第31章品格的重要性
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第31章品格的重要性
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chap. 31 - Importance of Character
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能从今世带入来生的唯一财富－－按照上帝的形像塑造的品格，乃是我们能从今世带入来生的唯一财富。凡在今世遵循置基督教诲的人，必将他们的每一项属灵成就带到他们的天家去。在天上我们要继续进步。所以在今生培养品格是多么重要！（一）{CG 161.1}[1]
§4
The Only Treasure Taken From This World.--A character formed according to the divine likeness is the only treasure that we can take from this world to the next. Those who are under the instruction of Christ in this world will take every divine attainment with them to the heavenly mansions. And in heaven we are continually to improve. How important, then, is the development of character in this life. {CG 161.1}[1]
§5
真正的品格是心灵的特质－－智力和天资并不是品格，因为品格败坏的人也往往也拥有这些秉赋。名誉也不是品格。真正的品格乃是心灵的特质，表现在行为上。（二）{CG 161.2}[2]
§6
True Character a Quality of the Soul.--Mental ability and genius are not character, for these are often possessed by those who have the very opposite of a good character. Reputation is not character. True character is a quality of the soul, revealing itself in the conduct. {CG 161.2}[2]
§7
美好的品格是比金银更贵重的资本。它决不受经济恐慌或者银行倒闭的影响。当地上万物尽都扫除的日子，它必为你带来丰富的收益。各人都应设法造就正直、坚定和恒心的美德，因为它会给人带来不可战胜的能力——这种能力使他秉公行义，抵挡罪恶，经得起艰难。（三）{CG 161.3}[3]
§8
A good character is a capital of more value than gold or silver. It is unaffected by panics or failures, and in that day when earthly possessions shall be swept away, it will bring rich returns. Integrity, firmness, and perseverance are qualities that all should seek earnestly to cultivate; for they clothe the possessor with a power which is irresistible--a power which makes him strong to do good, strong to resist evil, strong to bear adversity. {CG 161.3}[3]
§9
两种品质－－品格的坚强在于两个方面——意志的毅力和自制的能力。许多青年人误以为强烈而不加控制的情感就是坚强品格的标志。但事实上，一个为其情感所支配的人乃是一个软弱的人。人真正的伟大和高尚在于他管理自己情感的能力，而不是他的情感管理他的程度。最刚强的人在受到屈辱时仍能控制自己的情感而赦免他的仇敌。（四）{CG 161.4}[4]
§10
Its Two Essential Elements.--Strength of character consists of two things--power of will and power of self-control. Many youth mistake strong, uncontrolled passion for strength of character; but the truth is that he who is mastered by his passions is a weak man. The real greatness and nobility of the man is measured by his powers to subdue his feelings, not by the power of his feelings to subdue him. The strongest man is he who, while sensitive to abuse, will yet restrain passion and forgive his enemies. {CG 161.4}[4]
§11
比外表的炫耀更重要－－若是人们认为年轻人拥有美好的品格和亲切的性情，象他们在服装和行为上效法世界的时尚那么重要，我们就会看到今日在有一个人的地方，有数百人预备好登上人生的舞台，对社会发挥一种高尚的感化力。（五）{CG 162.1}[5]
§12
More Necessary Than Outward Show.--If it were considered as important that the young possess a beautiful character and amiable disposition as it is that they imitate the fashions of the world in dress and deportment, we would see hundreds where there is one today coming upon the stage of active life prepared to exert an ennobling influence upon society. {CG 162.1}[5]
§13
培养品格是终生的工作——培养品格是终生的工作，关系到永恒。如果大家都认识到这一点，认识到我们每一个人正在决定自己的永生或永死的命运，情况就会多么不同啊！人将会以何等不同的方式来利用这段宽容的时期！世上将会出现何等不同的品格啊！（六）{CG 162.2}[6]
§14
Its Development Is the Work of a Lifetime.--The formation of character is the work of a lifetime, and it is for eternity. If all could realize this, if they would awake to the thought that we are individually deciding our own destiny for eternal life or eternal ruin, what a change would take place! How differently would this probationary time be occupied, and what different characters would fill our world! {CG 162.2}[6]
§15
发育与生长－－种子的萌芽代表属灵生命的开始。植物的发芽生长，乃是品格发展的美好像征。没有生长，就没有生命。植物必须生长，否则就会死亡。它的生长是没有声息，不易察觉，而又继续不断的。品格的发展也是这样。我们生命长进的每一个阶段都可以是完全的。但如果要实现上帝对于我们的旨意，我们就必须不断地长进。（七）{CG 162.3}[7]
§16
Development and Growth.--The germination of the seed represents the beginning of spiritual life, and the development of the plant is a figure of the development of character. There can be no life without growth. The plant must either grow or die. As its growth is silent and imperceptible, but continuous, so is the growth of character. At every stage of development our life may be perfect; yet if Gods purpose for us is fulfilled, there will be constant advancement. {CG 162.3}[7]
§17
人生的收获－－生命的收获乃是品格。决定今世和来生命运的也是品格。庄稼是所撒种子的繁衍。每一粒种子结实都“各从其类。”我们身上的品性也是如此。自私自利、专爱自己、自尊自负和自我放纵，都会繁殖开来，结局就是困苦和灭亡。“顺着情欲撒种的，必从情欲收败坏；顺着圣灵撒种的，必从圣灵收永生”（加6:8）。仁爱、同情和良善所结的乃是有福的果子。这是永不朽坏的收获。（八）{CG 162.4}[8]
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It Is the Harvest of Life.--The harvest of life is character, and it is this that determines destiny, both for this life and for the life to come. The harvest is a reproduction of the seed sown. Every seed yields fruit after its kind. So it is with the traits of character we cherish. Selfishness, self-love, self-esteem, self-indulgence, reproduce themselves; and the end is wretchedness and ruin. He that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Galatians 6:8. Love, sympathy, and kindness yield fruitage of blessing, a harvest that is imperishable. {CG 162.4}[8]
§19
基督教最大的凭据－－基督徒母亲如果能向社会输送品格正直、原则坚定和道德健全的儿女，她们就是做了最重要的传道工作。她们的儿女受过充分的教育，能承担社会的责任。这是基督教能提供给世界的最大凭据。（九）{CG 163.1}[9]
§20
The Greatest Evidence of Christianity.--If Christian mothers will present to society children with integrity of character, with firm principles and sound morals, they will have performed the most important of all missionary labors. Their children, thoroughly educated to take their places in society, are the greatest evidence of Christianity that can be given to the world. {CG 163.1}[9]
§21
受过适当训练的儿童的影响－－交给人类的工作，没有比塑造品格更为高尚的了。我们不仅要教育儿童，还要训练他们。有谁能预料一个成长中的儿童或青少年的前途呢？惟愿你们尽最大的努力培养儿女。一个在真理原则上受过正确训练，有敬爱上帝的观念交织在品格中的儿童，在今世有无法估计的行善能力。（十）{CG 163.2}[10]
§22
The Influence of One Child Properly Trained.-- No higher work was ever committed to mortals than the shaping of character. Children are not only to be educated, but trained as well; and who can tell the future of a growing child, or youth? Let the greatest care be bestowed upon the culture of your children. One child, properly disciplined in the principles of truth, who has the love and fear of God woven through the character, will possess a power for good in the world that cannot be estimated. {CG 163.2}[10]