Genius may not be necessary, though even genius of the highest sort does not disdain the use of these ordinary qualities. The very greatest men have been among the least believers in the power of genius, and as worldly wise and persevering as successful men of the commoner sort. A distinguished teacher and president of a college spoke of it as the power of making efforts.
　　天赋或许是不必要的，即使是具备最高天赋的人也不轻视使用一般性的才能。最伟大的人物一直列身于最不相信天赋力量的人们之中，他们像一般的成功者一样，是善于处世和坚韧不拔的。一位杰出的教师兼大学校长说，天赋是努力赋予的力量。

　　Newton's was unquestionably a mind of the very highest order, and yet, when asked by what means he had worked out his extraordinary discoveries, he modestly answered, "By always thinking unto them." It was in Newton's case, as in every other, only by diligent application and perseverance that his great reputation was achieved.
　　无可争议，牛顿的头脑是最高才智的头脑，然而当问到他是用什么方法获得惊人的发现时，牛顿谦虚地回答：“全靠对那些问题不断地深思。”牛顿的事例和其它事例一样，就是靠孜孜不倦的努力和坚持不懈的精神，他才获得了极大的声望。

　　To wait patiently, however, men must work cheerfully. Cheerfulness and diligence are nine-tenths of practical wisdom. They are the life and soul of success, as well as of happiness; perhaps the very highest pleasure in life consisting in clear, brisk, conscious working; energy, confidence, and every other good quality mainly depending upon it.
　　不过，要想耐心地等待，人们必须愉快地工作。愉快和勤奋就是绝大部分的实用智慧。两者不仅是幸福的关键，也是成功的关键；或许人生最大的乐趣莫过于明确、轻快、自觉地工作；干劲、自信及其它好品质基本上全有赖于此。

　　One of the most successful, influential and beloved women in American history, Eleanor Roosevelt once said that she had one regret: she wished she had been prettier. Who hasn't felt the same way? We are all too aware of our physical imperfections. To overcome them, we spend billions upon billions of dollars every year-on cosmetics, diet products, fashion, and plastic surgery.
　　身为美国史上最成功、最有影响力且最受人喜爱的女性之一的罗斯福夫人曾说她有一个遗憾：她希望自己长得更漂亮。谁没有过同样的想法呢？我们都强烈感觉到自己身体的缺陷。为了克服缺陷，我们每年都要花费几十亿美元——在化妆品、减肥食品、流行时尚与整容手术上。