常春藤生活英語：Good Karma for Penny 種善因得

We might forget the things we do, but that doesn't mean they forget us. If you believe in karma, then you believe everything a person does is a cause. Some day their actions will return as an effect. Whether it is a good deed or a mean trick, every action stays in the karma circle. If you hurt someone, which is bad karma, you too will be hurt sometime in the future. However, if you assist people, an example of good karma, you will find help in your hour of need.

There are lots of stories about bad karma. Every time we do something wrong, we get punished in one way or another. It seems that there is no easy escape from the awful things that we have done.

But how often do you hear about a good deed that's rewarded? We should help others and make lots of good karma even if you think good deeds are a waste of time. Penny Brown found out just how important good karma is the day she almost choked to death.

我們也許會忘了自己做過的事，但那不意味這些事會忘記我們。假如您相信因果報應的存在，那么您就相信人所做的每件事情都是一個起因。他們的行為某天會回過頭來影響自己。不論是善行或惡作劇，每個舉動都會在『業(yè)』的圓圈里輪回不已。如果您傷害某人，也就是惡業(yè)，您在未來某個時候同樣會遭傷害。然而，倘若您幫助某人，也就是善業(yè)的例子之一，您將會在需要幫忙之際得到協(xié)助。

關于惡業(yè)的故事很多。每當我們做錯事，無論如何都會遭到懲罰。我們似乎無法輕易逃脫做了壞事之后的報應。

但是您有多常聽到獲得回報的善行?盡管您覺得做好事是浪費時間，我們?nèi)詰搸椭?，多種善因。潘妮?布朗差點噎死的那天，便發(fā)覺善業(yè)是多么重要。

Building Your Vocabulary

1.awful　a. 糟糕的，惡劣的

I felt awful about not being able to help.

幫不上忙，我心里很難受。

2.reward　vt. 報答，酬謝

The company rewarded Allen's hard work with a big bonus.

公司發(fā)給艾倫一大筆獎金，用以酬謝他的辛勞。

3.choke　vi. 噎住;窒息

Children can easily choke on candies.

小孩子很容易就會被糖果噎住。

Phrases for Learning

1.in + 所有格 + hour of need　某人患難時

Al is a friend I can turn to in my hour of need.

艾爾是一個我在困頓時能夠投靠的朋友。

2.(in) one way or another　用某種方法(雖然還不知道用哪一種)

We'll get the work done one way or another.

不論用什么方法，我們都會把工作完成。

3.a waste of...　浪費……

That expensive car is a total waste of money.

買那臺昂貴的車真是白白浪費錢。

參考字詞

1.karma　n.(佛教)業(yè)，因果報應

2.cause　n. 起因，原因

3.deed　n. 行為，事跡

4.escape　n. 逃脫，逃避

Tips In Use

If you believe in karma, then you believe everything a person does...

(假如您相信因果報應的存在，那么您就相信人所做的每件事情……)

believe in 與 believe 大致上說來都是表『相似』，但意思略有不同，使用時務必小心。

1.believe in + 物　　相信某物的存在

Bobby doesn't believe in Santa Claus.

(巴比不相信世上有圣誕老人。)

2.believe in + 人　　信賴某人

Children need a teacher that they can believe in.

(孩子們需要一個可以信賴的老師。)

3.believe...　　相信……是真的

I don't believe a word Terry says.

(泰瑞說的話我一點也不信。)