四级听力美文第27篇:How to Grow Old
        　　Psychologically there are two dangers to be guarded against in old age. One
of these is undueabsorption in the past. It does not do to live in memories, in
regrets for the good old days, orin sadness about friends who are dead. One's
thoughts must be directed to the future, and tothings about which there is
something to be done. This is not always easy; one's own past is agradually
increasing weight. It is easy to think to oneself that one's emotions used to be
morevivid than they are, and one's mind more keen. If this is true it should be
forgotten, and if it isforgotten it will probably not be true.
        　　The other thing to be avoided is clinging to youth in the hope of sucking
vigour from itsvitality. When your children are grown up they want to live their
own lives, and if you continueto be as interested in them as you were when they
were young, you are likely to become aburden to them, unless they are unusually
callous. I do not mean that one should be withoutinterest in them, but one's
interest should be contemplative and, if possible, philanthropic, butnot unduly
emotional. Animals become indifferent to their young as soon as their young
canlook after themselves, but human beings, owing to the length of infancy, find
this difficult.
        　　I thing that a successful old age is easiest for those who have strong
impersonal interestsinvolving appropriate activities. It is in this sphere that
long experience is really fruitful, andit is in this sphere that the wisdom born
of experience can be exercised without beingoppressive. It is no use telling
grownup children not to make mistakes, both because they willnot believe you,
and because mistakes are an essential part of education. But if you are one
ofthose who are incapable of impersonal interests, you may find that your life
will be emptyunless you concern yourself with your children and grandchildren.
In that case you must realisethat while you can still render them material
services, you must not expect that they will enjoyyour company.