On Seizing Opportunity

　　History has taught us that opportunity is essential to success. Napoleon Bonaparte said “ability is of little account without opportunity.” Many people believe that all men are equal before opportunity, in other words, “every dog has his day”. But reality once and again tells us that chance favors the prepared mind.

　　It is true that the prepared mind is more likely to seize an opportunity, which perhaps only knocks once. First, he/she is “mentally” prepared like a watchful leopard waiting for its prey. Once the opportunity shows up, he/she can swiftly grasp it. Otherwise, he/she who hesitates is lost. Second, he/she is “physically” prepared like a veteran athlete who trains hard. Once the chance presents itself, he/she is able to seize it.

　　Since chance is rare and fleeting, anyone who desires success should always be ready to seize the opportunity when it appears. For one thing, he/she should constantly sharpen his/her skills to be “physically” prepared; for another, he/she should have his/her eyes open for opportunity to stay “mentally” prepared.

(译文) 论抓住机遇

　　历史教育我们，机遇对于成功至关重要。拿破仑曾说过：“没有机遇，再有能力也没用。”许多人认为机遇面前人人平等，换句话说，即“凡人皆有得意日。”但是，现实一次又一次地告诉我们，机遇青睐有准备的人。

　　确实，有准备的人更有可能抓住机遇，有些机遇也许人生就一次。首先，他/她做好了“心理准备”，就像一只警惕的猎豹在等待它的猎物。一旦机遇出现，他/她就能迅速抓住它。否则， 犹豫不决，只能落得两手空空。其次，他/她做好了“身体准备”，就像一位经验丰富、训练有素的运动员。一旦机遇降临，他/她有能力抓住。

　　既然机遇难得、骤然飞逝，任何渴望成功的人都应该时刻准备着，当机遇一旦出现，就能迅速抓住它。一方面，他/她需要不断提升自身技能，以做好“身体准备”;另一方面，他/她需要关注机遇，以做好“心理准备”。