Moral Values

Do Americans have any morals? That’s a good question. Many people insist that ideas about right and wrong are merely personal opinions. Some voices, though, are calling Americans back to traditional moral values. William J. Bennett, former U.S. Secretary of Education, edited The Book of Virtues in 1993 to do just that. Bennett suggests that great moral stories can build character. The success of Bennett’s book shows that many Americans still believe in moral values. But what are they?

美國人還有道德嗎？這是個好問題。許多人堅持對與錯乃是個人的意見。但是，還是
有些人在呼喚美國人回到傳統的道德價值裡去。威廉．班奈特，前任美國教育部長，
正是為了此目的而在一九九三年編輯了「美德」這本書。班奈特認為偉大的道德故事
可以建造性格。班奈持這本書的成功顯示了許多美國人仍然相信道德的價值。但是它
們到底為何？
To begin with, moral values in America are like those in any culture. In fact, many aspects of morality are universal. But the stories and traditions that teach them are unique to each culture. Not only that, but culture influences how people show these virtues.
最開始，道德價值在美國就像在任何其他的文化一樣。事實上，許多道德的觀點是全球
一致的。但是，不同的文化則有不同的故事和傳統來教導它們。不僅如此，文化也影響
了人民如何表現這些美德。




@word bank
virtue (n) 德行；善；美德
moral (adj) 道德的
aspect (n) 觀點；方面



@The Day's Phrase

Handy hints to help you get in control of your life
有助掌控生活的簡便訣竅

Did you get enough to eat?
你那樣夠吃嗎？

You should try this fish; it's very tender.
你應該試試這條魚；很嫩的喔。