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慎終如始 Be as Discreet at the End as at the Beginning; Remain Discreet Throughout the Whole Process
結(jié)束時要像開始時一樣謹慎。意思是，做事情自始至終都應(yīng)小心謹慎，始終如一。決定事情成敗的因素很多，單從主觀方面說，成功多取決于人的謹慎與堅持，失敗則往往由于人的懈怠和放棄。當事情即將完成，尤其是向好的方向發(fā)展的時候，人的心理最易松弛，因而出現(xiàn)疏漏，使事情功敗垂成，故須強調(diào)“慎”字。“慎”源于誠，“誠”就是認真謹慎地對待自己所擔(dān)負的事情。
One should be discreet at the beginning and all the way through to finish. Many factors determine success or failure. Generally speaking, discreetness and perseverance are the sure way to success, while negligence and laxity invariably lead to failure. When approaching a successful conclusion in an undertaking, people tend to lose drive and things may fall apart at the last minute. Therefore, we must act with discreetness, a concept that has its root in earnestness. Earnestness means handling things with great care.
引例 Citation：
◎民之從事，常于幾成而敗之。慎終如始，則無敗事。（《老子·六十四章》）
人們做事情，常在快要成功時遭到失敗。結(jié)束時也像開始時一樣謹慎，事情就不會失敗。
Some people fail when they are close to success. So, as we come to the end, we must be as discreet as at the beginning, and this will ensure success. (Laozi)
推薦：教育部 國家語委
供稿：北京外國語大學(xué) 外語教學(xué)與研究出版社
責(zé)任編輯：錢耐安
