The Love of Beauty
The love of beauty is an essential part of all healthy human nature. It is a moral quality. The absence of it is not an assured ground of condemnation, but the presence of it is an invariable sign of goodness of heart. In proportion to the degree in which it is felt will probably be the degree in which nobleness and beauty of character will be attained.
Natural beauty is an all-pervading presence. The universe is its temple. It unfolds into the numberless flowers of spring. It waves in the branches of trees and the green blades of grass. It haunts the depths of the earth and the sea. It gleams from the hues of the shells and the precious stones. And not only these minute objects but the oceans, the mountains, the clouds, the stars, the rising and the setting sun—all overflow with beauty. This beauty is so precious, and so congenial to our tenderest and noblest feelings, that it is painful to think of the multitude of people living in the midst of it and yet remaining almost blind to it.
All persons should seek to become acquainted with the beauty in nature. There is not a worm we tread upon, nor a leaf that dances merrily as it falls before the autumn winds, but calls for our study and admiration.The power to appreciate beauty not merely increases our sources of happiness—it enlarges our moral nature, too. Beauty calms our restlessness and dispels our cares. Go into the fields or the woods, spend a summer day by the sea or the mountains, and all your little perplexities and anxieties will vanish. Listen to sweet music, and your foolish fears and petty jealousies will pass away. The beauty of the world helps us to seek and find the beauty of goodness.
爱美之心人皆有之，它是人性健全必不可少的一部分，是一种道德品质。这种品质的缺失虽不能完全受到指责，但拥有这种品质却是美好心灵的永久标志。品德越高尚完美，其爱美之心就越强烈。
大自然的美无处不在。整个宇宙就是它的神殿。自然之美，呈现在春日的百花怒放中；摇曳在翠绿的枝桠和柔嫩的青草间；游荡在深海与幽谷里；闪耀在贝壳与宝石的光泽中；当然，不仅仅是这些细微的事物，还有海洋、山川、云霞、繁星、日升日落——万事万物都绽放着美。这般珍贵的美，愉悦着我们脆弱、纯真的情感。然而，可惜的是，大多数人置身于美，却对美熟视无睹。
人人都应该去感知大自然的美。被我们踩过的小虫子，或者在秋风中飘落飞舞的树叶，一切都值得我们去探究和赞赏。鉴赏美的能力不仅是我们快乐的源泉——它也拓展了我们纯洁的天性。美沉淀了我们心中的浮躁，驱散了我们的忧虑。漫步于田野或者树林，闲荡在夏日海边或山涧，细碎的困惑和忧虑都会烟消云散。倾听美妙的音乐，愚蠢的恐惧和微妙的嫉妒就会无影无踪。美丽的世界会帮助我们去寻找和发现美的真谛。
1. In proportion to the degree in it is felt will probably be the degree in which nobleness and beauty of character will attained.
2. And not only these objects but the oceans, the mountains, the _____, the stars, the rising and the setting sun—all overflow with . This beauty is so precious, and so congenial to our tenderest and noblest , that it is painful to think of the multitude of people living in the midst of it and yet remaining almost to it.
1. 这种品质的缺失虽不能完全受到指责，但拥有这种品质却是美好心灵的永久标志。
2. 这般珍贵的美，愉悦着我们脆弱、纯真的情感。
3. 美沉淀了我们心中的浮躁，驱散了我们的忧虑。
1. And not only these minute objects but the oceans, the mountains, the clouds, the stars, the rising and the setting sun—all overflow with beauty.
not only... but：不但……而且；不仅
2. ...it falls before the autumn winds, but calls for our study and admiration.
call for：要求；需要；提倡；邀请；为……叫喊
