英語美文:一位值得紀念的希臘人
以下是小編整理的情感類英語美文欣賞: 一位值得紀念的希臘人,希望對你有所感觸。
Diogenes was a famous Greek philosopher of thefourth century B.C., who established the philosophyof cynicism. He often walked about in the daytimeholding a lighted lantern, peering around as if hewere looking for something. When questioned abouthis odd behavior, he would reply," I am searching foran honest man."
Diogenes held that the good man was self-sufficientand did not require material comforts or wealth. Hebelieved that wealth and possessions constrainedhumanity's natural state of freedom. In keeping withhis philosophy, he was perfectly satisfied with making his home in a large tub discarded fromthe temple of Cybele, the goddess of nature.
This earthen tub, called a pithos, and formerly been used for holding wine or oil for thesacrifices at the temple.
One day, Alexander the Great, conqueror of half the civilized world, saw Diogenes sitting inthis tub in the sunshine. So the king, surrounded by his countries, approached Diogenes andsaid," I am Alexander the Great." The philosopher replied rather contemptuously," I amDiogenes, the Cynic." Alexander then asked him if he could help him in any way." Yes," shotback Diogenes," don't stand between me and the sun." A surprised Alexander then repliedquickly,” If I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes."
提奧奇尼斯是公元前四世紀一位著名的希臘哲學(xué)家,就是他創(chuàng)立了犬儒派哲學(xué)。他經(jīng)常在白天點著燈籠四處走動、張望,像是在找什么東西似的。哪人們問起他這古怪行為時,他會回答說:“我正在尋找正人君子。”
提奧奇尼斯認為好人是自給自足的,不需要物質(zhì)享受和財富。他認為財富、財產(chǎn)束縛了人們天生的自由狀態(tài)。與他的哲學(xué)相一致,他拿一個從別人從自然之母的廟里丟棄的大壇作為自己的家,還對此萬分滿意。這個陶制的大壇叫做圣壇,過去在廟里是用來盛裝祭祀用的酒和油的。一天,征服了半個文明世界的亞歷山大大帝看見提奧奇尼斯坐在大壇里曬太陽。于是這位君主在大臣們的簇擁下走過去,對提奧奇尼斯說:“我是亞歷山大大帝。”哲學(xué)家相當(dāng)傲慢地回答說:“我是提奧奇尼斯————犬儒學(xué)者。”然后亞歷山大問他是否需要任何幫助。“是的”,提奧奇尼斯駁回道,“別站在我和太陽之間。”大吃一驚的亞歷山大繼而迅速回答道:“假如我不是亞歷山大,我就會是提奧奇尼斯。”