第36章 年幼的优势
§1
第36章 年幼的优势
§2
chap. 36 - Advantage of the Early Years
§3
童年是最重要的时期－－儿童早年的教育，无论多么重视都不算过分。孩童在人生头七年学到的教训，对他品格形成的影响，要超过他以后岁月所学的一切。（一）{CG 193.1}[1]
§4
Early Childhood Is the Most Important Period.-- Too much importance cannot be placed on the early training of children. The lessons that the child learns during the first seven years of life have more to do with forming his character than all that it learns in future years. {CG 193.1}[1]
§5
要从婴孩时期起按照上帝的计划塑造陶冶儿童的品格。要在他心扉初启之时灌注各种美德。（二）{CG 193.2}[2]
§6
From babyhood the character of the child is to be molded and fashioned in accordance with the divine plan. Virtues are to be instilled into his opening mind. {CG 193.2}[2]
§7
父母必须从幼年开始对孩子下工夫，好使孩子在世界将其印记印在其心思意念上之前领受正确的品格印记。（三）{CG 193.3}[3]
§8
The parents work must begin with the child in its infancy, that it may receive the right impress of character ere the world shall place its stamp on mind and heart. {CG 193.3}[3]
§9
最容易受影响的年龄－－在儿童生活的最初几年，他们的心最容易受到善或恶的影响。他们在这些年间，朝着善或恶的方向，迈出了决定性的步伐。一方面，他们可能接受许多毫无价值的东西；另一方面，他们也可能接受很多纯洁而宝贵的知识。智慧和真正的知识，是俄斐的金子所买不来的，其价值胜过金银。（四）{CG 193.4}[4]
§10
The Most Susceptible Age.--It is during the first years of a childs life that his mind is most susceptible to impressions either good or evil. During these years decided progress is made in either a right direction or a wrong one. On one hand, much worthless information may be gained; on the other, much solid, valuable knowledge. The strength of intellect, the substantial knowledge, are possessions which the gold of Ophir could not buy. Their price is above gold or silver. {CG 193.4}[4]
§11
最初的印象很难忘记－－婴孩、儿童或青少年都不应该从父亲、母亲或家中的任何成员口中听到一句不耐烦的话；因为他们在很年幼的时候便得到印象，父母今日使他们成了怎样的人，他们明天、后天及以后就会怎样。孩童最初得到的教训很少会忘记。……{CG 193.5}[5]
§12
First Impressions Are Seldom Forgotten.--Neither infants, children, or youth should hear an impatient word from father, mother, or any member of the household; for they receive impressions very early in life, and what parents make them today, they will be tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. The first lessons impressed upon the child are seldom forgotten. . . . {CG 193.5}[5]
§13
在幼年时期留在心中的印象会在以后的年月中看到。这些印象或许会被埋没，但很少会消失。（五）{CG 194.1}[6]
§14
The impressions made on the heart early in life are seen in after years. They may be buried, but they will seldom be obliterated. {CG 194.1}[6]
§15
基础在头三年奠定－－母亲们哪，一定要在儿女一生的头三年正确地训练他们。不要任由他们形成自己的心愿和愿望。母亲必须照看自己的孩子。头三年乃是弯曲嫩枝的时候。母亲们应当明白这段时期的重要性。这正是奠定基础的时候。{CG 194.2}[7]
§16
The Foundation Is Laid in the First Three Years.-- Mothers, be sure that you properly discipline your children during the first three years of their lives. Do not allow them to form their wishes and desires. The mother must be mind for her child. The first three years is the time in which to bend the tiny twig. Mothers should understand the importance attaching to this period. It is then that the foundation is laid. {CG 194.2}[7]
§17
在这些最初教育上缺欠的现象既然屡见不鲜，就要为基督和你们儿女的前途及永恒福利，竭力弥补你们所犯下的错误。你们如果等到孩子三岁才开始教训他们自制和顺服，就困难得多，但仍要立即着手做去。（六）{CG 194.3}[8]
§18
If these first lessons have been defective, as they very often are, for Christs sake, for the sake of your childrens future and eternal good, seek to repair the wrong you have done. If you have waited until your children were three years old to begin to teach them self-control and obedience, seek to do it now, even though it will be much harder. {CG 194.3}[8]
§19
没有一般人所想象的那么困难－－如果从摇篮时期起就教育孩子不能以自己的意志为法律，不可放纵自己的欲念，父母就会免除许多挂虑和忧愁。教育孩子抑制脾气的发作，克服愤恨的表现，并不象一般人所想象的那么困难。（七）{CG 194.4}[9]
§20
Not So Difficult As Generally Supposed.--Much parental anxiety and grief might be saved if children were taught from their cradles that their wills were not to be made law, and their whims continually indulged. It is not so difficult as is generally supposed to teach the little child to stifle its outburst of temper and subdue its fits of passion. {CG 194.4}[9]
§21
这项工作不可耽搁－－许多人忽略了自己对于子女幼年时代的本分，心想等到他们长大些，就要留心压制他们的错误，教育他们行义。但他们实在应当在儿女的襁褓时代做这项工作。父母对儿女娇生惯养，迎合迁就，是不对的；虐待他们也不对。坚定、明确、正直的行动，必可生出最佳的效果。（八）{CG 194.5}[10]
§22
Do Not Postpone This Work.--Many neglect their duty during the first years of their childrens lives, thinking that when they get older, they will then be very careful to repress wrong and educate them in the right. But the very time for them to do this work is when the children are babes in their arms. It is not right for parents to pet and humor their children; neither is it right for them to abuse them. A firm, decided, straightforward course of action will be productive of the best results. {CG 194.5}[10]
§23
当我向父母们指出他们助长了小孩子的不良习惯时，有些父母似乎满不在乎。还有人笑着说:“我可爱的小宝宝，不论做什么，我都舍不得反对他们。他们长大了自然会好起来的。那时他们会羞于发脾气。过于认真和严格对待小孩子不是太好。他们长大了，就会改掉撒谎、欺骗、懒惰、自私等习惯。”母亲们就这样随便地对待这件事，但这不符合上帝的旨意。（九）{CG 195.1}[11]
§24
When I have called attention of parents to the wrong habits which they were encouraging in their very young children, some parents have appeared entirely indifferent; others have said with a smile, Little darlings! I cannot bear to cross them in any way. They will do better when they get older. They will then be ashamed of these passionate outbursts. It is not best to be too particular and strict with the little ones. They will outgrow these habits of telling lies and deceiving and being indolent and selfish. A very easy way indeed for mothers to dispose of the matter, but this does not meet the will of God. {CG 195.1}[11]
§25
挫败撒但控制婴孩的企图－－父母们：你们的失败主要在于没有尽早工作。你们让撒但撒下了第一批的种子，在心田中先入为主。（十）{CG 195.2}[12]
§26
Thwart Satans Effort to Claim Infant Children.-- Parents, you fail generally to begin your work early enough. You let Satan preoccupy the soil of the heart by putting in the first crop of seed. {CG 195.2}[12]
§27
你们有一番工作要做，不要让撒但控制你们的儿女，在他们离开你们的怀抱之前就被他夺走。母亲们：你们要警惕，不要让黑暗的权势控制你们的小孩子。要下决心不让仇敌把黑暗的旗帜插在你们家中。（十一）{CG 195.3}[13]
§28
You have a work to do that Satan shall not gain the control of your children and take them away from you before they are out of your arms. Mothers, you should see to it that the powers of darkness do not control your little ones. You should set your will that the enemy shall not raise his banner of darkness in your home. {CG 195.3}[13]
§29
还要为实际生活作准备－－现在很少有人认真考虑儿童在最初十二至十五年中可以学到多少有关今生和永恒事物的知识。孩子在幼年时不仅要获得书本知识，还要学习实际生活的重要技术，不要因注重前者而忽略了后者。（十二）{CG 195.4}[14]
§30
In Preparing Also for Practical Life.--There are but very few who take time to carefully consider what an amount of knowledge both of temporal and eternal things may be gained by the child during its first twelve or fifteen years. Not only should children in these first years of life be obtaining book knowledge, but they should be learning the arts essential for practical life; the latter should not be neglected for the former. {CG 195.4}[14]
§31
拿破伦的借鉴－－拿破仑·波拿巴的品格大受他孩童时期的训练所影响。不明智的教师激励他喜爱征服，组成模拟军队并让他居首作统帅。就此打下了他斗争与流血生涯的基础。要是同样的关心和努力用来使他成为一个善良的人，使他年轻的心充满福音的精神，他的历史就会多么大不相同啊。（十三）{CG 196.1}[15]
§32
Napoleons Heritage.--The character of Napoleon Bonaparte was greatly influenced by his training in childhood. Unwise instructors inspired him with a love for conquest, forming mimic armies and placing him at their head as commander. Here was laid the foundation for his career of strife and bloodshed. Had the same care and effort been directed to making him a good man, imbuing his young heart with the spirit of the Gospel, how widely different might have been his history. {CG 196.1}[15]
§33
休姆和伏尔泰－－据说怀疑论者休姆早期的生活是本着良心相信上帝的道的。后来他参加了一个辩论社，被指定提出赞同无信仰的论据。他认真恒切地进行了研究，他敏锐活泼的心思便充满了怀疑论的诡辩。不久他便开始相信其迷惑人的教训了，而他后来的全部生活便带上了无信仰的黑暗印记。{CG 196.2}[16]
§34
Hume and Voltaire.--It is said that Hume, the skeptic, was in early life a conscientious believer in the Word of God. Being connected with a debating society, he was appointed to present the arguments in favor of infidelity. He studied with earnestness and perseverance, and his keen and active mind became imbued with the sophistry of skepticism. Erelong he came to believe its delusive teachings, and his whole afterlife bore the dark impress of infidelity. {CG 196.2}[16]
§35
伏尔泰五岁的时候，记住了一首无信仰者的诗，其有害的影响始终无法从他的心中摆脱。他成为撒但的最有效工具之一，引诱人离开上帝。在审判时必有数以千计的人起来，将自己的沦丧归咎于没有信仰的伏尔泰。{CG 196.3}[17]
§36
When Voltaire was five years old, he committed to memory an infidel poem, and the pernicious influence was never effaced from his mind. He became one of Satans most successful agents to lead men away from God. Thousands will rise up in the judgment and charge the ruin of their souls upon the infidel Voltaire. {CG 196.3}[17]
§37
幼年所怀的思想感情，决定每一个青年人的终生历史。早年所养成正直、善良、大丈夫的气概，必成为品格的一部分，常常表现在人一生的行动中。青年人可以凭自己的选择成为君子或小人。他们可以因诚实高尚的行为而美名四扬，也可以因严重的罪行而臭名昭彰。（十四）{CG 196.4}[18]
§38
By the thoughts and feelings cherished in early years every youth is determining his own life history. Correct, virtuous, manly habits formed in youth will become a part of the character and will usually mark the course of the individual through life. The youth may become vicious or virtuous, as they choose. They may as well be distinguished for true and noble deeds as for great crime and wickedness. {CG 196.4}[18]
§39
哈拿的报偿－－每一位母亲都获得了无可估价的机会和无限宝贵的特权。在先知撒母耳的最初三年生活中，他母亲谆谆教导他分辨善恶。她藉着周围熟悉的事物设法把他的思想引向创造主。为了实现她将儿子奉献给主的心愿，她作出重大的自我牺牲，将孩子交给大祭司以利，以便接受训练在上帝的殿中服务。……他早年的训练使他持守基督徒的正直。哈拿得到了何等大的报赏啊！她的榜样鼓励人忠诚！（十五）{CG 197.1}[19]
§40
Hannahs Reward.--Opportunities of inestimable worth, interests infinitely precious, are committed to every mother. During the first three years of the life of Samuel the prophet, his mother carefully taught him to distinguish between good and evil. By every familiar object surrounding him she sought to lead his thoughts up to the Creator. In fulfillment of her vow to give her son to the Lord, with great self-denial she placed him under the care of Eli the high priest, to be trained for service in the house of God. . . . His early training led him to choose to maintain his Christian integrity. What a reward was Hannahs! And what an encouragement to faithfulness is her example! {CG 197.1}[19]
§41
约瑟怎样保守自己的心灵?－－雅各在约瑟幼年时所给他的教训，提到自己如何坚定地信靠上帝，并屡次向他讲述有关祂慈爱和不断眷顾的宝贵凭据。这是约瑟被卖到拜偶像的民族中时最需要的教训。他在受到考验时就实行这些教训。在最严峻的试炼下，他仰望自己素来所信赖的天父。如果约瑟父亲的教训和榜样不是这样，灵感之笔就不会在圣史的篇章里写下约瑟的品格所显示的正直与美德的故事了。他早年在心中所得到的印象，在他遭遇猛烈的试探时保守了他的心，使他义正词严地说:“我怎能作这大恶，得罪上帝呢”（创39:9）？（十六）{CG 197.2}[20]
§42
How Josephs Mind Was Garrisoned.--The lessons given Joseph in his youth by Jacob in expressing his firm trust in God and relating to him again and again the precious evidences of His loving-kindness and unceasing care were the very lessons he needed in his exile among an idolatrous people. In the testing time he put these lessons to a practical use. When under the severest trial, he looked to his heavenly Father, whom he had learned to trust. Had the precepts and example of the father of Joseph been of an opposite character, the pen of inspiration would never have traced upon the pages of sacred history the story of integrity and virtue that shines forth in the character of Joseph. The early impressions made upon his mind garrisoned his heart in the hour of fierce temptation and led him to exclaim, How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? {CG 197.2}[20]
§43
智慧教导的成果－－不幸的是，母亲的犹疑懦弱很容易被儿女发现。于是试探者便在他们心中作工，引诱他们随从自己的意愿。如果父母愿意培养正确教育儿女所需要的素质，愿意告诉儿女所必须遵守的规则，而不违犯这些规则，主就会配合与祝福父母和儿女。（十七）{CG 197.3}[21]
§44
The Fruitage of Wise Training.--It is a sad fact that any weakness and indecision on the part of the mother is quickly seen by the children, and the tempter then works upon their minds, leading them to persist in following their inclination. If parents would cultivate the qualities necessary for them to use in the proper training of their children, if they would plainly lay before the children the rules they must follow, and not suffer these rules to be broken, the Lord would co-operate with and bless both parents and children. {CG 197.3}[21]
§45
儿童在很小的时候就容易遭受道德败坏的影响，但自称基督徒的父母却似乎没有看出他们自己管理方针的弊端。但愿他们能认识到在孩子最年幼的时候传给他的偏见会印刻和形成他永生或永死的命运！儿童容易感受道德和属灵的影响，那些在儿童时期受到明智训练的人，虽然有时可能犯错，但他们不会远远地走入歧途。（十八）{CG 198.1}[22]
§46
At a very early age children become susceptible to demoralizing influences, but parents who profess to be Christians do not seem to discern the evil of their own course of management. Oh, that they might realize that the bias which is given to a child in its earliest years gives a tendency to character and shapes the destiny either for eternal life or eternal death! Children are susceptible to moral and spiritual impressions, and those who are wisely trained in childhood may be erring at times, but they will not go far astray. {CG 198.1}[22]