Salt  盐
  Henry van Dyke
  亨利·范·戴克（1852－1933），美国作家、教育家和传道士，酷爱描写自然、友谊与信仰。本文于1898年6月在哈佛大学发表。

  'Ye are the salt of the earth.' Matthew 5:13.
“你们是世上的盐。”《马太福音》，第五章第十三节。

  This figure of speech is plain and pungent. Salt is savory, purifying, preservative. It is one of those superfluities which the great French wit defined as 'things that are very necessary.' From the very beginning of human history men have set a high value upon salt and sought for it in caves and by the seashore. The nation that had a good supply was counted rich. A bag of salt, among the barbarous tribes, was worth more than a man. The Jews prized it especially, because they lived in a warm climate where food wad difficult to keep, and because their religion laid particular emphasis on cleanliness, and because salt was largely used in their sacrifices.
  这个比喻平凡而发人深省