Bertrand Russell is a great person and he wrote a lot of great books. After I read these two passages, I think my idea is right and become more determined on it.
First, let’s talk about the language of these two passages.
The first idea turned out of my mind when reading is that the passage is very to understand. Unlike some writers, though the topic he focuses on is very enigmatic, he uses as simple language as he can. His passage is just like a cup of water, pure and clear, without any unwanted rubbish. What’s more, he uses a lot of short sentences and the style is colorful.
For the logic, the passage’s structure is very clear. The passages are divided into three parts: first part is about the main idea, second part is of the detail and the third part is the conclusion. As the logic is very simple, we will not get confused but can easily understand the writer’s idea.
Now, it is time to see what the writer wants to convey to us. Though the language is simple, yet the meaning is profound.
In the passage ‘What I Have Lived For’, Russell discussed the meaning of his life. He said that the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind have governed his life. These three passions are the source of energy and power that support him live through the hard time. As we all know, everyone has his own life ambition, but few would like to devote their life
to the benefit of the whole human beings. However, Bertrand Russell is such kind of person, not caring too much of his own business, but has an unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. He is a man with a noble soul, able to see through the secret of life and get rid of bad habits. With the echo of the inspiring words, let us get out of our narrow self-centered world and try to think what we really want to do.
As a college student, I have ever thought this question. You see, life is short. But we can make it longer even forever. Though I am now only a student, I try to do something for our society, like being a volunteer or donating something to the poor. I know what I have done is really not enough, but it may be does some good. Just as Confucius said, ‘In obscurity, scholars would maintain their own integrity. In times of success, they would make perfect the whole empire.’ I will work hard to be more powerful in the future and do what can I do for the society.
Then, it’s about ‘the Losers in Life’. Russell used a lot of metaphors in this passage. He makes an analogy between the life and the hurdle race. It is really meaningful and philosophical. We can easily get the main idea that all people will be defeated once or more, but their attitude towards failure really makes a difference.
All of us want success, but how could we get it if we don’t make the preparation for the coming failure. Don’t fear of failure, either. It’s just a normal process on the way to success. Please put aside your timidity and fight for your own glory with your courage and efforts.
