How to Succeed

    How to Succeed

 

     It is not very difficult to succeed if some basic rules are laid down. While discussing this subject, I’d like to mention four necessary rules: diligence1, devotion2, constancy3, and punctuality4.
    All things can be defeated by diligence. It makes the foolish wise and the poor rich. It produces a wonderful effect. The work of a diligent fool is double that of a lazy wit5.
    Devotion means to set our heart on one thing at a time and not to focus on anything else. Never think about another subject while studying one subject. Those who often change their studies will never succeed. Therefore, in order to be successful, we need to be devoted.
    Constancy makes success a certainty6. On the opposite, a lack of constancy often results in failure. If we study day after day, there is nothing that cannot be achieved. We should remember a worthy saying: "The constant7 dripping of water can wear away a stone."
    Furthermore, there is another rule that contributes to one’s achievements. That is punctuality. The habit of keeping regular hours is of extreme importance to success. Work while you work. Play while you play. Every man will certainly become strong and wise if he does so.

Notes:

1. diligence n. 勤勉; 勤奋

2. devotion n. 专心

3. constancy n. 持久不变

4. punctuality n. 守时

5. wit n. 机智幽默的人

6. certainty n. 确定的事

7. constant adj.连续发生的

赏析与理解：
    想要获得成功，你会怎样要求自己？放眼周遭的伟人和成功人士，他们身上是否也具备着一些相同的性格特点？成功，对于每个人来说都非易事，但如果你能掌握一些准则，并以这些准则严格要求自己，也许有一天开启成功之门的钥匙就出现在你眼前。

译文对照：

怎样获得成功

    只要遵循一些基本的原则，成功并非难事。当讨论这个话题时，我想提及四个基本原则，若想取得成功，它们必不可少：勤奋、专注、坚持及守时。
    勤奋能无坚不摧、战胜一切。勤奋使愚钝的人变得聪明，使穷人变得富有。勤奋能够产生一种神奇的作用。一个勤奋的傻瓜得到的成就往往是一个懒惰的聪明人的两倍。
    专注意味着将我们的全部心思每次只放在一件事情上，抛弃一切其它的杂念。在学习某一学科时，不要一心二用。那些经常更换学习目标的人，绝不会在今后取得成功。因此，想要成功，我们需要全身心投入。
    坚持使成功更有把握。相反，反复无常则经常导致失败。如果我们每日都坚持不懈地努力学习，定将达成心中所想。我们应铭记这个有价值的谚语：滴水穿石。
    除此之外，还有一条准则也可帮我们走向成功，那就是守时。拥有良好的时间习惯对取得成功至关重要。在工作的时间认真工作，在玩乐的时候尽情玩乐。任何能做到这些的人都会变得强大且明智。