生命的三分之一

邓拓

　　一个人的生命究竟有多大意义，这有什么标准可以衡量吗?提出一个绝对的标准当然很困难；但是，大体上看一个人对待生命的态度是否严肃认真，看他对待劳动、工作等等的态度如何，也就不难对这个人的存在意义做出适当的估计了。

　　古来一切有成就的人，都很严肃地对待自己的生命，当他活着一天，总要尽量多劳动、多工作、多学习，不肯虚度年华，不让时间白白地浪费掉。我国历代的劳动人民以及大政治家、大思想家等等都莫不如此。

译文1

One third of our lifetime

　　 What is the significance of life? Is there any gauge to measure it? It would be very difficult, of course, trying to advance an absolute standard. However, the significance of one’s existence can more or less be evaluated by examining his attitude toward life and work.

Since ancient times all people of accomplishment are serious about their lives. While they are alive, even if there is only one day left to live, they try to work as hard as they can and learn as much as possible, never letting a single day slip by without any gain. This is true of the working people as well as of the great statesmen and great thinkers in our history.

译文2

    How much does one’s life count?/What is the true value of life? Is there a standard/criterion to measure it? It is certainly difficult to offer a definite standard. But we can still make some estimate by looking at one’s attitude towards life and work.

   Throughout the ages, all achievers treat their lives solemnly. They never idle away their time. They try their best to do more labor, more work and more studies. The laboring people in our history made the most of their lives by working hard; and so did the great statesmen and thinkers.