Life’s Lessons
Four years ago I published a volume called ，which started out as advice I wanted to pass on to my son as he went off to university. To my surprise， the book became a best seller， and readers were soon sending me their own wise sayings， humorous observations and practical advice. The following pearls of wisdom were collected from many people. Some of these lessons were not easily learnt. Many were the culmination of years of experience. Still others came as spontaneous revelations. But in each case the person has learnt that.
Taking a break in the middle of the job isn’t half as relaxing as taking a break after the job is finished.
It’s hard to lie when you are looking into your mother’s eyes.
You should never buy a white carpet if you have a black dog.
You should always put on a new swimsuit and get it wet before wearing it in public.
Students who pay their own way through university never drop out.
A minute of extra thinking beforehand can save hours of worry later.
Life is like a ten-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.
It gives me great pleasure to ask “what’s the best thing that happened to me today？ ’’ at the end of every day.
There are good neighbours wherever you live.
When you’re too busy for friends， you’re too busy.
Keep your words soft and tender because tomorrow you may have to eat them.
Opportunities are never lost； someone will take the one you miss.
Saying “hello” to somebody today can result in a new friend tomorrow.
If you are still talking about what you did yesterday， you haven’t done much today.
You shouldn’t leave your fork on your plate when you reheat food in the microwave.
我在4年前出版了一本《生活小指南》。最初，我隻是想借此給剛上大學的兒子一些建議。沒想到這本書竟成了暢銷書，不久，讀者便紛紛寄來他們的格言、趣聞以及實踐中得到的經驗教訓。以下便是提煉百家之言所成的智慧精華，其中很多都是不易學到的。有一些是積累的生活經驗；另外一些是發自肺腑的瞬間感悟。總之，每個人都能從中有所收獲。