My dreams are worthless，my plans are dust，and my goals are impossible．All are of no value unless they are followed by action．
Never has there been a map，however carefully executed to detail and scale，which carried its owner over even one inch of ground．Never has there been a parchment of law，however fair，which prevented one crime．Action alone，is the tinder which ignites the map，the parchment，my dreams，my plans，my goals，into a living force．Action is the food and drink which will nourish my success．
My procrastination which has held me back was born of fear and now I recognize this secret mined from the depths of all courageous hearts．Now I know that to conquer fear I must always act without hesitation and the flutters in my heart will vanish．Now I know that action reduces the lion of terror to an ant of equanimity ．
Henceforth，I will remember the lesson of the firefly who gives off its light only when it is on the wing，only when it is in action．I will become a firefly and even in the day my glow will be seen in spite of the sun．Let others be as butterflies who preen their wings yet depend on the charity of a flower for life．I will be as the firefly and my light will brighten the world．
I will not avoid the tasks of today and charge them to tomorrow for I know that tomorrow never comes．Let me act now even though my actions may not bring happiness or success for it is better to act and fail than not act and flounder ．Happiness，in truth，may not be the fruit plucked by my action yet without action all fruit will die on the vine．
I will act now．Henceforth，I will repeat these words again and again，each hour，each day，until the words become as much a habit as my breathing and the actions which follow become as instinctive as the blinking of my eyelids．With these words I can condition my mind to perform every act necessary for my success．With these words I can condition my mind to meet every challenge which the failure avoids．
I will repeat these words，again and again and again．When I awake I will say them and leap from my cot while the failure sleeps yet another hour，for now is all I have．Tomorrow is the day reserved for the labor of the lazy．I am not lazy．Tomorrow is the day when the evil become good．I am not evil．Tomorrow is the day when the weak become strong．I am not weak．Tomorrow is the day when the failure will succeed．I am not a failure．
When the lion is hungry，he eats．When the eagle has thirst，he drinks．Lest they act，both will perish ．I hunger for success．I thirst for happiness and peace of mind．Lest I act I will perish in a life of failure，misery，and sleepless nights．
Success will not wait．If I delay she will become betrothed to another and lost to me forever．This is the time．This is the place．I am the man．
I will act now．
Words and Expressions
- parchment n．羊皮纸
- tinder n．引火物
- ignite v．点燃
- procrastination n．拖延，延迟
- equanimity n．平和，镇静
- preen v．（鸟）用嘴整理羽毛
flounder vi． 挣扎，漫无目标
- pluck vt．采，摘；拔
- cot n．帆布床
- perish v．毁灭，灭亡，死去
become betrothed to和……订婚
Read the following sentences and make your own：
Never has there been a map ，however carefully executed to detail and scale，which carried its owner over even one inch of ground．
Never has there been a parchment of law，however fair，which prevented one crime．
Never has there been __________，which __________．
立即行动
我的梦想毫无价值，我的计划渺如尘土，我的目标无法达到。一切的一切都毫无意义——除非我们付诸行动。
一张地图，不论标注多么详尽，比例多么精确，它也决不能带着它的主人在地面上移动半步。一部法律，不论多么公正，也决不能制止哪怕一宗罪恶。唯有行动才能使地图、法律以及我的梦想、计划和目标具有现实意义。行动，就像食物和水一样，为我们的成功提供滋养。
拖延使我裹足不前，它生于恐惧，现在我从所有勇敢的心灵深处，挖掘出并领悟到这一秘密。我知道，想克服恐惧，必须毫不犹豫，雷厉风行，唯有如此，心中的慌乱方能得以平定。现在我知道，行动可将猛狮般的恐惧，减缓为蚂蚁般的平静。
从此我要记住萤火虫的启示：只有振翅而飞的时候，只有在行动中，才能发出光芒。我要成为一只萤火虫，即使艳阳高照，也无法掩盖我的光芒。让别人像蝴蝶一样吧，精心装扮双翅，却靠花朵的施舍生活；我要做萤火虫，我的光芒照亮整个世界。
我不会把今天的事情留给明天，因为我知道明天永远不会来。让我现在就行动吧！即便我的行动不会带来幸福或成功，但是行动而失败总比坐以待毙好。坦白讲，我的行动也许不会结出幸福的果实，但没有行动，所有的果实都无法收获。
立即行动，从今往后，我要一遍又一遍，每时每刻重复这句话，直到这几个字成为习惯，好比呼吸一般；直到随后的行动成为本能，好比眨眼一样。有了这句话，我就能调整心态，做出成功所需的每一分努力。有了这句话，我就能调整心态，迎接失败者避而远之的每一次挑战。
我将一遍一遍地重复这句话。清晨醒来时，失败者流连于床榻，我却要默诵这句话，一跃而起。现在是我的所有。明日是懒汉为自己留的工作日，而我并不懒惰；明日是弃恶从善的日子，而我并不邪恶；明日是弱者变强者的日子，我并不软弱；明日是失败者成功的日子，而我并非失败者。
狮饥而食，鹰渴即饮，除非行动，否则它们死路一条。我渴望成功，快乐，心灵的平静。除非行动，否则我将在失败、悲惨、夜不能寐的日子中了结此生。
成功不等人。如果我迟疑，她就会投入别人的怀抱，永远弃我而去。此时。此地。此人。我现在就付诸行动。