If you cant be a pine on the top of the hill,
Be a scrub in the valley—but be
The best little scrub by the side of the rill;
Be a bush if you cant be a tree.
If you cant be a bush be a bit of grass,
And some highway happier make;
If you cant be a muskie then just be a bass—
But the liveliest bass in the lake!
We cant all be captains, weve got to be crew,
Theres something for all of us here.
Theres big work to do, and theres lesser to do,
And the task you must do is the near.
If you cant be a highway then just be a trail,
If you cant be the sun be a star;
It isnt by size that you win or you fail—
Be the best of whatever you are!
如果你当不了山巅的一棵劲松,
就做山谷里的灌木——
但一定要做溪边最棒的一棵;
做一棵灌木,如果你成不了树。
如果你当不了灌木,就做一株小草,
给路边带去更多欢笑;
如果你當不了大梭鱼,就做一尾小鲈鱼
——但要做湖里最活泼的那条!
我们不能全当船长,总得有人做船员,
但我们每个人都有事可做,
有大事去做,有小事去做,
我们必须着眼于眼前。
如果你当不了大道,就做一条小径,
如果你当不了太阳,就做一颗星星;
胜负不在于大小——
不论做什么,一定要做到最好!