小约翰·洛克菲勒：家族的信条
John Davison Rockefeller/小约翰·洛克菲勒
They are the principles on which my wife and I have tried to bring up our family. They are the principles in which my father believed and by which he governed his life. They are the principles，many of them，which I learned at my mother’s knee.
They point the way to usefulness and happiness in life，to courage and peace in death.
If they mean to you what they mean to me，they may perhaps be helpful also to our sons for their guidance and inspiration.
Let me state them：
I believe in the supreme worth of the individual and in his right to life，liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
I believe that every right implies a responsibility；every opportunity，an obligation；every possession，a duty.
I believe that the law was made for man and not man for the law；that government is the servant of the people and not their master.
I believe in the dignity of labor，whether with head or hand；that the world owes no man a living but that it owes every man an opportunity to make a living.
I believe that thrift is essential to well ordered living and that economy is a prime requisite of a sound financial structure，whether in government business or personal affairs.
I believe that truth and justice are fundamental to an enduring social order.
I believe in the sacredness of a promise. That a man’s word should be as good as his bond，that character—not wealth or power or position—is of supreme worth.
I believe that the rendering of useful service is the common duty of mankind and that only in the purifying fire of sacrifice is the dross of selfishness consumed and the greatness of the human soul set free.
I believe in an all-wise and all-loving God，named by whatever name，and that the individual’s highest fulfillment，greatest happiness and widest usefulness are to be found in living in harmony with His will.
I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world；that it alone can overcome hate；that right can and will triumph over might.
These are the principles，however formulated，for which all good men and women throughout the world，irrespective of race or creed，education social position or occupation，are standing，and for which many of them are suffering and dying.
These are the principles upon which alone a new world recognizing the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of God can be established.
这些信条是我和我的夫人在教育儿女时尽力所依照的原则。它们是先父深信不疑的处世立身的原则。其中很多都是我在母亲膝前所学到的原则。
这些信条指出了一条活得快乐有用、死得勇敢安详的道路。
如果这些信条对各位的意义和对我的意义一样的话，那么它们或许也有助于我们的子女从中获得引导和启发。
让我说出这些信条：
我相信个人的价值至高无上，每个人都有生存的权利、自由的权利和追求幸福的权利。
我相信每一项权利都意味着一种责任，每一次机遇都意味着一项义务，每一种占有都意味着一种职责。
我相信法律是为人而制订的，但人却不是为法律而造就的；我相信政府是人民的仆人，而非人民的主人。
我相信无论脑力劳动还是体力劳动都是值得人们尊敬的；世界不会给任何人提供免费的午餐，但它却给每个人一次谋生的机会。
我相信勤俭是井然有序的生活之必需，而节俭是健全的金融机制之根本，无论政府、商务或个人事务皆是如此。
我相信真理和公正对社会的长治久安至关重要。
我相信诺言是神圣的，一言既出，如同契约；我相信具有至高无上价值的是个人品质，而不是财富、权势或地位。
我相信提供有用的服务是人类共同职责，只有在牺牲的炼火中，自私的渣滓才能被消除，人类高尚的灵魂才能发挥出来。
我相信全能全知、大慈大悲的上帝——不管用怎样的称呼；而个人最大的成就、最大的幸福、最大的作为，都必须在和上帝的意志和谐一致的生活中才能找到。
我相信爱是世界上最伟大的事物；唯有爱才能克服仇恨；我相信公理能够而且必将战胜强权。
不管如何表述，上述就是全世界一切善良的人们所信奉的原则，不论其种族、信仰、教育、地位或职业如何，而为了这些原则，许多人正在饱受煎熬，甚至献出生命。
唯有在这些信条的基础上，才能建立起人人亲如兄弟，上帝亲如父辈的新世界。
导读
本篇为1941年7月8日联合服务组织广播节目的一部分，在战争烽火和法西斯势力肆虐之时产生了积极的影响。
单词注解
supreme [sju:5pri:m] adj.最高的，至高无上的
fundamental [7fQndE5mentl] adj.基本的，根本的
enduring [in5djuEriN] adj.持久的，持续的
triumph [5traiEmf] n.胜利
诵读名句
They point the way to usefulness and happiness in life，to courage and peace in death.
I believe that every right implies a responsibility；every opportunity，an obligation；every possession，a duty.
I believe that love is the greatest thing in the world；that it alone can overcome hate；that right can and will triumph over might.
第一章 English Friendship for America
英国人对美国的友情
Charles Dickens/查尔斯·狄更斯
Gentlemen，
