There will never be anyone else like you in the future of the universe. That’s why being yourself is more important than anything else.

宇宙中再不會有一個人和你一樣。這就是為什么做自己比什么都重要。

That’s how life works: two steps forward, followed by one-and-a-half back as those who lost their power try to reverse the process.

生活就是這樣：向前邁兩步，接著后退一步半，而失去權勢的人努力想要逆轉這個順序。

Those who benefit most from the status quo are naturally the least interested in change, and they find allies in the fearful and the authoritarian. Conformity always includes a threat of punishment if you fail to fit in, whether it comes from ridicule, being shunned by others, or direct attack.

從現狀得益最多的人自然是最不希望改變的，他們與畏首畏尾者還有權威主義者結成聯盟。如果你不能適應隨大流，遵從一致往往有遭懲罰的風險，或是受人奚落，或是別人避之不及，甚至是受到直接攻擊。

There’s a more fundamental power behind the urgency with which authoritarian conservatives seek to suppress individuality. That power is lack of trust. Wise leaders and outstanding thinkers are alike in two things: they’re usually non-conformists —and they display a deep trust in the basic goodness, intelligence, and capacity for development of their fellow human beings.

權威主義派的保守者急不可耐要壓抑個性有其更為根本的原因，那就是缺乏信任。明智的領導和杰出的思想家有兩點是相似的：他們不隨大流，他們對他人的本善、才智和能力發展表現出高度信任。

In stark contrast, the most determined proponents of conformity have always been dictatorships. Under a dictatorship, any kind of variation from prescribed ways of thinking or acting is punished. Conservative thinkers often suggest too much freedom will lead to anarchy and the collapse of all standards.

與之對照鮮明的是，順從最為頑固的要素在于獨裁專制。在獨裁控制下，凡有悖既定思維和有違既定行為者都會受到懲處。保守派思想常告誡，過度自由會引發混沌無序、會破壞標準。

Being who and what you are is the most natural thing there is. There may be a cost. Some people, even some friends, will disapprove of you as you truly are and will let you know it. There will be setbacks along the way. Yet the price for being yourself can never be as great as the price you will pay for stepping aside from your basic nature: a price paid in frustration, dissatisfaction, and the hopeless realization of all that you might have been, but now can never attain.

做自己是最自然的事情。也許會有代價，一些人，有些甚至是朋友，會不認可真實的你，并且告訴你，一路都會有挫折。但做自己的代價永遠不會像違背你的本心代價那么大，背離自我的代價是挫敗感、不滿不悅、曾經可以企及的目標和愿望，如今卻無望實現。

Take up the challenge. Conformity has very little to recommend it. Trust yourself and trust others. Mediocrity and inner frustration are the true price of conforming. Only those with the courage openly to live their dreams can ever hope to find lasting satisfaction with their lives.

接受挑戰吧。循規蹈矩沒什么可以褒獎的。相信自己，相信他人。平庸無才和內心挫折才是默守陳規真正的代價。只有敢于實現夢想、心懷勇氣的人才能在生命中獲得源源不斷的滿足感。