2011 英一翻译
with its theme that “mind is the master weaver,” creating our inner character and outer circumstances, the book as a man thinketh by james allen is an in-depth exploration of the central idea of self-help writing.
(46) allen’s contribution was to take an assumption we all share – that because we are not robots we therefore control our thoughts – and reveal its erroneous nature. because most of us believe that mind is separate from matter
, we think that thoughts can be hidden and made powerless; this allows us to think one way and act another. however, allen believed that the unconscious mind generates as much action as the conscious mind, and (47) while we may be able to sustain the illusion of control through the conscious mind alone, in reality we are continually faced with a question: “why cannot i make myself do this or achieve that?”
since desire and will are damaged by the presence of thoughts that do not accord with desire, allen concluded: “we do not attract what we want, but what we are.” achievement happens because you as a person embody the external achievement; you don’t “get” success but become it. there is no gap between mind and matter.
part of the fame of allen’s book is its contention that “circumstances do not make a person, they reveal him.” (48) this seems a justification for neglect of those in need, and a rationalization of exploitation, of the superiority of those at the top and the inferiority of those at the bottom.
this, however, would be a knee-jerk reaction to a subtle argument. each set of circumstances, however bad, offers a unique opportunity for growth. if circumstances always determined the life and prospects of people, then humanity would never have progressed. in fact, (49) circumstances seem to be designed to bring out the best in us, and if we feel that we have been “wronged” then we are unlikely to begin a conscious effort to escape from our situation. nevertheless, as any biographer knows, a person’s early life and its conditions are often the greatest gift to an individual.
the sobering aspect of allen’s book is that we have no one else to blame for our present condition except ourselves. (50) the upside is the possibilities contained in knowing that everything is up to us; where before we were experts in the array of limitations, now we become authorities of what is possible.
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knee jerk = automatic 本能的（反应），这个词的本意是：膝跳反射
以下译文两个版本都可以，做到第一个版本翻译这块就算合格了。第二个版本更符合中文习惯，只是为了方便理解，不必强求。
(46) allen’s contribution /was to take an assumption /we all share /– that because we are not robots we therefore control our thoughts – /and reveal its erroneous nature.
46. 艾伦的贡献在于，他研究了一个我们每个人都认同的假设——因为我们不是机器人，所以能控制自己的思想——并揭示了它的错误本质。
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艾伦的贡献在于，他研究了一个我们每个人都认同的假设，并揭示了其错误本质。这个假设就是：我们不是机器人，所以能控制自己的思想。
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我们每个人都认为：我们不是机器人，所以能控制自己的思想。艾伦的贡献就在于他研究了这个假设，并揭示了它的错误本质。
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(47) while we may be able to /sustain the illusion of control / through the conscious mind alone, in reality/ we are continually faced with/ a question:/ “why cannot i make myself do this or achieve that?”
47. 尽管我们也许能够仅通过意识来维持“控制”的错觉，但实际上，我们会不断遭遇/面临这样一个问题：“为什么我无法控制自己做这件事或完成那件事呢?”
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(48) this seems /a justification for neglect of those in need,/ and a rationalization of exploitation, /of the superiority of those at the top and/ the inferiority of those at the bottom.
48. 这似乎不仅是对“忽视需要 助的人”这一行为的辩护/正名，还是对剥削、社会顶层的优越和社会底层的卑劣这三样东西的合理化。
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这样的论点不仅像是在为“忽视弱势群体”这一行为辩护，似乎还合理化了剥削、顶层精英的优越以及底层人民的卑劣。
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(49) circumstances /seem to be designed /to bring out the best in us,/ and if we feel /that we have been “wronged” /then we are unlikely to begin a conscious effort /to escape from our situation.
49. 环境似乎是为了带出我们最好的一面而设计的。如果我们觉得自己已经被环境“不公对待”，那我们就不太可能有意识地努力脱离目前的处境。
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环境仿佛就是为了激发我们最大潜能而设计的，但如果我们认为身处当下的环境是“命运不公”，那么我们就不太可能有目的地努力摆脱目前的处境。
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he is totally dedicated and brings out the best in his pupils.
他全身心地投入，最大限度地激发学生的潜能。
！：这里的and 表示转折
