The Value of Life
Guidance for Reciting
Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money；it lies in the joy of achievement，in the thrill of creative effort.
The value of life does not consist in dedication or possession，but creation. Creation is the outspread of one's true temperament and the affectional satisfaction that one obtains when achieving his/her essential potence. Creation differs from dedication in that the former is the realization of the true“self”but the later，only the fulfillment of the exterior responsibilities. As for creation and possession，the difference between them is distinct at a glance. For instance，in writing，possession means the concern for the fame and the status brought by works but creation means the concern for the happiness of writing itself.
Notes
1.dedication [7dedi5keiFn] n. 奉献
生命的意义
诵读导言
幸福不在于拥有金钱，而在于获得成就时的喜悦以及产生创造力的激情。
生命的意义不在奉献或占有，而在创造，创造就是人的真性情的积极展开，是人在实现其本质力量时所获得的情感上的满足。创造不同于奉献，奉献只是完成外在的责任，创造却是实现真实的“自我”。至于创造和占有，其差别更是一目了然，譬如写作，占有注重的是作品所带来的名利地位，创造注重的只是创作本身的快乐。
注：本段源于第19届（2007）韩素音翻译大赛的汉译英部分的赛题（《在义与利之外》），本段节选自获奖译文（全文见：http：//kbs.cnki.net/Forums/46514/ShowPost.aspx）。其实网友另有多个译文版本，现附录其一于此，至于其中韵味与高下之分，望读者细细品鉴：The meaning of life lies in neither sacrifice nor possession，but in creation. To create is to actively develop your natural temperament；it generates a feeling of satisfaction because it releases your innate power. Creation differs from sacrifice，for it is not the meeting of any obligation，but the fulfillment of your true self. The difference between creation and possession is easier to tell. Take writing for example. If you write to possess，you have only fame and fortune on your mind；if you write to create，you think of little else but the sheer joy of creation.
