Joshua Loth Liebman "On my head pour only the sweet waters of serenity¹（平静）. Give me the gift of the Untroubled Mind."

 

Once, as a young man full of exuberant²（繁茂的） fancy, I undertollk to draw up a catalogue of the acknowledged "goods" of life. As other men sometimes tabulate³（平板状的） lists of properties they own or would like to own, I set down my inventory⁴ of earthly desirables: health, love, beauty, talent, power,riches,and fame.

 

When my inventory was completed I proudly showed it to a wise elder who had been the mentor⁵ and spiritual model of my youth. Perhaps I was trying to impress him with my precocious⁶ wisdom. Anywany, I handed him the list. "This", I told him confidently, "is the sum of mortal goods. Could a man possess them all, he would be as a god."

 

At the corners of my friend's old eyes, I saw wrinkles of amusement gathering⁷ in a patient net. "An excellent list," he said, pondering it thoughtfully, "well digested in contented⁸ and set down in not-unresonable order. But it appears, my young friend, that you have omitted the most important element of all. You have forgotten the one ingredient, lacking with each possession becomes a hideous⁹ torment¹⁰."

 

"And what." I asked, peppering my voice with truculence¹¹, "is that missing ingredient?"

 

"What a pencil stub（存根，烟蒂） he crossed out my entire schedule. Then, haveing demolished¹² my adolscent dream structure at a single stroke, he wrote down three syllables¹³: peace of mind. "This is the gift that God reserves for His special Proteges." he said.

 

"Talent and beauty He gives to many. Wealth is commonplace, fame not rare. But peace of mind - that is His final guerdon of approval, the fondest insignia of His love, He bestows¹⁴ it charily¹⁵. Most men are never blessed with it; others wait all their lives- yes, far into advanced age - for this gift to descend¹⁶ upon them."

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