【推荐1】The word tolerance is widely used in liberal democracies （自由民主）． It indicates a positive meaning． Politicians urge us to be tolerant towards minorities． Educators teach us to be tolerant towards the other． The press is full of references to the need to display tolerance when faced with individuals or groups espousing a different view or holding a different religious belief． A tolerant society is an objective sought after by anyone who believes in the values of democracy． A tolerant individual is connected with virtuous qualities．

The question we must ask is whether we have been using the word tolerance fully aware of its meaning and whether we have applied it correctly to reflect what we really wish to convey．

The word tolerance means to bear， or to bear with． If I tolerate something or someone， I basically say that I am ready to bear it or him． I can tolerate a bad smell or a noisy neighbour． The act of toleration forces me to desist from conveying my objection to the existence of a phenomenon， which I find difficult to bear． A bad smell or a noisy neighbour is considered by me to be an objectionable phenomenon． By tolerating either of them， I am not transforming the bad smell or the noisy neighbour into positive phenomena． Let's be honest： I don't have a different taste when it comes to bad smells． I simply dislike it and hope that it disappears． I don't respect the noisy neighbour． I would rather have him stop at once the noise he is making so I can live in peace．

The subject tolerating is by nature not equal to the object being tolerated． If I tolerate you， I essentially say that I am above you and am prepared， although unwillingly， to bear with your presence or with your practices or opinions． That may be true in the case of an individual who is ready to tolerate the other． However， this attitude by such an individual， though empirically true， is hardly a virtue． Certainly， the fact that an individual， in reality， may merely tolerate the other or his opinion does not justify a government or any official authority promoting tolerance as a virtue． One cannot tolerate an equal being． True equality involves respect， not toleration． To respect the other as a distinctive person is hardly to tolerate him． This is the true meaning of equality： diversity existing in a mutually-respectful socio-legal setting．

A tolerant attitude involves the grant of a favour， not a right． The question we should ask ourselves is whether we would ever wish a parliament to make laws considering us， as individuals and as part of a collective entity or a permission to pursue certain actions interpreted as a favour rather than a right？ Indeed， would we ever wish anyone to listen to our views and accept us the way we are simply because he is kind enough to tolerate us？

【推荐2】First Days

First days are milestones in our lives. They mark the beginning of a new experience or journey, They are also filled with mixed emotions. They can be a little frightening as we step into the unknown, but they can also inspire us as they give us fresh hope for the future. First days are powerful as we can leave our mistakes and failures in the past and make a new start.

I want to share a story that perfectly illustrates this point. It is a story about a little girl named Trisha. Trisha was born in a family of teachers who had taught her that reading was the key to knowledge. She watched her older brother as he read his schoolbooks and could hardly wait for the day when she would learn to read.

But when Trisha finally started school, she found that she was not able to understand the words like the other boys and girls. No matter how hard she tried the letters mixed up together, and she saw only confusion, Trisha fell further behind, the other children laughed and made fun of her, and she began to believe that she was not smart. By the time Trisha entered fifth grade, she had lost all confidence in herself. That was the year she met Mr. Falker. He was different. He praised Trisha’s talents, and he wouldn’t tolerate the other children teasing her. Mr. Falker realized that Trisha didn’t know how to read, but he knew she could with some help.

He recruited(招聘）a reading specialist, and together they worked with Trisha after school. They helped her to write letters and hear the sounds until one day Mr. Falker handed her a book and she read it all by herself. She didn’t even notice the tear, in his eyes.

This is a true story. The little girl is Patricia Polacco, the famous children’s author, and Thank you Mr. Falker is the twenty-sixth book that she has written.

We can all make a difference in the world—one student at a time by using first days” with wisdom and grace，and giving each individual the chance to start over and become the best that they can be.

【推荐3】When I was about 12, I had an enemy, a girl who liked to point out my shortcomings(缺点). Week by week her list grew: I was very thin, I wasn’t a good student, I talked too much, I was too proud, and so on. I tried to bear all this as long as I could. At last, I became very angry. I ran to my father with tears in my eyes.

He listened to me quietly, then he asked. “Are the things she says true or not? Janet, didn’t you ever wonder what you’re really like ? Well, you now have that girl’s opinion. Go and make a list of everything she said and mark the points that are true. Pay no attention to the other things she said.”

I did as he told me. To my great surprise, I discovered that about half the things were true. Some of them I couldn’t change (like being very thin), but a good number I could—and suddenly I wanted to change. For the first time I go to fairly clear picture of myself.

I brought the list back to Daddy. He refused to take it.“That’s just for you,” he said.“You know better than anyone else the truth about yourself. But you have to learn to listen, not just close your ears in anger and feeling hurt. When something said about you is true, you’ll find it will be of help to you. Our world is full of people who think they know your duty. Don’t shut your ears. Listen to them all, but hear the truth and do what you know is the right thing to do.”

Daddy’s advice has returned to me at many important moments. In my life, I’ve never had a better piece of advice.