💬 新概念英语第三册

Lesson 59 Collecting

They leave unwanted objects in drawers, cupboards and attics for years,

他们在抽屉里，碗柜中、阁楼上堆放着一些不用的东西，一放就是好几年，

Lesson 59 Collecting

in the belief that they may one day need just those very things.

相信总有一天需要的正好是那些东西。

Lesson 59 Collecting

As they grow old, people also accumulate belongings for two other reasons,

随着年纪的增加，人们也因为两个原因而继续积累：

Lesson 59 Collecting

lack of physical and mental energy, both of which are essential in turning out and throwing away, and sentiment.

一是体力，精力均告不佳，这二者是清除无用的东西必不可少的因素；另一原因是感情因素。

Lesson 59 Collecting

Things owned for a long time are full associations with the past, perhaps with relatives who are dead,

东西搁得时间久了，便会充满着与过去岁月的联系，比方说与死去的亲戚有关。

Lesson 59 Collecting

and so they gradually acquire a value beyond their true worth.

因此这些东西慢慢获得了一种超出它本身的价值。

Lesson 59 Collecting

Some things are collected deliberately in the home in an attempt to avoid waste.

居家度日，有目的地收藏某些东西是为了防止浪费。

Lesson 59 Collecting

Among these I would list string and brown paper, kept by thrifty people when a parcel has been opened, to save buying these two requisites.

这些东西中我想举出线绳和包装纸为例。节俭的人们打开包裹后便把这两样必备的东西收藏起来。省得日后去买。

Lesson 59 Collecting

Collecting small items can easily become a mania.

收集小玩艺儿很容易着迷。

Lesson 59 Collecting

I know someone who always cuts sketches out from newspapers of model clothes that she would like to buy if she had the money.

我认识一个人，她总喜欢从报纸上剪下流行服装的图样，等以后有钱时去买服装。

Lesson 59 Collecting

As she is not rich, the chances that she will ever be able to afford such purchases are remote;

由于她并不富裕，她买得起这些服装的可能性十分渺茫。

Lesson 59 Collecting

but she is never sufficiently strong-minded to be able to stop the practice.

但她又缺乏足够坚强的意志把这一收集活动停下来。

Lesson 59 Collecting

It is a harmless bait, but it litters up her desk to such an extent that every time she opens it, loose bits of paper fall out in every direction.

这种习惯无害，只把写字台里堆得满满当当，以致每次打开抽屉总能带出许多纸片四处飞扬。

Lesson 59 Collecting

Collecting as a serous hobby is quite different and has many advantages.

作为一种严肃的业余爱好的收藏活动完全是另外一回事，它具有许多益处。

Lesson 59 Collecting

It provides relaxation for leisure hours, as just looking at one's treasures is always a joy.

它可以使人在闲暇中得到休息，因为欣赏自己收藏的珍品总会充满了乐趣。

Lesson 59 Collecting

One does not have to go outside for amusement, since the collection is housed at home.

人们不必走到户外去寻求娱乐，因为收藏品都是存放在家中。

Lesson 59 Collecting

Whatever it consists of, stamps, records, first editions of books china, glass, antique furniture, pictures, model cars, stuffed birds, toy animals,

不管收藏品是什么，邮票、唱片、头版书籍、瓷器、玻璃杯、老式家具、绘画、模型汽车、鸟类标本，还是玩具动物，

Lesson 59 Collecting

there is always something to do in connection with it, from finding the right place for the latest addition, to verifying facts in reference books.

从为新增添的收藏品寻找摆放位置到核对参考书中的事实，总归有事可做。

Lesson 59 Collecting

This hobby educates one not only in the chosen subject, but also in general matters which have some bearing on it.

这种爱好不仅能使人从选择的专题中受到教育，而且也能从与之有关的一般事物中获得长进。

Lesson 59 Collecting

There are also other benefits.

除此之外，还有其他的益处。

Lesson 59 Collecting

One wants to meet like-minded collectors, to get advice, to compare notes, to exchange articles, to show off the latest find.

收藏者要会见情趣相投的收藏者，以获取教益，交流经验、交换收藏品，炫耀自己的最新收藏。

Lesson 59 Collecting

So one's circle of friends grows.

朋友的圈子就这样不断扩大。

Lesson 59 Collecting

Soon the hobby leads to travel, perhaps to a meeting in another town, possibly a trip abroad in search of a rare specimen, for collectors are not confined to any one country.

用不了多久，有这种爱好的人便开始旅行，也许是去另一个城市参加会议，也可能是出国寻找一件珍品，因为收藏家是不分国籍的。

Lesson 59 Collecting

Over the years, one may well become a authority on one's hobby and will very probably be asked to give informal talks to little gatherings and then,

一人积了多年经验会成为自己这种爱好的权威，很可能应邀在小型集会上作非正式的讲话。

Lesson 59 Collecting

if successful, to larger audiences.

如果讲得好，可能向更多人发表演说。

Lesson 59 Collecting

In this way self-confidence grows, first from mastering a subject, then from being able to take about it.

这样，你自信心不断增强，先是因为掌握一门学问，接下来是因为能够就此发表见解。

Lesson 59 Collecting

Collecting, by occupying spare time so constructively, makes a person contented, with no time for boredom.

收藏活动通过富有建设性地利用业余时间使人感到心满意足，不再有无聊之日。

Lesson 60 Too early and too late

Punctuality is a necessary habit in all public affairs in civilized society.

准时是文明社会中进行一切社交活动时必须养成的习惯。

Lesson 60 Too early and too late

Without it, nothing could ever be brought to a conclusion; everything would be in state of chaos.

不准时将一事无成，事事都会陷入混乱不堪的境地。

Lesson 60 Too early and too late

Only in a sparsely-populated rural community is it possible to disregard it.

只有在人口稀少的农村，才可以忽视准时的习惯。