Seven times I have despised my soul

——Gibran Kahlil Gibran

Seven times I have despised my soul:

我曾七次鄙夷我的灵魂：

The first time when I saw her being meek that she might attain height.

第一次，是当她为据高位，而故作谦卑。

The second time when I saw her limping before the crippled.

第二次，是当她见残者跛行，却扮作步履蹒跚。

The third time when she was given to choose between the hard and the easy, and she chose the easy.

第三次，是当她能在累难和安逸中抉择，她却奔向了安逸。

The fourth time when she committed a wrong, and comforted herself that others also commit wrong.

第四次，是当她犯下过错，却安慰自己，是人孰能无过。

The fifth time when she forbode for weakness, and attributed her patience to strength.

第五次，是当她因软弱而忍耐，却把它认作坚强。

The sixth time when she despised the ugliness of a face, and knew not that it was one of her own masks.

第六次，是当她厌恶他人丑陋的嘴脸，殊不知那也是她的一具假面。

And the seventh time when she sang a song of praise, and deemed it a virtue.

第七次，是当她颂起赞美之歌，作博人欢心为一种品格。