These days, it is of no surprise that a number of bookstores in big cities likeBeijing,Nanjingare squeezed out of bustling¹ commercial streets and give way to more profitable shopping malls, hotels and restaurants. This might be considered by some people as one of the natural outcomes of market-oriented economy, which puts more emphasis on money making than anything else. Books, however, as special commodities, can never be measured merely by their commercial values. Bookstores, as a distributor of books and a bridge between writers, publishers and readers, deserve preferential treatment at present.

这些天，我们并不讶于看到北京和南京等大城市的很多书店被挤出繁华的商业步行街让位给利润更高的商场，酒店和饭店。有的人可能会觉得这是市场经济的必然结果。市场经济更注重于盈利胜过其他一切。然而，书籍作为一种特别的商品从来不仅仅是以它们的商业价值就可以衡量的。目前，作为书籍的经销商以及作者与出版人和读者之间的桥梁，书店应该得到优待。

It is true that bookstores are not as lucrative² as some shopping malls or restaurants. However, books are faithful friends of mankind and steps to human progress. Good books can refresh people with knowledge and wisdom, which other commodities can not compare with. To some extent, they help develop the characters of their readers and reshape their way of thinking. It would be a pity if one only views books from the point of their commercial values while ignoring their social values and functions. In fact, the shrinking number of bookstores and their “humiliating defeat” in the fierce commercial war is worrisome.

书店确实不像一些商场和饭店那样盈利丰厚。但是书籍是人类最忠实的朋友，是人类进步的阶梯。好的书籍能够给人们补充新的知识和智慧，这是其他商品所不能比拟的。从某种程度上来说，书籍能够帮助读者发挥个性和重塑思维方式。如果一个人只看到它们的商业价值而忽视了它们的社会价值和功能，这将会是一大遗憾。事实上，书店数量的锐减以及在激烈的商业战争中羞愧战败确是件令人担忧的事。

While seeking economic success, we cannot afford to neglect our spiritual and cultural lives, which are equally important. Bookstores play a significant part in cultivating social ethics³. Through distributing quality books, bookstores help educate the public on righteous and healthy values and morals. The positive social effects of bookstores as well as their contribution to society can never be taken for granted and be judged by their economic returns and business earnings⁴. Restoring the past glory of bookstores needs help and support from everyone.

我们在寻求经济的成功的时候，我们不能忽视同样重要的精神和文化生活。书店在激发社会道德方面起着有意义的作用。通过经销好书，书店能够帮助群众树立仁义正确的价值和道德。书店对社会的积极影响和贡献不是理所当然的，也不应该以它们的经济效益和企业盈利来判断。恢复书店过去的荣誉需要每个人的帮助和支持。