大佛與石階

今天下午在商業週刊看到一則寓言:

有一天，石階上大理石哀怨的問被鑿成佛像的大理石：「兄弟，咱們倆出身都是大理石，為何現在你被千人求萬人拜，我卻被千人踩萬人踏？」

大佛說：「當然如此!過程不同，結果當然不同。我是被千刀磨萬刀鑿，才能成一尊佛像。你卻只被兩刀砍，就哀哀叫，現在當然只能被萬人踩。」石階默然。
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我也默然....

INVICTUS

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After watched movie "INVICTUS" last night, then found this poem and video. Sharing it with you all here.

Enjoy!

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The Poem

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of Circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of Chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
夜幕低垂將我籠罩
宛若陷入漆黑地窖
我感謝萬能的眾神
賜與我不敗的心靈
即使環境險惡危急
我未曾退縮或哭嚎
處於機運的脅迫下
血流滿面仍未屈服
超越這般悲憤交集
恐怖陰霾逐步逼近
常年威脅揮之不去
我終究是 無所畏懼
縱然通道無比險挾
盡管嚴懲綿延不盡
我是我命運的主人
我是我心靈的統帥
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Invictus is a short poem by the British poet William Ernest Henley. The title is Latin for "Unconquered". It was first published in 1875.

Background

At the age of 12 Henley became a victim of tuberculosis of the bone. In spite of this, in 1867 he successfully passed the Oxford local examination as a senior student. His diseased foot had to be amputated directly below the knee; physicians announced the only way to save his life was to amputate the other. Henley persevered and survived with one foot intact. He was discharged in 1875, and was able to lead an active life for nearly 30 years despite his disability. With an artificial foot, he lived until the age of 54. "Invictus" was written from a hospital bed.

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