IF YOU WERE ASKED TO DEFINE success, what would be your answer? Chances are, you have never given it a great deal of thought.
如果有人要求你给"成功"这个词下一个定义，你会下怎样一个定义呢？很可能你根本就没有思考过这个问题。
There are probably as many different definitions for success as there are people in the world. Let us consider some of them:
也许，在这个世界上生活着多少人，就会有多少种对成功的定义。让我们审视一下其中的几种：
If you were to ask a businessman his definition of success, he might say that being successful means earning a lot of money.
如果你去问一个生意人他对成功的定义，他也许会说成功就意味着赚一大笔钱。
A college football coach may believe that the pinnacle of success is winning the National Championship.
一名大学橄榄球队的教练相信，成功的顶峰就是赢得全国冠军。
To be successful, the pro athlete possibly desires to make the All-Pro team.
对于一名职业运动员来说，成功可能就是加入完全职业化的运动队。
To a salesman, success means becoming the number one producer with his company.
对于一名销售人员而言，成功意味着成为他的公司里顶尖的工作人员。
Success to a homemaker could be her role in raising her children or participating in volunteer or charity work.
成功对家庭主妇来说可能是她在抚养孩子或参与志愿者或慈善工作中的角色。
To the architect, success would probably be beautiful creations on his city's skyline.
对于一名建筑师来说，成功的含义也许会是建造起城市里天空下最美丽的建筑物。
A student's dream of success might be that golden moment when he receives his college degree.
一名学生所梦想的成功，可能是获得学位的那一个辉煌的时刻。
To an aspiring young lawyer, a desire to be president may be the ultimate success.
对于一名雄心勃勃的年轻律师来说，他的成功可能是成为本行业协会的主席。
The factory worker may feel successful when he knows he has given his employer a good eight hours of work each day.
工厂工人可能觉得自己成功，当他知道他每天已经为雇主提供了良好的八小时工作。
A dentist's dream of success could be a chain of clinics in the city.
一名牙医的梦想的成功可能是，在城市里开办一系列诊所。
To the accountant, success could possibly mean his own office building.
对于一名会计师来说，成功可能意味着自己开业。
To the minister, success might mean helping someone who is in need.
对牧师来说，成功可能意味着帮助一个需要帮助的人。
Success means many things to many people. Everyone may have a personal definition for success, but few have really thought the subject through. Success is more than any of the preceding definitions. It must be considered in greater depth and with a broader spectrum, to reveal the definition of true success.
对于许多不同的人来说，成功意味着许多内涵各不相同的东西。每个人对成功可能都有一个专属于他个人的解释，但是几乎没有人对于这个问题有彻底的清楚明白的思考。成功并非仅仅只是前面所说的那些含义。成功的内涵应该是在更深的层次上，更宽广的这视野中去考虑。
Success is not merely "money grabbing." This is a shortsighted view because having money does not make a person successful. Al Capone was a millionaire and unsuccessful. One who retires at age forty by chiseling and cheating his or her way to the top is not a successful person. You cannot achieve true success by deluding others.
成功不只是"赚取金钱"------那是一种目光狭窄物观点，因为拥有金钱并不就保证一个人的成功。阿尔·卡蓬是一个百万富翁，但他并不是一个成功人士。因为一个只不过是凭借欺哄和诈骗让自己得以往上爬的人，并不能算作一个成功的人。一个人不可能靠欺骗别人获得真正的成功。
If you earned a million dollars but lost your family and home and developed an ulcer in the process---you wouldn't be much of a success.
如果一个人赚到了１００万美元，但是在这过程中丧失了他的家庭并且自己还得上了胃溃怕，那他就并不怎么成功。
You would not be successful if you made a million dollars, but died of a heart attack at age forty-three simply because you burned the candle at both ends.
如果一个人赚到了１００万美元，但是在４３岁的年纪就仅仅因为超过限度地消耗自己的力量而死于心脏病突发，那他也不怎么成功。
Neither is success living your life on "skid row" in the midst of poverty and disease, as some "anti-establishment" cults might suggest. Nature's laws are a greater force than the mere whims and wishes of man. Truth will always be truth, and it cannot be changed.
当然，成功也并非如同某些主张"反对享受"的教派所鼓吹的那样，让自己陷在贫穷和疾病的迷雾中，在贫民窟晨生活。
In my generation we had the so-called "hippies" who were famous for their "do nothing" attitude. Living under the jurisdiction of natural law as we do, there was no way that these people could find happiness. Neither could they logically be referred to as successful just because they were doing their own thing.
在我们这一代人中间，有一种所谓的"嬉皮士"，因为他们的"无为"的态度而出名。这些人，如同我们一样生活在自然法则的管辖之下，是不可能获得幸福的。他们也不可能被视为成功者。
True success avoids extremes! It is a journey. It is a gradual process. It abides in a realm in which balanced living is achieved. Through balanced living you will find happiness and success. Our Creator intends for you and me to lead happy and successful lives by applying the natural laws established by him to keep us in tune with the universe.
真正的成功不走极端！成功就像一次长途旅行。它是一个循序渐进的过程。成功是一种境界------在这里，生活是平衡的。通过平衡的生活你将获得快乐和成功。造物主期望每一个人通过运用自然法则，来保持与宇宙的和谐一致，并且藉此过上快乐和成功的生活。
If I were to choose one word to define our Creator, the word would be balance. Think of the movement of the billions of heavenly bodies throughout the endlessness of space. Each is under perfect control just as precise as the movement of a fine Swiss watch. Consider the perfect balance between the plant and animal worlds, each complementing the other so that both will survive. Yes, our Creator has provided for everything. He is aware of all of our opportunities, as well as all of our problems. He is omniscient!
如果我要选择一个词来界定自然法则的特性，那个词就是"平衡"。想一想在无穷无尽的空间中运行着的亿万颗天体，其中每一颗都在精细的控制之下，如同瑞士的钟表一般完美。想一想在植物界和动物界之间的完美平衡，每一种充当着另一种的充充，这样它们才都能够存活下去。
Thomas Edison understood the essence of our Creator when he made the very profound statement, "Ideas come from space." He planned his life so that he would achieve balance and live within the boundaries of the great natural laws of the universe, which cannot be broken without causing adverse effects.
托马斯·爱迪生理解自然法则的特性，他作出了这个含义深刻的陈述"观念的产生依赖于空间的存在"。他计划自己的生活，以便能达致平衡，能够生活在宇宙的普遍的自然法则的疆界之内，而不是越过限度，招致负面的结果。
As a schoolboy, Edison was sent home with a note from his teacher saying that he could not learn---that he could not think---that he was stupid. That boy became the world's leading inventor. Edison completely accepted the fact that there was a power in existence bigger than himself, and he learned to work in complete harmony with that power.
当爱迪生还只是一个学校里的小男孩的时候，学校签发了一张通知，把爱迪生遣送回家。通知上面说他没有能力完成自己的学业，说他没有思考问题的能力，暗示他是个傻瓜。这个男孩后来却成为世界头号发明家。爱迪生全身心地接受了存在着一个超越他自己的力量的事实，并且学会了与这个力量保持完全和谐一致。
Great people lead balanced lives, which are made meaningful by belief. William B. Walton, president of Holiday Inns, speaking to the Tennessee State Convention of Optimists International, put it this way:
大凡伟人过的生活都是平衡的，他们的生活，因为有信仰，而被赋予了意义。威廉·Ｂ.瓦尔顿，假日酒店的总裁，在国际乐观主义者田纳西州年会上，以下面的方式对这一点作了阐述：
You have four great loves in your life: "在一个人的生活里有四种伟大的爱：
Love of God---This love puts substance and meaning into your life. This great love enables a man to live with himself. This is the greatest among the four great loves. You must make a total commitment to this love.
第一、对上帝的爱：这种爱充满于一个人的生活之中，使生活变得有意义。正是这种伟大的爱，使一个人能够自立生存，一个人必须完全把自己献给这种爱。
Love of Family---The love of spouse, children, and relatives is encompassed by this love. This love must be a great love to avoid the problems faced by families in our modern society. It takes a total commitment to gain fulfillment from this great love.
第二、对家庭的爱这种爱包括对自己的配偶、子女和其他亲属的爱。这种伟大的爱确保我们得以避免在当今我们这个社会中家庭所面临的问题。为此，我们必须完全地献身于这种伟大的爱。
Love of Country---You don't inherit a wonderful country like ours. It is passed on from generation to generation, but each new generation must earn the right to keep it. You must develop a fervent love for your country, if you are to be happy and enjoy the fruits of its plentiful bounty. Your love for your country must be a great love, a total commitment.
第三、对国家的爱：我们非常幸运能继承一个如此美好的国家。这个美好的国家，被代代相传，同时每一代都必须好好维护她。在一个人身上应当发展起一种对国家的强烈的爱，只有这样他才能快乐生活，并且享受这个国家的富足。一个人对国家的爱必须是一种无比强大的爱，一种让他完全地投入自我的爱。
Love of Work---This must be one of your great loves for it provides the sustenance from which you live. To obtain this love you must engage in work that you enjoy and that is fulfilling. By making a total commitment to this great love you can guarantee yourself your share of prosperity.
第四、对工作的爱：这应当被归入伟大的爱之列，因为正是工作提供了一个人藉以生存的食粮。为了保持这种爱，一个人必须投身于自已喜欢的工作，这样做定能获得回报。通过完全地投身于这一种伟大的爱，一个人可以享受属于自己那一份丰硕的果实。"
Surely you can see the threads of direction, balance, and belief woven throughout "The Four Great Loves of Your Life" as presented by Mr. Walton. During his speech he constantly stressed the importance of attitude as being "the golden key that must be placed in the lock of life." The "Four Great Loves" are simply attitudes about life. His speech certainly exemplifies the thoughts of a man who knows the true definition of success.
你肯定能看出，贯穿于瓦尔顿先生所作的"一个人生活中四种伟大的爱"的讲演中的主旨所在------那就是方向、平衡和信念。在这篇讲演里他反复强调态度的重要性，说它是"必须被放置进生活之锁的黄金钥匙。"简单地说，"四种伟大的爱"是面对生活的正确态度。他的演说很典型地体现了一个了解成功的真正含义的人所具有的看法。
Coach Vince Lombardi constantly guided his players with the following statement: "There are only three things that are important in your life! Your God, your family, and the Green Bay Packers."
用同样的原则，著名的文西·伦巴迪教练经常用下面这句话教诲他的队员：
"在你的生活里只有三件事情是重要的！
你的上帝、你的家庭、和你的球队！"
Again, you should see the threads of direction, balance, and belief woven throughout his statement. Any definition of success must contain these threads of truth or be incomplete.
可见，平衡和信念是他话中的意义。任何对成功的定义，只要是完全的，都一定会包含这一精神，因为它是真理。
Success consists of three things if you are to gain a true understanding:
成功包含着三样东西，对这三样东西你必须获得一种真正的理解。
Direction---Setting your sights on the things that are worthwhile in life and then establishing a plan to continuously work toward their fulfillment and accomplishment.
１.方向感------让你的眼光留驻于生活中那些有价值的事情上，并且制定一个计划，不停地向着为了它们的实现而努力工作。
Balance---Keeping the proper perspective about every area of your life. Staying in harmony with nature's law, which produces perfect balance. Balance in all things brings about happiness.
２.平衡------保持你生活各个方面的合适的比例和位置，让自己和带来完美平衡的自然法则保持和谐一致。幸福从所有事物之间的平衡中产生。
Belief---No man will become successful who does not possess belief. The greater his belief---the greater his degree of success. Successful men are believers!
３.信念------没有信念的人不会获得成功。一个人的信念越强，他也就越会成功。成功的人是有百分之百信念的人！
With these three ingredients as a foundation, we will now establish our own definition of success. This will enable us to communicate with complete understanding as we continue through this book. When we refer to success, this is what we mean. Commit these few words to memory. You will carry them with you as a guiding light as long as you live.
有了这三个成分作为基础，现在我们可以着手给成功下一个我们自己的定义了。在阅读这本书的过程中，我们彼此间会进一步沟通，并对这个定义达到一种完全深刻的理解。以后每当我们提及"成功"的时候，我们所指的就是这个。请你把这句话牢牢记在心里，在你的生命中，它会像引路的光，引导你进入一种成功境界。
"Success is the progressive realization of predetermined, worthwhile goals, stabilized with balance and purified by belief."
"成功就是一个人事先树立的有价值的目标被循序渐进地变为现实的过程。这一过程因平衡得以坚固，因信念而具有意义。"
Very few people really understand success. Now that you do---put it to work in your life!
只有极少的人理解成功的真正含义------而现在你已经是这些极少数人中的一员。让你所获得的这种理解，在你的生活水平发挥作用！
Here are seven dynamic rules for personal achievement to help you put it to work immediately:
有７条充满活力的原则支配着一个人的成功。请把这些原则立刻运用在你的生活中吧。
Let God Guide You---Get yourself out of the way and let the great, universal creative mind of God give you direction---have faith!
第一、建立一种神圣的信仰------摆脱你原来所走的道路，让信仰成为你生活中的最高目标和价值！
Establish a Faith Period---Set aside thirty golden minutes each morning to engage in meditation and planning.
第二、建立一个"黄金时辰"------每天早上给自己留下３０分钟的黄金时间，让自己投身于沉思和制定计划之中。
Crystallize Your Goals---Decide on specific goals that you want to achieve and keep them before you each day.
第三、让你的目标成为坚实的整体------把你想实现的目标具体化，并且将这些具体目标置于每天的日程安排中。
Make a Plan of Action---Develop a blueprint for achieving your goals and a target date for their accomplishment.
第四、拟定一个行动计划------起草一个你想实现的目标的蓝图，并且确定完成它们的时间表。
Develop a Burning Desire---Desire for the things you want in life will motivate you to action.
第五、发展一种强烈的欲望------对你在生活中想要获得的东西的欲望，将极大地激发你去行动。
Believe in Yourself---You can accomplish anything, if you believe you can. You have God-given talents and abilities---use them!
第六、保持对你自己的信心------只要你相信你能够，你就确实能够实现任何事情。你拥有上天给予的才能，充分运用它们！
Never Give Up---Success cannot elude a will that stays in existence in spite of the pressures of adversity. Success comes to persistent people!
第七、在任何时候也决不放弃------一个无视一切压力和困难而始终坚忍不拔的人，是不会让成功从自己面前溜走的。有力量坚持下去的就能够获得最后的成功！
It may require changing your entire way of life to apply the Dynamic Success Plan, but remember, successful men do the things that failures never get around to doing.
要将布兰德成功计划付诸行动，可能需要改变你的整个生活方式。但是请记住，成功的人不会做失败的事情。
Stop! Reread the following parts of this chapter three times. Do this slowly and thoughtfully.
在这里停下来！把这一章里以下几个部分的内容重新阅读三遍，你必须慢慢地、非常投入地进行。
The definition of true success 第一、真正的成功的含义。
Bland's Dynamic Success Plan 第二、充满活力的布兰德成功计划。
An hour spent here will be worth many hours later. Accepting these principles takes you another step closer to a life of happiness and prosperity.
如果你在这里花费一个小时，其价值相当于你在以后花费的许多个小时。接受这些原则，意味着你向一个快乐而成功的生活又迈进了一步。
You cannot achieve true success by deluding others.
第一、一个人不可能靠欺骗别人获得真正的成功。
Nature's laws are a greater force than the mere whims and wishes of man.
自然法则比人类的幻想和愿望更强大。
True success avoids extremes!
第二、真正的成功不走极端。
Truth will always be truth, and it cannot be changed.
真理永远都是真理，无法改变。
Our Creator has provided for everything.
第三、我们的造物主供给着万物。
Great people lead balanced lives, which are made meaningful by belief.
第四、伟大的人物过的生活是平衡的，他们的生活因为有信仰而被赋予了意义。
Success is the progressive realization of predetermined, worthwhile goals, stabilized with balance and purified by belief!
第五、成功就是一个人事先树立的、有价值的目标被循序渐进地变为现实的过程。这一过程因平衡而得以坚固，因信念而具有意义。