蘋果電腦公司執行長摯情演說
A speech by Steve Jobs,CEO of Apple
蘋果電腦公司執行長摯情演說
Truth be told,I never graduated from college,and this is the closest I’ve ever gotten to a college graduation.Today, I want to tell you three stories from my life.This’s it.No big deal.Just three stories.
The first story is about connecting dots.
I dropped out of Reed College after the first six months,but then stayed around as a drop-in for another 18 months or so before I really quit.So why’d I drop out?
I naively chose a college that was almost as expensive as Stanford and all of my working-class parents’ savings were being spent on my college tuition.After six months,I couldn’t see the value in it.I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life and no idea how college was going to help me figure it out.And here I was spending all of the money my parents had saved their entire life.
So I decided to drop out and trust that it would all work out OK.It was pretty scary at the time,but looking back it was one of the best decisions I ever made.The minute I dropped out I could stop taking the required classes that didn’t interest me,and begin dropping in on the ones that looked far more interesting.
None of this had even a hope of any practical application in my life.But ten years later,when we were designing the first Macintosh computer,it all came back to me.And we designed it all into the Mac.It was the first computer with beautiful typography.Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college.But it was very ,very clear looking backwards ten year later.
My second story is about love and loss.
I was lucky---I found what I loved to do early in life.Woz and I started Apple in my parents’ garage when I was 20.We worked hard,and in ten years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a two-billion-dollar company with over 4000 employees.
We’d just released our finest creation—the Macintosh---a year earlier,and I’d just turned 30.And then I got fired.How can you get fired from a company you started ?Well,as Apple grew,we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me,and for the first year or so things went well.But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out.When we did,our Board of Directors sided with him.And so at 30,I was out.And very publicly out.What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone,and it was devastating .But something slowly began to dawn on me:I still loved what I did.The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit.I’d been rejected,but I was still in love.And so decided to start over.
I’m pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn’t been fired from Apple.It was awful tasting medicine,but I guess the patient needed it.Sometimes life’s gonna hit you in the head with a brick.Don’t lose faith.I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did.
My third story is about death.
When I was 17,I read a quote that went something like:”If you live each day as if it was your last,someday you’ll most certainly be right.’It made an impression on me,and since then,for the past33 years,I’ve looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself:’If today were the last day of my life,would I wanna do what I am about to do today?”And whenever the answer has been “No”for too many days in a row,I know I need to change something.
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.Because almost everything—all external expectations,all pride,akk fear of embarrassment or failure ?these things just fall away in the face of death,leaving only what is truly important.Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose.You are already naked.There is no reason not to follow your heart.
Stay hungry.Stay foolish.And I’ve always wished that for myself.And now,as you graduate to begin anew,I wish that for you.Stay hungry.Stay foolish.
Thank you all very much.
Native speeches
The sentences below are commonly used by native speakers, so non-English speakers can make full use of their speeches in their daily English conversation. Highlighted words or phrases are what non-English speakers should learn.
... but it thrilled me all the way down to my toes.
I'd caught a glimpse of him in the halls, and all the girls in my third-period World Lit class had been drooling over him.
I'm glad that one of my best friends isn't totally brain-dead !
... but that's not all there is to her.
I haven't decided what I want to be yet.
I've managed to make some money at it, though.
Some people think that kind of music is old-fashioned but I am happy with it.
Listen, if you are not too buried in homework tomorrow, why don't we do some window-shopping at the mall.
I didn't hurt you or anything, did I ?
.... she lives only a few blocks from me.
I am old fashioned in everything.
.... and a little tingle of excitement ran down my spine.
... he didn't give me any details. You want to fill me in ?
The party's on Sunday. Are you available ?
I know it's pretty short notice.
Jill : Terrific! How much do you charge ?
Nik : Forty dollars for the afternoon.
Jill : That sounds pretty fair.
She had made other plans and said she'd try to hook up with us later.
She looks fantastic in bright, vibrant colors
They had a much bigger selection there.
We'll be using local talent.
You actually want me to perform in this benefit concert ?
If they agree to do it, we're all set.
There's still a lot of organizing to do.
I'll probably be calling next week to set a date.
Squaring my shoulders, I pressed the doorbell.
You were terrific with the kids.
Well, it's not exactly a sure thing.
I'm really looking forward to next Friday.
She will be calling you with the details.
I decided I'd better start singing before I said something even dumber.
You'll be a perfect opening act for Motion.
I'll call you to set things up.
I left them to make small talk while I dashed upstairs ....
I checked my appearance in the mirror.
I don't know how realistic it was, but I couldn't help identifying with ( [identify with someone] to feel able to share or understand the feelings of another person ) her.
Have you ever thought of going that route?
... there was no way I was going to keep on dressing that way.
I am not nearly ready for anything as heavy-duty as that.
the pace is a lot slower here, but that's a nice change.
The dance is less than a week away, and so far I'm clueless.
That was much too personal and private.
Well, I was right about his being a swimmer.
It's always a real blast.
... he had made an excellent impression on my parents Friday night.
Does this mean you'll go along with my idea for the costumes?
Angie didn't seem at all distressed.
Loosen up and have some fun.
It would cover the cost of my Halloween costume, I'd even have a little left over.
This concert could turn out to be a big break ( a sudden or unexpected chance to do something, especially be successful in your job ) for you.
When you put it that way, it makes sense ...........
I was kind of afraid you might tell me to get lost.
It'll be good to stretch yourself, try something different for a change.
He seemed to have a natural talent for it.
Don't you know I am a guy of many talents ?
They're nothing compared to yours.
The future seems a long way off.
I hoped my parents wouldn't have a fit when they saw how skimpy the outfit was.
I was almost deafened by rock music blaring at top volume from the speakers.
I asked as soon as Jill was out of earshot.
but I'd feel like a freak if I dressed this way all the time.
I didn't mean to get you all upset.
But seriously, Nik, a lot of guys go for that kind of look.
It's very special to me because you inspired it.
You're loaded with talent, Nikki, but you won't get anywhere until you bring your material up to date.
You want me to butt out and leave you alone, is that it ?
Cool, it's settled then.
It was obvious that I had been right about Scott's feelings for me.
Every night I cried myself to sleep.
What had he been about to say ?
... for the next hour I actually forgot my troubles.
Today's schedule was pretty light, ......
You should let him know you're willing to meet him halfway.
I am afraid I am fresh out of answers. You've to figure that one out all by yourself.
I felt the adrenaline surging through me ......
I hate to back out on you guys, but you'll have to give me a rain check.
I wanted so much to make up with him.
What good would that do ?
It's damaging to her ego.
It was impossible to shut him out of my mind completely.
I stood there in a daze.
All of a sudden I ran smack into someone.
She said I was a control freak who always had to have things my way.
I did a lot of thinking over this past weekend.
I promise I won't butt in.
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