Self-reliance‏

As American settlers moved west in the early and mid-19th century, they had to learn to depend on themselves. They didn't have all the comforts of their homes back East. These brave pioneers had to build their own houses, invent new farm tools and make clothes and household items out of the resources available. As a result, Americans developed a “can-do” spirit and an optimism about their ability to handle any challenge. They would jokingly say that a difficult problem can be solved immediately; an impossible one may take a little longer.
十九世紀初期與中期，當定居美國
東部的居民往西部遷移時，他們必須學
會凡事倚靠自己。他們無法再享有跟東
部家中同樣的舒適，這些勇敢的拓荒者
必須自己蓋房子、發明新的農具、並且
利用手邊有限的物資來做衣服和家庭用
品。因此，美國人便養成了一種「做得
到」的精神和樂觀的態度——相信他們
有能力處理任何的挑戰。他們開玩笑地
說，難題可以立即獲得解決，而不可能
的難題只是需要花多一點時間而已。
The American writer and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed the American pioneer spirit in his 1841 essay, “Self-Reliance.” In this essay, Emerson stated that people should be independent, not conforming to the opinions of others. Emerson believed that each person should be content and at peace within himself. This philosophy of self-reliance and individualism shaped the thinking of many Americans.
美國有一位作家與哲學家愛默生，
在一八四一年所寫一篇題為「獨立自主」
的散文中，表達了這種美國的拓荒精
神。愛默生在這篇文章裡說，人都應該
獨立自主，不要去附和別人的意見，愛
默生認為每個人心中都應該感到滿足而
平安。這種獨立與個人主義的哲學影響
了很多美國人的想法。
America's philosophy of self-reliance has produced a nation of do-it-yourselfers.
Americans have long been proud of their ability to invent, build and fix things for themselves. For example, it's almost part of the “macho male” image for men to work on their own cars or build things with wood. Auto parts stores and home improvement centers offer them everything they need to do the job right.
美國這種獨立自主的哲學造就了一
個「自己動手做」的國家。美國人一向
對他們能夠發明、建造和修理東西的能
力感到自豪。舉例來說，能幹的男子漢
形象包括了男人自己動手修車或做木
工，汽車零件商店與家事工具店裡提供
了他們所需要的各種工具，以便幫助他
們把工作做好。
Most bookstores in America include do-it-yourself books on topics ranging from repairing
washing machines to planting a garden. Of course, not all Americans are handymen;
some are all thumbs. But Americans like to believe they can do many things on their own.
美國大多數的書店都有
「自己動手做」的書籍，內容五花八門，
從修理洗衣機到闢一個花園應有盡有。
當然，並不是所有的美國人都能自己動
手做，有些人還是笨手笨腳的。不過，
美國人喜歡相信，他們可以自己動手做
很多的事。
Even though Americans often try to “pull themselves up by their own bootstraps,” they still need to depend on others. The early pioneers traveled together in wagon trains and settled in communities to support each other. And many Americans realize that they have to rely on God, too. But to Americans, even God expects people to be self-reliant. A famous quote by Benjamin Franklin expresses this idea well: “God helps those who help themselves.”
雖然美國人經常試著要靠自己的力
量打拼，他們有時候還是需要倚靠別
人。早期的拓荒者隨著篷車隊一同旅
行，在社區內定居下來互相扶助。很多
美國人知道，他們也必須仰賴上帝。不
過，美國人認為，即使上帝也是希望人
可以獨立自主。富蘭克林有一句名言，
把這種想法表達得淋漓盡致：「天助自
助者。」
Even though Americans often try to “pull themselves up by their own bootstraps,” they still need to depend on others. The early pioneers traveled together in wagon trains and settled in communities to support each other. And many Americans realize that they have to rely on God, too. But to Americans, even God expects people to be self-reliant. A famous quote by Benjamin Franklin expresses this idea well: “God helps those who help themselves.”
雖然美國人經常試著要靠自己的力
量打拼，他們有時候還是需要倚靠別
人。早期的拓荒者隨著篷車隊一同旅
行，在社區內定居下來互相扶助。很多
美國人知道，他們也必須仰賴上帝。不
過，美國人認為，即使上帝也是希望人
可以獨立自主。富蘭克林有一句名言，
把這種想法表達得淋漓盡致：「天助自
助者。」
?Word Bankoptimism (n) 樂觀（主義）
conform (v) 使一致；遵從
individualism (n) 個人主義
macho male (adj phr) 像能幹的男子漢般的
handyman (n) 很會動手做東西的人
all thumbs (adj phr) 笨手笨腳的
pull oneself up by one's own bootstraps (n phr) 獨立奮鬥成功
pull oneself up by one's own bootstraps (n phr) 獨立奮鬥成功

The Day's Phrase

Apps for Mac and a brand new operating system ... What else does the tech giant have in store?
除了麥金塔應用程式，還有全新作業系統??科技鉅子蘋果公司還有沒有其他法寶？

I thought we made a square deal. It is a good business decision.
我認為我們的交易很公道。這項決定是筆不錯的生意。
People who own a Rolls Royce own a status symbol--everyone knows that they are very rich.
擁有勞斯萊斯的人也擁有某種地位的表徵──每個人都知道他們很有錢。

Discover innovative ideas in small towns that are slowly but surely making a difference
一探小鎮的創新點子，正逐步穩紮穩打地改變現況
The star from V TV stole the show. She was wonderful.那個V電視台的明星搶盡鋒頭。她表演得真棒。

A small people group in India is more unique than we realized
印度一小群人口遠比人們所想像的還更獨特

He always looks forward to this day each year. It's a red-letter day.
他一向很期待每年的這一天。今天是個節日啊。

Diamonds save the world, water is found on the moon, and teamwork facilitates surgery
一探為何鑽石能拯救世界、月球上有水，以及團隊合作如何有助於外科手術
"This box of candy is for you, Tina. Sweets for the sweet. Happy Valentine's Day!" James said.
「這盒糖果是給妳的，蒂娜。甜蜜的東西送給甜蜜的人。情人節快樂！」詹姆斯說。

My boyfriend and I are going to paint the town red tonight. He has made a lot of fun plans for us.
我的男朋友和我今晚要狂歡一番。他已經替我們計劃了很多好玩的事