非宁静无以致远:The Science of Happiness 快乐的科学

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The Science of Happiness 快乐的科学

What is happiness? The "Merriam-Webster" dictionary defines it as "a state of well-being1 and contentment2." If you ask someone what brings them happiness, they might say money, family, friends, or having fun. There are many things that equal happiness. However, studies show that money is actually not one of them. Richer countries do not have happier people. Nigeria and Bangladesh are two of the happiest countries in the world. However, they have some of the poorest people. This has caused scientists to take an ever closer look at the world and the happiness in it.
According to research, people's overall happiness is influenced by their genes3, health, and environment, to name a few. More importantly, scientists believe that happiness is heavily connected to the choices that people make in their everyday lives. They have found that people are paying less attention to their relationships with others in the community4. Instead, they are focusing on their jobs. Scientists believe this is one big reason why people are not as happy as they could be. We need close relationships because they give us feelings of security, love, and comfort. Now, politicians5, economists6, and academics7 are looking at how they can increase happiness in their countries. Figuring out the science of happiness and how to create it may give a country an advantage in today's global society.

何谓『快乐』呢？韦式字典将它定义成『处於幸福及满足的状态中』。若您询问某人他们的快乐从何而来，他们或许会说从金钱、家人、朋友或是享乐中而得。世上有许多事物等同於快乐。不过研究却显示出其实金钱并非其中之一。富裕的国家并没有比较快乐的国民。奈及利亚和孟加拉是全世界最快乐的两个国家。不过它们却拥有一些最贫穷的人民。这样的情形导致科学家更仔细地审视这个世界以及内含其中的『快乐』。
研究指出，人们整体的快乐状态是受到他们的基因、健康及周遭环境等等所影响。更重要的是，科学家相信快乐与人们在日常生活中所做的各项决定有密切关连。他们发现人们越来越不注重他们在群体中的人际关系。他们反而是将所有注意力都放在工作上。科学家认为这是人们无法尽情开心的一大原因。我们需要各种紧密的人际关系，因为它们能为我们带来安全、恋爱及慰藉感。时至今日，许多政治人物、经济学家和学者都纷纷探索他们要如何才能增进该国人民的快乐。弄清楚快乐背後的科学和制造快乐之道，或许能使他们国家在这个全球化的社会中占有优势。

overalla. 全部的，总共的，整体的
The player with the best overall score after eight rounds will become the champion.
在经过八个回合之後，总分数最高的选手将会成为冠军。
influencevt. & n. 影响
The hot summer weather can influence people's moods greatly.
酷热的夏季气候会大大影响人们的情绪。
securityn. 保障；安全
All children need the security of a stable family life.
所有小孩都需要一个稳定的家庭生活所带来的保障。
comfortn. 安慰，慰藉
Mandy often turns to her sister for comfort when she is stressed out or depressed.
当压力太大或心情沮丧时，曼蒂常会向她姊姊寻求慰藉。
globala. 全球的，世界的
The eruption of the volcano affected air travel on a global level.
那座火山的喷发影响了全球的航空运输。

define A as B将 A 定义　解释为 B
Jack's careless behavior is defined as rudeness by some of his co-workers.
有些杰克的同事将他粗心的举动解读为鲁莽无礼。
pay attention to...注意　留心……
If you don't pay more attention to your girlfriend, she may break up with you.
如果你不多加关心你的女朋友，她有可能会跟你分手。
focus on...集中焦点　注意力於……
I can't focus on my studies with all of you playing cards in my room.
你们一群人在我房间里打牌，我根本就没办法专心念书。

1. well-beingn. 幸福；健康；舒适
2. contentmentn. 满足，满意
3. genen. 基因
4. communityn. 群体；社区
5. politiciann. 政治人物
6. economistn. 经济学家
7. academicn. 学者，学究

...the choices that people make in their everyday lives.
（……人们在日常生活中所做的各项决定……）
以下比较 everyday 与 every day 的差别，两者不能误用，请各位读者注意。
everyday 为形容词，仅用於名词前，表『日常的，每天的』。
It's going to be a casual gathering, so you can just wear your everyday clothes.
（这是个轻松的聚会，因此你穿日常衣服出席就好了。）
. every day 则为时间副词，表『每天』。
Nick makes it a habit to mop his kitchen floor every day.
（尼克习惯每天都要拖他厨房的地板。）