What books should I read?

我應該讀什么書?

What’s the purpose of reading books?

讀書的目的又是什么?

That’s two questions I’ve been asking myself my whole life.

這是兩個我一輩子都在問自己的問題。

For the second question, I guess I’ve already got the answer.

對于第二個問題，我覺得我已經有了答案。

I read as much as I can so that I can be a man with vision .

我盡我所能讀書，是為了成為一個有境界的人。

I think that’s the ultimate goal of reading. And I think that’s the best gift reading can bring you.

我認為這就是讀書的終極目的。我還覺得這是讀書能帶給你的最好禮物。

And for the first question, I can’t say I have the best answer. But I do have some experience to share.

而至于第一個問題，雖然我不能說我的答案是最好的，但我的確有些經驗可以分享。

First, you should read books which teach you things about culture.

首先，你應該讀那些關于文化的書。

Only by knowing a culture well can you deepen your thoughts. Only by knowing several cultures can you broaden your horizon.

只有深入了解一個文化，你的思想才能深邃。只有了解很多文化，你的視野才能寬廣。

Second, you should read books which teach you how to appreciate things.

第二，你應該讀那些教你欣賞的書。

The longing for beauty is what has been keeping human cultures developing. You need to know how to identify beauty and how to appreciate them.

對美的追求，是人類文化發展的動力。你需要學習怎樣識別美，以及怎樣欣賞它們。

Third, you should read books which teach you things from disciplines that you don’t know yet.

第三，你應該讀那些關于你不了解的學科的書。

There are too many still left to know. We can’t assume that we’ve already known enough.

未知的東西還有太多，我們不能自以為是。

Fourth, you should read books which teach you about all the new things happening now.

第四，你應該讀那些關于正在發生的新事物的書。

The world is constantly changing. You need to keep pace with it.

世界在不斷地變化，你得跟上它的腳步。

Finally, you should read books which entertain you.

最后，你還應該讀一些消遣的書。

You are not a learning machine. You need to enjoy the physical and mental pleasure that every human enjoys. This recovers you and gives you energy to learn better.

你不是一臺學習機器。你需要享受那些人類應該享受的身體快感和精神快感。這能幫你恢復，并讓你有精力去更好地學習。

These are the 5 kinds of books that I make myself read. And I think everybody should read them.

這就是我讓自己讀的5種書。而我覺得所有人都該讀它們。

Don’t you agree with me?

你們同意嗎?