Cheap thrills cannot take the place of deep, abiding purpose. Discrete transactions are a poor substitute for enduring relationships. 廉价的刺激不能取代深刻而持久的目标。离散的交易是持久关系的糟糕替代品。

The opportunities that matter come with a demand and an ability for you to invest something of yourself. When you leave behind your own blood, sweat, time and toil, it cannot help but be an enriching experience. 重要的机会伴随着你的需求和能力来投资你自己的东西。当你把自己的血汗、时间和辛劳抛在身后时，它只能是一种丰富的经历。

To be truly fulfilled is to participate intensely in the fulfillment. People can provide their sincere help in many ways, but no on can simply will a rich and meaningful life upon anyone else. 真正的成就感是强烈地参与成就感。人们可以用很多方式提供真诚的帮助，但没有人可以简单地将一个丰富而有意义的生活强加给别人。

All too often, well-intentioned attempts to make things easier, for oneself or for others, end up causing needless misery and difficulty. Rather than seeking, offering, or promoting ease, look for ways to encourage and build strength. 很多时候，出于善意的尝试让事情变得更容易，为自己或为他人，最终导致不必要的痛苦和困难。与其寻求、提供或促进安逸，不如寻找鼓励和建立力量的方法。

For while ease is fragile and conditional, strength is enduring, independent, and self-perpetuating. Ease, comfort, and convenience can quickly crumble when conditions inevitably change, yet strength rises up. 因为安逸是脆弱的，有条件的，而力量是持久的，独立的，自我延续的。当条件不可避免地发生变化时，安逸、舒适和便利可能很快就会崩溃，但力量却会上升。

Does it come free and quick and easy, or does it push you toward strength? Choose strength, for that’s what endures. 它是免费的，快速的，容易的，还是它把你推向力量？选择力量，因为那是持久的。

— Ralph Marston - 拉尔夫·马斯顿