英语美文欣赏(20)

A good book may be among the best of friends.（a good book is like our best friend） It is the same today that it always was, and it will never change. It is the most patient and cheerful of companions. It does not turn its back upon us （abandon） in times of adversity or distress.（in times of misfortunes or poverty） It always receives us with the same kindness，amusing and instructing us in youth, and comforting and consoling us in age.（in old age）
一本好书就像是一个最好的朋友。它始终不渝，过去如此，现在仍然如此，将来也永远不变。它是最有耐心、最令人愉快的伴侣。在我们穷愁潦倒、临危遭难的时候，它也不会抛弃我们，对我们总是一往情深。在我们年轻时，好书陶冶我们的性情，增长我们的知识；到我们年老时，它又给我们以安慰和勉励。

Men often discover their affinity （close relationship） to each other by the love they have each for a book --- just as two persons sometimes discover a friend by the admiration which both have for a third. There is an old proverb, “Love me, and love my dog.” But there is more wisdom in this:” Love me, love my book.” The book is a truer and higher bond of union. （uniting force） Men can think, feel, and sympathize （share the feelings or ideas of another） with each other through their favorite author. They live in him together, and he （lives） in them. ---they can find their opinions from books, in reverse, the ideas of the author influence them too.