We can make mistakes at any age.
我们在任何年龄都可能会犯错误。
Some mistakes we make are about money.
我们所犯的一些错误是关于钱的。
But most mistakes are about people.
但是大多数错误是关于人的。
“When I got that job, did Jim really feel good about it as a friend?
“当我得到那份工作时，吉姆作为一个朋友真的为此感到高兴吗？
Or is he envious of my luck?”
还是他嫉妒我的运气？”
“And Paul—why didn’t I find that he was friendly just because I had a car?”
“还有保罗——为什么我没有发现他对我友好仅仅是因为我有一辆车呢？”
When we look back, thinking about these can make us feel bad.
当我们回首过去时，思考这些会让我们感觉很糟糕。
But when we look back, it’s too late.
但是当我们回首过去时，已经太晚了。
Why do we go wrong about our friends—or our enemies?
为什么我们在对待我们的朋友——或者我们的敌人时会犯错？
Sometimes what people say hides their real meaning.
有时候人们所说的话隐藏了他们的真实含义。
And if we don’t really listen, we miss the feeling behind the words.
如果我们不真正去听，我们就会错过言语背后的情感。
When someone tells you, “You’re a lucky dog.”
当有人对你说：“你是个幸运儿。”
Is he really on your side?
他真的是站在你这一边吗？
If he says, “You are a lucky guy.”
如果他说：“你是一个幸运的家伙。”
That is being friendly.
那是友好的表现。
But “lucky dog”?
但是“幸运狗”呢？
There’s a little of envy in those words.
那些话里带有一点嫉妒。
How can you tell the real meaning behind someone’s words?
你如何能看出别人话语背后的真实含义呢？
One way is to take a good look at the person talking.
一个方法就是好好看一看说话的那个人。
Do his words mean the way he looks?
他的话语的意思和他的外表一致吗？
His way of speaking?
他的说话方式？
The look in his eyes?
他眼神中的神态？
Stop and think.
停下来想一想。
The minute you spend thinking about the real meaning of what people say to you may save mistakes.
只要你花时间去思考别人对你所说的话的真实含义，也许就能少犯错误。
全英文全文
We can make mistakes at any age. Some mistakes we make are about money. But most mistakes are about people. “When I got that job, did Jim really feel good about it as a friend? Or is he envious of my luck?” “And Paul—why didn’t I find that he was friendly just because I had a car?” When we look back, thinking about these can make us feel bad. But when we look back, it’s too late.
Why do we go wrong about our friends—or our enemies? Sometimes what people say hides their real meaning. And if we don’t really listen, we miss the feeling behind the words. When someone tells you, “You’re a lucky dog.” Is he really on your side? If he says, “You are a lucky guy.” That is being friendly. But “lucky dog”? There’s a little of envy in those words.
How can you tell the real meaning behind someone’s words? One way is to take a good look at the person talking. Do his words mean the way he looks? His way of speaking? The look in his eyes? Stop and think. The minute you spend thinking about the real meaning of what people say to you may save mistakes.