Madam President Faust, members of the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers, faculty, family, friends,and, most importantly, today’s graduates,
尊敬的Faust校長(zhǎng),哈佛集團(tuán)的各位成員,監(jiān)管理事會(huì)的各位理事,各位老師,各位家長(zhǎng),各位朋友,以及重要的各位畢業(yè)生同學(xué),
Thank you for letting me share this wonderful day with you.
感謝你們,讓我有機(jī)會(huì)同你們一起分享這個(gè)美妙的日子。
I am not sure I can live up to the high standards of Harvard Commencement speakers. Last year, J.K. Rowling, the billionaire novelist, who started as a classics student, graced this podium. The year before, Bill Gates, the mega-billionaire philanthropist and computer nerd stood here. Today, sadly, you have me. I am not wealthy, but at least I am a nerd.
我不太肯定,自己夠得上哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮演講人這樣的殊榮。去年登上這個(gè)講臺(tái)的是,英國(guó)億萬身家的小說家J.K. Rowling女士,她早是一個(gè)古典文學(xué)的學(xué)生。前年站在這里的是比爾·蓋茨先生,他是一個(gè)超級(jí)富翁、一個(gè)慈善家和電腦天才。今年很遺憾,你們的演講人是我,雖然我不是很有錢,但是至少我是一個(gè)高手。
I am grateful to receive an honorary degree from Harvard, an honor that means more to me than you might care to imagine. You see, I was the academic black sheep of my family. My older brother has an M.D./Ph.D. from MIT and Harvard while my younger brother has a law degree from Harvard. When I was awarded a Nobel Prize, I thought my mother would be pleased. Not so. When I called her on the morning of the announcement, she replied, “That’s nice, but when are you going to visit me next.” Now, as the last brother with a degree from Harvard, maybe, at last, she will be satisfied.
我很感激哈佛大學(xué)給我榮譽(yù)學(xué)位,這對(duì)我很重要,也許比你們會(huì)想到的還要重要。要知道,在學(xué)術(shù)上,我是我們家的異類。我的哥哥在麻省理工學(xué)院得到醫(yī)學(xué)博士,在哈佛大學(xué)得到哲學(xué)博士;我的弟弟在哈佛大學(xué)得到一個(gè)法律學(xué)位。我本人得到諾貝爾獎(jiǎng)的時(shí)候,我想我的媽媽會(huì)高興。但是,我錯(cuò)了。消息公布的那天早上,我給她打電話,她聽了只說:“這是好消息,不過我想知道,你下次什么時(shí)候來看我?”如今在我們兄弟當(dāng)中,我終也拿到了哈佛學(xué)位,我想這,她會(huì)感到滿意。
Another difficulty with giving a Harvard commencement address is that some of you may disapprove of the fact that I have borrowed material from previous speeches. I ask that you forgive me for two reasons.
在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上發(fā)表演說,還有一個(gè)難處,那就是你們中有些人可能有意見,不喜歡我重復(fù)前人演講中說過的話。我要求你們諒解我,因?yàn)閮蓚€(gè)理由。
First, in order to have impact, it is important to deliver the same message more than once. In science, it is important to be the first person to make a discovery, but it is even more important to be the last person to make that discovery.
首先,為了產(chǎn)生影響力,很重要的方法就是重復(fù)傳遞同樣的信息。在科學(xué)中,第一個(gè)發(fā)現(xiàn)者是重要的,但是在得到公認(rèn)前,后一個(gè)做出這個(gè)發(fā)現(xiàn)的人也許更重要。
Second, authors who borrow from others are following in the footsteps of the best. Ralph Waldo Emerson, who graduated from Harvard at the age of 18, noted “All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients.” Picasso declared “Good artists borrow. Great artists steal.” Why should commencement speakers be held to a higher standard?
其次,一個(gè)借鑒他人的作者,正走在一條前人開辟的佳道路上。哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)生、詩(shī)人愛默生曾經(jīng)寫下:“我好的一些思想,都是從古人那里偷來的?!碑嫾耶吋铀餍Q“優(yōu)秀的藝術(shù)家借鑒,偉大的藝術(shù)家偷竊?!蹦敲礊槭裁串厴I(yè)典禮的演說者,就不適用同樣的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)呢?
I also want to point out the irony of speaking to graduates of an institution that would have rejected me, had I the chutzpah to apply. I am married to “Dean Jean,” the former dean of admissions at Stanford. She assures me that she would have rejected me, if given the chance. When I showed her a draft of this speech, she objected strongly to my use of the word “rejected.” She never rejected applicants; her letters stated that “we are unable to offer you admission.” I have difficulty understanding the difference. After all, deans of admissions of highly selective schools are in reality, “deans of rejection.” Clearly, I have a lot to learn about marketing.
我還要指出一點(diǎn),向哈佛畢業(yè)生發(fā)表演說,對(duì)我來說是有諷刺意味的,因?yàn)槿绻?dāng)年我斗膽向哈佛大學(xué)遞交入學(xué)申請(qǐng),一定會(huì)被拒絕。我的妻子Jean當(dāng)過斯坦福大學(xué)的招生主任,她向我保證,如果當(dāng)年我申請(qǐng)斯坦福大學(xué),她會(huì)拒絕我。我把這篇演講的草稿給她過目,她強(qiáng)烈反對(duì)我使用“拒絕”這個(gè)詞,她從來不拒絕任何申請(qǐng)者。在拒絕信中,她總是寫:“我們無法提供你入學(xué)機(jī)會(huì)。”我分不清兩者到底有何差別。不過,那些大熱門學(xué)校的招生主任總是很現(xiàn)實(shí)的,堪稱“拒絕他人的主任”。很顯然,我需要好好學(xué)學(xué)怎么來推銷自己。
My address will follow the classical sonata form of commencement addresses. The first movement, just presented, were light-hearted remarks. This next movement consists of unsolicited advice, which is rarely valued, seldom remembered, never followed. As Oscar Wilde said, “The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” So, here comes the advice. First, every time you celebrate an achievement, be thankful to those who made it possible. Thank your parents and friends who supported you, thank your professors who were inspirational, and especially thank the other professors whose less-than-brilliant lectures forced you to teach yourself. Going forward, the ability to teach yourself is the hallmark of a great liberal arts education and will be the key to your success. To your fellow students who have added immeasurably to your education during those late night discussions, hug them. Also, of course, thank Harvard. Should you forget, there’s an alumni association to remind you. Second, in your future life, cultivate a generous spirit. In all negotiations, don’t bargain for the last, little advantage. Leave the change on the table. In your collaborations, always remember that “credit” is not a conserved quantity. In a successful collaboration, everybody gets 90 percent of the credit.
畢業(yè)典禮演講都遵循古典奏鳴曲的結(jié)構(gòu),我的演講也不例外。剛才是第一樂章——輕快的閑談。接下來的第二樂章是送上門的忠告。這樣的忠告很少有價(jià)值,幾乎注定被忘記,永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)被實(shí)踐。但是,就像王爾德說的:“對(duì)于忠告,你所能做的,就是把它送給別人,因?yàn)樗鼘?duì)你沒有任何用處。”所以,下面就是我的忠告。第一,取得成就的時(shí)候,不要忘記前人。要感謝你的父母和支持你的朋友,要感謝那些啟發(fā)過你的教授,尤其要感謝那些上不好課的教授,因?yàn)樗麄兤仁鼓阕詫W(xué)。從整體看,自學(xué)能力是優(yōu)秀的文科教育中必不可少的,將成為你成功的關(guān)鍵。你還要去擁抱你的同學(xué),感謝他們同你進(jìn)行過的許多次徹夜長(zhǎng)談,這為你的教育帶來了無法衡量的價(jià)值。當(dāng)然,你還要感謝哈佛大學(xué)。不過即使你忘了這一點(diǎn),校友會(huì)也會(huì)來提醒你。第二,在你們未來的人生中,做一個(gè)慷慨大方的人。在任何談判中,都把后一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)利益留給對(duì)方。不要把桌上的錢都拿走。在合作中,不要把榮譽(yù)留給自己。成功合作的任何一方,都應(yīng)獲得全部榮譽(yù)的90%。
尊敬的Faust校長(zhǎng),哈佛集團(tuán)的各位成員,監(jiān)管理事會(huì)的各位理事,各位老師,各位家長(zhǎng),各位朋友,以及重要的各位畢業(yè)生同學(xué),
Thank you for letting me share this wonderful day with you.
感謝你們,讓我有機(jī)會(huì)同你們一起分享這個(gè)美妙的日子。
I am not sure I can live up to the high standards of Harvard Commencement speakers. Last year, J.K. Rowling, the billionaire novelist, who started as a classics student, graced this podium. The year before, Bill Gates, the mega-billionaire philanthropist and computer nerd stood here. Today, sadly, you have me. I am not wealthy, but at least I am a nerd.
我不太肯定,自己夠得上哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮演講人這樣的殊榮。去年登上這個(gè)講臺(tái)的是,英國(guó)億萬身家的小說家J.K. Rowling女士,她早是一個(gè)古典文學(xué)的學(xué)生。前年站在這里的是比爾·蓋茨先生,他是一個(gè)超級(jí)富翁、一個(gè)慈善家和電腦天才。今年很遺憾,你們的演講人是我,雖然我不是很有錢,但是至少我是一個(gè)高手。
I am grateful to receive an honorary degree from Harvard, an honor that means more to me than you might care to imagine. You see, I was the academic black sheep of my family. My older brother has an M.D./Ph.D. from MIT and Harvard while my younger brother has a law degree from Harvard. When I was awarded a Nobel Prize, I thought my mother would be pleased. Not so. When I called her on the morning of the announcement, she replied, “That’s nice, but when are you going to visit me next.” Now, as the last brother with a degree from Harvard, maybe, at last, she will be satisfied.
我很感激哈佛大學(xué)給我榮譽(yù)學(xué)位,這對(duì)我很重要,也許比你們會(huì)想到的還要重要。要知道,在學(xué)術(shù)上,我是我們家的異類。我的哥哥在麻省理工學(xué)院得到醫(yī)學(xué)博士,在哈佛大學(xué)得到哲學(xué)博士;我的弟弟在哈佛大學(xué)得到一個(gè)法律學(xué)位。我本人得到諾貝爾獎(jiǎng)的時(shí)候,我想我的媽媽會(huì)高興。但是,我錯(cuò)了。消息公布的那天早上,我給她打電話,她聽了只說:“這是好消息,不過我想知道,你下次什么時(shí)候來看我?”如今在我們兄弟當(dāng)中,我終也拿到了哈佛學(xué)位,我想這,她會(huì)感到滿意。
Another difficulty with giving a Harvard commencement address is that some of you may disapprove of the fact that I have borrowed material from previous speeches. I ask that you forgive me for two reasons.
在哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)典禮上發(fā)表演說,還有一個(gè)難處,那就是你們中有些人可能有意見,不喜歡我重復(fù)前人演講中說過的話。我要求你們諒解我,因?yàn)閮蓚€(gè)理由。
First, in order to have impact, it is important to deliver the same message more than once. In science, it is important to be the first person to make a discovery, but it is even more important to be the last person to make that discovery.
首先,為了產(chǎn)生影響力,很重要的方法就是重復(fù)傳遞同樣的信息。在科學(xué)中,第一個(gè)發(fā)現(xiàn)者是重要的,但是在得到公認(rèn)前,后一個(gè)做出這個(gè)發(fā)現(xiàn)的人也許更重要。
Second, authors who borrow from others are following in the footsteps of the best. Ralph Waldo Emerson, who graduated from Harvard at the age of 18, noted “All my best thoughts were stolen by the ancients.” Picasso declared “Good artists borrow. Great artists steal.” Why should commencement speakers be held to a higher standard?
其次,一個(gè)借鑒他人的作者,正走在一條前人開辟的佳道路上。哈佛大學(xué)畢業(yè)生、詩(shī)人愛默生曾經(jīng)寫下:“我好的一些思想,都是從古人那里偷來的?!碑嫾耶吋铀餍Q“優(yōu)秀的藝術(shù)家借鑒,偉大的藝術(shù)家偷竊?!蹦敲礊槭裁串厴I(yè)典禮的演說者,就不適用同樣的標(biāo)準(zhǔn)呢?
I also want to point out the irony of speaking to graduates of an institution that would have rejected me, had I the chutzpah to apply. I am married to “Dean Jean,” the former dean of admissions at Stanford. She assures me that she would have rejected me, if given the chance. When I showed her a draft of this speech, she objected strongly to my use of the word “rejected.” She never rejected applicants; her letters stated that “we are unable to offer you admission.” I have difficulty understanding the difference. After all, deans of admissions of highly selective schools are in reality, “deans of rejection.” Clearly, I have a lot to learn about marketing.
我還要指出一點(diǎn),向哈佛畢業(yè)生發(fā)表演說,對(duì)我來說是有諷刺意味的,因?yàn)槿绻?dāng)年我斗膽向哈佛大學(xué)遞交入學(xué)申請(qǐng),一定會(huì)被拒絕。我的妻子Jean當(dāng)過斯坦福大學(xué)的招生主任,她向我保證,如果當(dāng)年我申請(qǐng)斯坦福大學(xué),她會(huì)拒絕我。我把這篇演講的草稿給她過目,她強(qiáng)烈反對(duì)我使用“拒絕”這個(gè)詞,她從來不拒絕任何申請(qǐng)者。在拒絕信中,她總是寫:“我們無法提供你入學(xué)機(jī)會(huì)。”我分不清兩者到底有何差別。不過,那些大熱門學(xué)校的招生主任總是很現(xiàn)實(shí)的,堪稱“拒絕他人的主任”。很顯然,我需要好好學(xué)學(xué)怎么來推銷自己。
My address will follow the classical sonata form of commencement addresses. The first movement, just presented, were light-hearted remarks. This next movement consists of unsolicited advice, which is rarely valued, seldom remembered, never followed. As Oscar Wilde said, “The only thing to do with good advice is to pass it on. It is never of any use to oneself.” So, here comes the advice. First, every time you celebrate an achievement, be thankful to those who made it possible. Thank your parents and friends who supported you, thank your professors who were inspirational, and especially thank the other professors whose less-than-brilliant lectures forced you to teach yourself. Going forward, the ability to teach yourself is the hallmark of a great liberal arts education and will be the key to your success. To your fellow students who have added immeasurably to your education during those late night discussions, hug them. Also, of course, thank Harvard. Should you forget, there’s an alumni association to remind you. Second, in your future life, cultivate a generous spirit. In all negotiations, don’t bargain for the last, little advantage. Leave the change on the table. In your collaborations, always remember that “credit” is not a conserved quantity. In a successful collaboration, everybody gets 90 percent of the credit.
畢業(yè)典禮演講都遵循古典奏鳴曲的結(jié)構(gòu),我的演講也不例外。剛才是第一樂章——輕快的閑談。接下來的第二樂章是送上門的忠告。這樣的忠告很少有價(jià)值,幾乎注定被忘記,永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)被實(shí)踐。但是,就像王爾德說的:“對(duì)于忠告,你所能做的,就是把它送給別人,因?yàn)樗鼘?duì)你沒有任何用處。”所以,下面就是我的忠告。第一,取得成就的時(shí)候,不要忘記前人。要感謝你的父母和支持你的朋友,要感謝那些啟發(fā)過你的教授,尤其要感謝那些上不好課的教授,因?yàn)樗麄兤仁鼓阕詫W(xué)。從整體看,自學(xué)能力是優(yōu)秀的文科教育中必不可少的,將成為你成功的關(guān)鍵。你還要去擁抱你的同學(xué),感謝他們同你進(jìn)行過的許多次徹夜長(zhǎng)談,這為你的教育帶來了無法衡量的價(jià)值。當(dāng)然,你還要感謝哈佛大學(xué)。不過即使你忘了這一點(diǎn),校友會(huì)也會(huì)來提醒你。第二,在你們未來的人生中,做一個(gè)慷慨大方的人。在任何談判中,都把后一點(diǎn)點(diǎn)利益留給對(duì)方。不要把桌上的錢都拿走。在合作中,不要把榮譽(yù)留給自己。成功合作的任何一方,都應(yīng)獲得全部榮譽(yù)的90%。