CAN YOU HOLD ON?

　　你能坚持多久？

　　On the first day of school, Socrates told his students, “Today, we'll only learn one thing, thatis to stretch forward your arms, then try swing them backward.” He showed them and as a resultall the students laughed.

　　“Sir, is it also learned?” one of the students teased.

　　“Of course,” Socrates replied gravely , “you think this is a simple thing, but it s verydifficult.” Hearing this, the students laughed even harder.

　　Without a bit of anger, Socrates announced, “In this class I'll teach you how to learn thisaction well. After that, starting today, you will do it 100 times a day.”

　　10 days later, Socrates asked, “Who still insists on swinging his arms?” about 80% of thestudents raised their hands.

　　20 days later, Socrates asked again, “Who still insists on swinging his arms?” About 50% ofthem raised their hands.

　　3 months later, Socrates asked again, “Who still insists on that most simple action of swing?”

　　This time, only one student raised his hand. He was Plato.

　　开学第一天，苏格拉底告诉学生：“今天，我们只学一件事：把双臂伸向前方，然后向后甩动。”他示范了一下，结果学生哄堂大笑。

　　“老师，这还用教？”一个学生起哄道。

　　“那当然，”苏格拉底严肃地说，“你觉得这事儿太简单，但其实并不容易。”听到这儿，学生们笑得更厉害了。

　　苏格拉底一点儿也没生气，他宣布：“这节课的内容就是学好这个动作。从今天开始，你们每天要做满100次。”

　　十天以后，苏格拉底问：“有谁还在坚持甩臂啊？”大约80%的学生举了手。

　　二十天以后，苏格拉底又问：“你们有谁还在坚持甩臂啊？”大约50%的人举手示意。

　　三个月以后，苏格拉底再次发问：“谁还在坚持做那个最简单的甩臂动作啊？”这次，只有一个学生举起了手。此人就是柏拉图。