新世纪大学英语 2 课文 翻译 5.Why Character Counts.doc

Why Character Counts Stephen R. Covey The text is adapted from Why Character Counts, by Stephen R. Covey, published in Readers Digest, Jan. 1999. close 1RT Some time ago I was asked to consult for a bank that was having a problem with employee morale. I dont know whats wrong, complained their young president sadly. Bright and attractively capable, hed risen through the ranks only to see his institution faltering. Productivity and profits were down. He blamed his employees. No matter what incentives I provide, he said, they wont shake off this gloom and doom. 品德为什么重要 斯蒂芬·R·科维 前一段时间，我应邀去一家银行做咨询，因为那里员工士气不振。“我不知道问题出在哪里，”年轻的总裁伤心地抱怨道。他聪明而且特别能干，一步一步爬到现在的位置，却发现银行步履维艰，效率和收益都很低。他觉得问题出在员工身上。他说：“不论我采用什么样的激励措施，他们总是死气沉沉，提不起精神。”close 2RT He was right. The atmosphere seemed poisoned with suspicion and lack of trust. For two months I ran workshops, but nothing helped. I was stumped. 他说得不假，空气中似乎充满了怀疑和不信任的毒气。我花了两个月的时间举办各种研讨会，但全都无济于事。我无计可施了。close 3RT Finally, in more casual conversations, the truth emerged. The boss, who was married, was having an affair with an employee. And everyone knew it. 最后，在闲谈中真相浮现了。老板已经结婚，却与一名员工有染，这件事公司上下尽人皆知。close 4RT It was obvious now that the companys poor performance was caused by his conduct. But the greatest damage this man was doing was to himself. He was thinking only of his own pleasure and satisfaction disregarding long-term consequences. Moreover, he had violated a sacred trust with his wife. 如此看来，公司业绩欠佳，显然是他的行为所造成的。但这个人所造成的最大损害，是对他自己。他只顾自己一时的享乐和满足，不管长远的后果，而且，他也亵渎了与妻子之间神圣的信任。close 5RT In a word, his failing was one of character. 简而言之，他错在品行不端。close 6RT What Really MattersCharacter is made up of those principles and values that give your life direction, meaning and depth. These constitute your inner sense of whats right and wrong based not on laws or rules of conduct but on who you are. 品德是由原则和价值观组成，能够为你的生活指引方向，赋予你的生活以意义和深度。这些构成了你内心判断正误的标准，不是基于法律或行为准则，而是基于你个人。close 7RT They include such traits as integrity, honesty, courage, fairness and generos