英语演讲稿：Wealth.doc

英语演讲稿：WealthThe word wealth always reminds people of money and the sayings or concepts related to money. For example, “money talks”; “money makes the ghosts turn the mill”; “as birds die for food, so men die for wealth”; “the poor have no friends even though they live in the noisy downtown, while the rich have remote kinsfolk even if they live in the deep mountains”; “poverty chills ambition” “one cent short may put a hero in an awkward situation” etc, etc.In the 1980 s, all shops were state-owned with marked prices. You couldnt buy what you wanted with even one cent short, so one cent could indeed embarrass a hero. A popular song at that time started “I picked up one cent at the roadside, and I handed it over to the policeman” But now no one cares to pick it up even if it were ten cents.Peoples reverence for money is expressed in varied ways. The names of panies or stores are often “Beer of Wealth and Honor”, “Restaurant of Wealth and Rank” “Store of the Aristocrats” “Hotel of Fame and Prestige” etc. (even some peoples names have the meanings of “full of gold” or “great fortune”). At New Years time, the god of wealth is worshiped and the picture of the god is covered with signs of money. When a millionaire is walking in the street, people will show their profound respect even though they know very well that they can not get a cent from him. The English film “the Million-Pound Note” makes a most vivid revelation of this situation. With the million pound note in hand, the hero has the priviilege to buy on credit, or on loan and is even presented money from others. Its an idealized end of the story that the hero is still loved by his girl friend even after he lost his million-pound note. However, without the million-pound note, they couldnt have known each other. Its very difficult for people to make friends directly with beggars.The song of “All Good Things Must End” in A Dream of the Red Mansions attacks the money worshipers by saying:“All men long to be immortalsyet silver and gold they prizeAnd grub for money all their livesTill death seals up their eyes”But when Chen Shih-yin tries to expound this song by analyzing the inconstancy of human relationships and the inprehensible human heart, he has to say:“While men with gold and silver by the chestTurn beggars, scorned by all and dispossessed”The conclusion is that it doesnt work without money.In spite of the human civilizations over thousands of years, people can not deny the function of money. This shows how important money is. Money plays a decisive role to individuals, to families and even to countries or nationalities. Otherwise, why is everyone, from doorkeepers to presidents, trying to earn as much as possible? Why does every country need Chancellors of the Exchequer, who keep formulating and revising financial laws and regulations? How different it is to be a creditor nation and a debtor nation! The United States is playing the tyrant just because it is wealthy enough. A poor man may cherish lofty aspirations,