In a small village there lived a man who was always happy, kind, and well disposed to everyone he met. People knew they could count on him, and regarded him as a great friend.

在一个小村庄，有一个人总是快乐而热情，和每个人和谐相处。人们知道他可以信任，把他当成好朋友。

One of the villagers was curious to know what his secret was, how could he be always so kind and helpful? How is it that he held no grudge¹ towards anyone and was always happy?

一个村民对他充满好奇，想知道他的秘密所在。他怎么会一直如此热情、助人为乐？为什么他和每个人都毫无怨尤，始终快乐？

Once, upon meeting him in the street he asked him: "Most people are selfish and unsatisfied. They do not smile as often as you do; neither are they as helpful or kind as you are. How do you explain it?"一天，那个村民在街上遇到了那个人，他问道：“大多数人自私自利，贪得无厌。他们不像你一样经常面带微笑，也不像你一样乐于助人。这该如何解释呢？”

"When you make peace with yourself, then you can be in peace with the rest of the world. If you can recognize the spirit in yourself, you can recognize the spirit in everyone, and then you find it natural to be kind and well disposed to all. If your thoughts are under your control you become strong and firm."“当你和自己和平相处时，你就能和世界和平相处。如果你认可了自己的心境，你就能认可别人的心境。然后你就会顺其自然，热情而且和谐与人相处。当你的思想被你控制时，你就会变得强大而且坚定。”

"But a lot of work is necessary. The work is difficult and endless. There are many walls that need to be climbed. It is not an easy task." Lamented² the villager.

“可是很多事儿必须得做。工作很难而且做也做不完。很多困难需要克服，这可不是件容易事儿。”村民哀叹道。

"Do not think about the difficulties, otherwise that's what you will see and experience. Just quieten your feelings and thoughts and try to stay in this peace. All the abilities and powers awaken³ spontaneously."“不要考虑那些困难，否则你要看到和即将经历的都会是困难。使自己的情感和想法冷静下来，并尽量保持这种状态，自然会唤起所有的能力和力量。”

"Is that all?" Asked the villager.

“就这些吗？”村民问道。

"Try to watch your thoughts and see how they come and go. Stay in the quietness that arises. The moments of peace will be brief at first, but in time they will get longer. This peace is also strength, power, kindness, and love."“努力关注你的想法，看它们是如何变来变去的。当你的想法趋于平静时，保持这种状态。一开始，也许只是片刻的平静，随着时间的推移，平静的时间会越来越长。这种平静也是力量、动力、热情和爱。”

"I will try to remember your words," said the villager and continued, "There is another thing that I am curious about. You do not seem to be influenced by the environment. You have a kind word to everyone and are helpful. Yet people do not exploit your goodness, and they treat you well."“我会尽力记住你的话，"村民说道，他接着问："还有一件我感到好奇的事儿。你好象并不受环境影响。你对每个人都热情，乐于助人。但是人们并不利用你的善良，他们对你也很好。”

"Goodness and being kind do not necessarily point to weakness. When you are good you can also be strong. People sense your strength and do not impose on you. You then act from strength and not from weakness. Goodness can also go with power and strength, it is not a sign of weakness as some people erroneously think."“善良和热情并非必然与软弱相关。当你仁慈时，你也很坚强。人们感觉到你的力量，不会欺骗你。这样你的行为源自坚定，而不是软弱。善良也和动力与力量相伴，而不像有些人误认为的那样是软弱的标志。”

"Thank you very much for your advice", said the villager and went away happy and satisfied.

“谢谢你的建议，”村民说道，心满意足地走了。