三篇英语美文

摘抄要真正提高习作水平,必须做到多读精思,多思多写。我分享超经典英语美文，希望可以帮助大家!

The summer before fifth grade, my world was turned upside down when my family moved from the country town where I was born and raised to a town near the beach. When school began, I found it difficult to be accepted by the kids in my class who seemed a little more sophisticated, and who had been in the same class together since first grade.

I also found this Catholic school different from the public school I had attended. At my old school, it was acceptable to express yourself to the teacher. Here, it was considered outrageous to even suggest a change be made in the way things were done.

My mom taught me that if I wanted something in life, I had to speak up or figure out a way to make it happen. No one was going to do it for me. It was up to me to control my destiny.

I quickly learned that my classmates were totally intimidated by the strict Irish nuns who ran the school. My schoolmates were so afraid of the nuns' wrath that they rarely spoke up for themselves or suggested a change.

Not only were the nuns intimidating(吓人的), they also had some strange habits. The previous year, my classmates had been taught by a nun named Sister Rose. This year, she came to our class to teach music several times a week. During their year with her, she had earned the nickname Pick-Her-Nose-Rose. My classmates swore that during silent reading, she'd prop her book up so that she could have herself a booger-picking session without her students noticing. The worst of it, they told me, was that after reading was over, she'd stroll through the classroom and select a victim whose hair would be the recipient of one of her prize boogers. She'd pretend to be praising one of her students by rubbing her long, bony(骨的) fingers through their hair! Well, to say the least, I did not look forward to her sort of praise.

One day during music, I announced to Sister Rose that the key of the song we were learning was too high for our voices. Every kid in the class turned toward me with wide eyes and looks of total disbelief. I had spoken my opinion to a teacher - one of the Irish nuns!

That was the day I gained acceptance with the class. Whenever they wanted something changed, they'd beg me to stick up for them. I was willing to take the punishment for the possibility of making a situation better and of course to avoid any special attention from Pick-Her-Nose-Rose. But I also knew that I was being used by my classmates who just couldn't find their voices and stick up for themselves.

Things pretty much continued like this through sixth and seventh grades. Although we changed teachers, we stayed in the same class together and I remained the voice of the class.

At last, eighth grade rolled around and one early fall morning our new teacher, Mrs. Haggard - not a nun, but strict nevertheless - announced that we would be holding elections for class representatives. I was elected Vice President.

That same day, while responding to a fire drill, the new president and I were excitedly discussing our victory when, suddenly, Mrs. Haggard appeared before us with her hands on her hips. The words that came out of her mouth left me surprised and confused. "You're impeached!" she shouted at the two of us. My first reaction was to burst out laughing because I had no idea what the word "impeached" meant. When she explained that we were out of office for talking during a fire drill, I was devastated.

Our class held elections again at the beginning of the second semester. This time, I was elected president, which I took as a personal victory. I was more determined than ever to represent the rights of my oppressed classmates.

My big opportunity came in late spring. One day, the kids from the other eighth grade class were arriving at school in "free dress," wearing their coolest new outfits, while our class arrived in our usual uniforms: the girls in their pleated wool skirts and the boys in their salt and pepper pants. "How in the world did this happen?" we all wanted to know. One of the eighth graders from the other class explained that their teacher got permission from our principal, Sister Anna, as a special treat for her students.

We were so upset that we made a pact to go in and let our teacher know that we felt totally ripped off. We agreed that when she inevitably gave us what had become known to us as her famous line, "If you don't like it, you can leave," we'd finally do it. We'd walk out together.

Once in the classroom, I raised my hand and stood up to speak to our teacher. About eight others rose to show their support. I explained how betrayed we felt as the seniors of the school to find the other eighth graders in free dress while we had to spend the day in our dorky uniforms. We wanted to know why she hadn't spoken on our behalf and made sure that we weren't left out of this privilege.

For years I wanted a flower garden. I'd spend hours thinking of different things I could plant that would look nice together.

But then we had Matthew. And Marvin. And the twins, Alisa and Alan. And then Helen. Five children. I was too busy raising them to grow a garden.

Money was tight, as well as time. Often when my children were little, one of them would want something that cost too much, and I'd have to say, "Do you see a money tree outside? Money doesn't grow on trees, you know."

Finally, all five got through high school and college and were off on their own. I started thinking again about having a garden.

I wasn't sure, though. I mean, gardens do cost money, and after all these years I was used to living on a pretty lean(贫乏的) , no-frills budget.

Then, one spring morning, on Mother's Day, I was working in my kitchen. Suddenly, I realized that cars were tooting(吹奏，狂欢) their horns as they drove by. I looked out the window and there was a new tree, planted right in my yard. I thought it must be a weeping willow(垂柳) , because I saw things blowing around on all its branches. Then I put my glasses on - and I couldn't believe what I saw.

There was a money tree in my yard!

I went outside to look. It was true! There were dollar bills, one hundred of them, taped all over that tree. Think of all the garden flowers I could buy with one hundred dollars! There was also a note attached: "IOU eight hours of digging time. Love, Marvin."

Marvin kept his promise, too. He dug up a nice ten-by-fifteen foot bed for me. And my other children bought me tools, ornaments(装饰品) , a trellis(格子，框架) , a sunflower stepping stone and gardening books.

That was three years ago. My garden's now very pretty, just like I wanted. When I go out and weed(除草，铲除) or tend my flowers, I don't seem to miss my children as much as I once did. It feels like they're right there with me.

I live up in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where winters are long and cold, and summers are way too short. But every year now, when winter sets in, I look out my window and think of the flowers I'll see next spring in my little garden. I think about what my children did for me, and I get tears in my eyes - every time.

I'm still not sure that money grows on trees. But I know love does!

"If I never saw this kid again, Lord, I wouldn't be sorry!" I thought. Tears clouded my eyes as I stood in our laundry room(洗衣间) . Clenched(紧握的) in both hands were new jeans and a shirt belonging to my 16-year-old stepson, Brett. The clothing was already destroyed from burn holes and vomit stains(污点) after a drunken binge(狂欢，放纵) .

Exhausted and defeated, I sank to the floor. The clothes were just one more thing Brett had ruined. He had already kicked a large hole in his bedroom wall; his bedcovers(床罩) were torn. Numerous windows in our house needed repair due to his breaking in to steal money when he chose to live on the street. Yet none of this could compare to the emotional damage Brett had inflicted(遭受，给予) on our once quiet home.

I knew that Brett's needs were deep, and I had often prayed for wisdom and love. The second greatest commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," had taken on new meaning when Brett came to live with us when he was 12 years old. If I were to love my neighbor, was I not to love my own troubled stepson even more?

During those four years I had dealt with Brett as patiently as possible, but inside I was churning. "I don't want him in my house another day, Lord," I cried as I knelt on the laundry room floor. "I just can't stand him!"

Chest heaving, I poured out my despair. Then God tenderly spoke to me in my weakness. Matthew 25:35-40 rose in my thoughts---Jesus' declaration that when we invite a stranger, feed the hungry, clothe the naked or visit those in prison, we are doing it as unto Him. For the first time I saw this story in light of the action words. Jesus was saying, "Act. Meet these people's needs. Through your actions you are loving them and Me."

God's encouragement to me that day helped me to gather strength and continue parenting Brett. Still, Brett did not change his behavior.

When Brett was nearly 18, he landed again in Juvenile Hall, this time on suicide watch. Through prayer, my husband, Dave, and I sensed God's leading to send Brett to a boarding school(寄宿学校) with a high success rate for helping troubled teens.

The psychological training at Brett's school was rigorous(严格的，严酷的) . Out of more than 20 people in his class, Brett was one of only five graduates.

At the graduation ceremony the graduates stood one by one to thank those who had helped them. Each graduate held a long-stemmed, white rosebud to give to the person who had meant the most to him or her.

Brett spoke lovingly to his mother and father and for the first time took responsibility for the heartaches he had caused.

Finally Brett spoke to me. "You did so much," he said. "You were always there, no matter what. My mom and dad, I was their kid. But you just got stuck with me. All the same you always showed me such love. And I want you to know that I love you for it."

Stunned, I stood as Brett placed the white rosebud in my hand and hugged me hard.

At that moment I realized the truth in God's words to me. Although I had struggled with silent anger toward my stepson, Brett had seen only my actions.

Love is action. We may not always have positive feelings about certain people in our lives. But we can love them.

英语美文欣赏是一种能力，美文读多了，自然会产生一种语感，有时一些精美的语段还可以摘录下来，供我们写作之用。以下是我整理的英语美文鉴赏3篇，供大家品读和赏析。

一：有些事情总是太晚了才明白

What Are The Lessons People Most Often Learn Too Late In Life?

有哪些重要的事人们总是太晚才明白?

Just because you think its a good idea, doesn't mean it is a good idea.

只是因为你认为这是一个好主意，并不意味着这是一个好主意。

Be Careful What You Get Good At

对你擅长的事要小心。

Sacrificing your health to pursue wealth isn't worth it.

牺牲你的健康追求财富是不值得的。

Don't take your body for granted.

不要把你的身体当成理所当然。

Right and Wrong are subjective truths.

正确和错误都是主观的。

None of the best experiences of your life will happen staring a computer screen, a phone screen or a TV.

光是盯着电脑屏幕、手机屏幕或者电视是不可能体验生活的美好的。

Keep yourself strong because forever is a lie.

保持坚强，因为并没有所谓的“永远”。

All you need is enough energy to see tomorrow.

你唯一需要的是活到明天所需的能量。

Over-promise sets you apart from the people who under-promise. 
Over-deliver sets you apart from people who just delivered.

过度承诺使你从那些不能承诺的人中脱颖而出。给出比预期更好的结果则让你从那些仅仅完成任务的人中脱颖而出。

The secret of Happiness is to find out what you love and then directing all your energy towards doing it.

幸福的秘诀是找出你所爱的事，然后动用你所有的能量来做这件事。

Keep trying until you get it right.

继续尝试，直到你做对为止。

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

如果我们有勇气去追求，那我们所有的梦想都可以成真。

The only place where our dreams become IMPOSSIBLE is your thinking.

没有哪个梦想是不可能实现的，“不可能”都是你臆想出来的。

Make sure to wake up smarter tomorrow.

每天都要比昨天更聪明一点。

Don’t let words of mouth control you, take control of your life by yourself.

不要让别人的闲言碎语控制你，自己控制自己的人生。

二：善待自己，善待别人

If you want to know how others treat you, the best starting place is to look at how you treat others.

如果你想知道其他人如何对待你，最好的起点是看你如何对待别人。

And if you don't like the way you're treated, there's only one course of action—to change your own behavior, because you can't change anyone else's.

如果你不喜欢别人对待你的方式，只有改变自己行为这一个行动路线，因为你不能改变别人。

Relationships function like a mirror--eventually that change will reflect back onto how you are treated.

人际关系交往就像一面镜子，最终你对待别人这个改变会映射到别人怎么对待你。

Here are nine important principles to remember about how to treat others:

这里5项关于如何对待别人的重要原则需要铭记：

1. Instead of judging people by their past, stand by them and help them build their future.

1. 与其通过过去评价别人，不如与他们肩并肩帮助他们建立未来。

Everyone has a past. Some are a source of pride, and others are best left behind. But whatever their past, people do change and grow, so instead of judging, stand by and support them as they move toward their future. Treat them with respect and make their journey your own.

每人都有过去。有些是自豪之源，其他最好留在过去。但是无论他们的过去是什么，人们确实在改变和成长，所以与其评价过去，不如在他们走向未来时肩并肩地支持他们。满怀尊重地对待他们并把他们的旅程当作你自己的。

2. Listen with curiosity, speak with candor, and act with integrity.

2. 带着好奇倾听，坦白地讲话并正直地行动。

Listening and curiosity allow relationships to thrive. Speaking your truth allows people to be honest with themselves and with you, and acting with integrity keeps relationships on a high standard. Relationships need curiosity to grow, candor to deepen, and integrity to continue.

倾听与好奇让人际关系生根发芽。真实地表达让人们诚实地面对自己和你，并正直地行动保持人际关系在一个高标准。人际关系需要好奇来维持、坦率来增进、正直来继续。

3. Treat everyone with kindness--not because they are kindhearted, but because you are.

3. 友善地对待每一个人，并非因为他们心地善良，而是因为你是这样的人。

One of the greatest gifts we can give another is kindness. If someone is in need, lend a helping hand. Don't do it only for the people you like and respect--that's easy--but also for the ones who drive you crazy and those you don't even know. True kindness lies in the act of giving without the expectation of getting something in return.

我们能给别人的最好的礼物之一是友善。如果别人需要，帮一把手。不要因为是你喜欢或尊重的人才帮，那比较简单，而是要对那些使你发疯或者不知道的人也要如此。真正的友善在于真诚地付出而不要求回报。

4. Don't try to make yourself great by making someone else look small.

4. 不要试图使别人渺小来成就自己的伟大。

The moment you think you have the right to belittle others because you are better than they are is the moment you prove you have no power. People tend to make others feel how they themselves feel, whether it's great or small. If you can't offer help, support, or love, at least do everything in your power not to hurt them or make them feel small. Treat everyone you meet with honor.

你认为自己比他们好所以有权利贬低他们的时刻就是你证明自己没有权力的时候。无论那感觉是伟大还是渺小，人们倾向于使别人感觉他们所感觉的。如果你不能提供帮助、支持或者关爱，至少在你权力内做一些事情不伤害他们或者使他们感觉渺小的事情。尊重地对待你见到的每一个人。

5. Remember, everyone has a story.

5. 记住，每人都有故事。

It may be something they've gone through in the past or something they're still dealing with, but remember that behavior doesn't happen in a vacuum. Everyone has inner battles and issues. Withhold judgment and instead offer the consideration you'd like to receive.

它可能是他们过去经历的或者一些他们仍在处理的事，但记住行为不凭空产生。每人都有内在的斗争与问题。保留判断而不是提供你想得到的体贴。

三：珍惜你邂逅的每个人

We don't meet people by accident.

我们遇见的人不是偶然。

Every person you meet will have a role in your life, be it big or small. Some will help you grow, some will hurt you, some will inspire you to do better. At the same time, you are playing some role in their lives as well. Know that paths cross for a reason and treat people with significance.

无论大小，你见到的每一个人将在你的人生中扮演一个角色。一些人帮助你成长，一些人伤害你，一些人激励你做的更好。与此同时，你也在他们的人生中扮演一定的角色。知道道路不会无缘无故交错，有意义地对待别人。

The best teachers are those who don't tell you how to get there but show the way.

最佳的老师，并非授人以鱼，而是授人以渔。

There is no better joy then helping people see a vision for themselves, seeing them go to levels higher than they ever would have imagined on their own. But that doesn't mean you have to fix them or enable them; instead, guide them to the source of their own power. Offer them support and motivation as they find their own way and show you what they're capable of. All you have to do is believe in them.

再没有比帮助别人自己看到未来、看到他们到达了他们原来也没想到的高度让人更高兴的事了。但这不意味着你不得不更正他们或者武装他们，取而代之的是，引导他们到达自己的能力之源。当他们找到自己的路并展示给你他们的能力时，提供给他们帮助和激励。你所做的就是相信他们。

Never look down on someone unless you are helping them up.

绝不轻视他人，除非你在帮助他们成长。

We like to think of life as a meritocracy, so it's easy to look down on someone who isn't as successful or accomplished or well educated as you are. But you have no idea how far that person has already climbed or where they will end up. Time could easily reverse your positions, so be sure you treat everyone with dignity.

我们喜欢相信生活是精英统治，所以很容易看低那些还没有像你一样成功，或有成就，或受过良好教育的人。但是你不知道那个人已经攀登到哪里或将要在哪里结束。时间会很容易地翻转你们的位置，所以一定要尊重地对待别人。

Appreciate those who have supported you, forgive those who have hurt you, help those who need you.

欣赏那些支持你的人，原谅那些伤害你的人，帮助那些需要你的人。

Business is complicated, life is complex, and leadership is difficult. Treat all people--including yourself--with love and compassion, and you can't go wrong.

生意是复杂的，生活是难懂的，领导者是难当的。满怀爱和同情地对待所有人，包括你自己，这样你才不会犯错。

Treat people the way you want to be treated and life will instantly get better.

对待他人，如同你所希望被对待的方式，生活也因此更美好。