第37章 习惯的力量
§1
第37章 习惯的力量
§2
chap. 37 - The Power of Habit
§3
习惯的形成－－任何一个行动，不论或善或恶，都不能形成品格；可是放纵的思想和情感，却会为类似的行为预备道路。（一）{CG 199.1}[1]
§4
How Habits Are Established.--Any one act, either good or evil, does not form the character; but thoughts and feelings indulged prepare the way for acts and deeds of the same kind. {CG 199.1}[1]
§5
只有重覆的行动才会形成习惯与品格。（二）{CG 199.2}[2]
§6
It is . . . by a repetition of acts that habits are established and character confirmed. {CG 199.2}[2]
§7
建立良好习惯的时候－－品格在很大程度上是早年形成的。那时所养成的习惯，比任何天赋有更大的影响力，可使人在智力上成为巨人或侏儒；因为最有才干的人也会因错误的习惯而扭曲和衰弱。人越早染上有害的习惯，这些习惯也就越牢固地奴役他，并且越确实地降低他的属灵的标准。另一方面，人如果在年轻时养成正确善良的习惯，这些习惯通常就会伴随他终生。在大多数情况下，我们发现凡长大以后敬畏上帝尊重正义的人，在世俗的罪恶形像尚未印在他们心中之前，就已学到了这个教训。成年人的心往往象坚硬的石头，难以接受新的印象；青年人却是易受感动的。（三）{CG 199.3}[3]
§8
The Time to Establish Good Habits.--The character is formed, to a great extent, in early years. The habits then established have more influence than any natural endowment, in making men either giants or dwarfs in intellect; for the very best talents may, through wrong habits, become warped and enfeebled. The earlier in life one contracts hurtful habits, the more firmly will they hold their victim in slavery, and the more certainly will they lower his standard of spirituality. On the other hand, if correct and virtuous habits are formed in youth, they will generally mark the course of the possessor through life. In most cases, it will be found that those who in later life reverence God and honor the right learned that lesson before there was time for the world to stamp its images of sin upon the soul. Those of mature age are generally as insensible to new impressions as is the hardened rock, but youth is impressible. {CG 199.3}[3]
§9
习惯可能调整，却很难改变－－孩童耳闻目睹的事正在幼嫩的心智中划下深刻的线条，是后来的人生环境无法完全消除的。理智正在形成，情感也在接受方向，得到力量。某些行为经一再重复就成了习惯，以后经过严格的训练可能有所改善，但很少完全改变。（四）{CG 199.4}[4]
§10
Habits May Be Modified, but Seldom Changed.-- What the child sees and hears is drawing deep lines upon the tender mind, which no after circumstances in life can entirely efface. The intellect is now taking shape, and the affections receiving direction and strength. Repeated acts in a given course become habits. These may be modified by severe training, in afterlife, but are seldom changed. {CG 199.4}[4]
§11
习惯一旦形成，对品格的影响就越来越厉害。有没有很好地利用各种机会和便利，决定了智力不断在接受的塑造。我们每天都在塑造品格，要么使学生成为训练有素的士兵，站在以马内利大君的旗帜之下，要么使他们成为叛逆者，站在黑暗之君的旗帜之下。我们到底怎么样呢？（五）{CG 200.1}[5]
§12
Once formed, habits become more and more firmly impressed upon the character. The intellect is continually receiving its mold from opportunities and advantages, ill or well improved. Day by day we form characters which place the students as well-disciplined soldiers under the banner of Prince Emmanuel, or rebels under the banner of the prince of darkness. Which shall it be? {CG 200.1}[5]
§13
必须恒切努力－－我们只要敢做一次，下次也就更容易再做。若不殷勤不懈地严于律己，人就无法养成冷静、自制、节俭、专一、谈吐合情合理、忍耐及真实的礼貌等习惯。要成为败德颓废的恶人，比养成克服缺点，抑制自我，重视诚实等美德要容易得多。我们若要在基督化人生的美德上不断得以完全，就必需恒切努力。（六）{CG 200.2}[6]
§14
Persevering Effort Is Necessary.--What we venture to do once, we are more apt to do again. Habits of sobriety, of self-control, of economy, of close application, of sound, sensible conversation, of patience and true courtesy, are not gained without diligent, close watching over self. It is much easier to become demoralized and depraved than to conquer defects, keeping self in control and cherishing true virtues. Persevering efforts will be required if the Christian graces are ever perfected in our lives. {CG 200.2}[6]
§15
败坏的儿童危害别人－－敬畏上帝的父母应当思考和计划，培养儿女正确的习惯。他们要为儿女选择伴侣，不要让毫无经验的儿女自行选择。（七）{CG 200.3}[7]
§16
Corrupt Children Endanger Others.--God-fearing parents will deliberate and plan as to how to train their children to right habits. They will choose companions for their children, rather than leave them in their inexperience to choose for themselves. {CG 200.3}[7]
§17
儿童在早年如果没有接受恒切耐心的训练，行走正路，就会养成错误的习惯。这些习惯会在日后的生活中发展起来，败坏别人。那些接受低级的思想，在不良家风和欺诈行为腐蚀之下的人，会终生带着错误的习惯。他们纵使自称信仰宗教，这些习惯也会在他们的宗教生活中显示出来。（八）{CG 200.4}[8]
§18
If, in their early childhood, children are not perseveringly and patiently trained in the right way, they will form wrong habits. These habits will develop in their future life and will corrupt others. Those whose minds have received a low cast, who have been cheapened by wrong home influences, by deceptive practices, carry their wrong habits with them through life. If they make a profession of religion, these habits will be revealed in their religious life. {CG 200.4}[8]
§19
扫罗是一个悲惨的例证－－以色列第一个国王的历史乃是一个悲惨的例证，说明幼年养成的恶习有何等大的力量。扫罗在幼年时期就不爱上帝，也不敬畏祂；而且他那急躁的性情既没有在早时受训成为顺服，就必随时反抗上帝的权威。那些在幼年尊重上帝的旨意并忠心尽责的人，就可以准备在成年时期担任更高的职务。但人若多年妄用上帝所赐的才能，而到了他们打算改变的时候，还希望很自然地把这些能力用在完全不同的事业上，这是根本不可能的了。（九） {CG 201.1}[9]
§20
King Saul, a Sad Example.--The history of Israels first king presents a sad example of the power of early wrong habits. In his youth Saul did not love and fear God; and that impetuous spirit, not early trained to submission, was ever ready to rebel against divine authority. Those who in their youth cherish a sacred regard for the will of God, and who faithfully perform the duties of their position, will be prepared for higher service in afterlife. But men cannot for years pervert the powers that God has given them, and then, when they choose to change, find these powers fresh and free for an entirely opposite course. {CG 201.1}[9]
§21
一个孩子可以接受健全的宗教教育；但如果父母、教师或监护人容许一个错误的习惯去左右其品格，而这种习惯若不加以克服，就必占优势，导致孩子的灭亡。（十）{CG 201.2}[10]
§22
A child may receive sound religious instruction; but if parents, teachers, or guardians permit his character to be biased by a wrong habit, that habit, if not overcome, will become a predominant power, and the child is lost. {CG 201.2}[10]
§23
小行为关系重大－－每一个行动方针都具有两重性和重要性。依照促使行动的动机，它要么善良要么邪恶，要么对要么错。一个错误的行动经过多次重复，就在犯错的人和那些在属灵或属世的关系上与他有联系的人心中留下永久的印象。不注意错误的小举动的父母或教师，使青少年养成了那些坏习惯。（十一）{CG 201.3}[11]
§24
Small Actions Are Important.--Every course of action has a twofold character and importance. It is virtuous or vicious, right or wrong, according to the motive which prompts it. A wrong action, by frequent repetition, leaves a permanent impression upon the mind of the actor, and also on the minds of those who are connected with him in any relation, either spiritual or temporal. The parents or teachers who give no attention to the small actions that are not right establish those habits in the youth. {CG 201.3}[11]
§25
父母们应当忠实对待那交托给他们的生灵。他们不应助长儿女的骄傲，奢华，和爱出风头的心。不可教导他们或让他们学习一些小聪明，因为这些在小孩子身上所显出的小机灵，是他们年长之时须予放弃和必须加以矫正的。（十二）{CG 201.4}[12]
§26
Parents should deal faithfully with the souls committed to their trust. They should not encourage in their children pride, extravagance, or love of show. They should not teach them, or suffer them to learn, little pranks which appear cunning in small children, but which they will have to unlearn, and for which they must be corrected when they are older. {CG 201.4}[12]
§27
孩子还小的时候，他们小小的恶作剧或过错似乎十分有趣，竟得到允许或鼓励。但孩子长大以后，就变得令人反感和厌恶了（十三）{CG 202.1}[13]
§28
Little pranks and errors may seem to be amusing when the child is a baby, and they may be permitted and encouraged; but as the child grows older, they become disgusting and offensive. {CG 202.1}[13]
§29
坏习惯比好习惯更容易养成－－他们所能获得的一切学问，永远消除不了他们在幼年时缺乏教养的恶果。一次疏忽，常常重复，终成习惯。一次错误的行动为另一次错误开了门路。坏习惯比好习惯更容易养成，但更难消除。（十四）{CG 202.2}[14]
§30
Bad Habits Are More Easily Formed Than Good.-- All the learning they may acquire will never undo the evil resulting from lax discipline in childhood. One neglect, often repeated, forms habit. One wrong act prepares the way for another. Bad habits are more easily formed than good ones and are given up with more difficulty. {CG 202.2}[14]
§31
孩子若听之任之，他们学习罪恶比学习良善就更加容易。坏习惯最迎合人的天性。人在婴幼儿时期的所见所闻，会在心中留下深刻的印象。（十五）{CG 202.3}[15]
§32
Young children, if left to themselves, learn the bad more readily than the good. Bad habits agree best with the natural heart, and things which they see and hear in infancy and childhood are deeply imprinted upon their minds. {CG 202.3}[15]
§33
幼年习惯决定未来的成败－－不论现在还是将来，我们的习惯要塑造我们的为人。人若养成正当的习惯，忠心执行每一本分，他们的生活就必发出光来，照亮别人的路；反之，人若放纵不忠心的恶习，让疏懈，怠惰和玩忽等恶习增强，那比午夜更黑的乌云，就必笼罩在今生的前途上，并要永远拦阻该人进入来生。（十六）{CG 202.4}[16]
§34
Early Habits Decide Future Victory or Defeat.-- We shall be individually, for time and eternity, what our habits make us. The lives of those who form right habits, and are faithful in the performance of every duty, will be as shining lights, shedding bright beams upon the pathway of others; but if habits of unfaithfulness are indulged, if lax, indolent, neglectful habits are allowed to strengthen, a cloud darker than midnight will settle on the prospects in this life, and forever debar the individual from the future life. {CG 202.4}[16]
§35
在青年少时期，人的品格是最容易受影响的。自制的能力必须在这个时候养成。日常起居中所发出的影响，其结果足以影响一生。在幼年所养成的习惯，比任何天赋更能决定人生的成败。（十七）{CG 202.5}[17]
§36
In childhood and youth the character is most impressible. The power of self-control should then be acquired. By the fireside and at the family board, influences are exerted whose results are as enduring as eternity. More than any natural endowment, the habits established in early years decide whether a man will be victorious or vanquished in the battle of life. {CG 202.5}[17]