So Much To Learn
學無止境
It was the last day of final examinations in a large Eastern university. On the steps of one building, a group of engineering seniors huddled, discussing the exam due to begin in a few minutes. On their faces was confidence. This was their last exam—then on to commencement and jobs.
那是在一所東部大學期末考試的最後一天。一座教學樓的階梯上，有一群工程系大四學生擠在一起討論幾分鐘後將要開始的考試。他們臉上充滿自信。這是他們最後一次考試了，接著就等畢業典禮，然後參加工作。
Some talked of jobs they already had; others of jobs they would get. With all this assurance of four years of college, they felt ready and able to conquer the world.
這些學生中有的正在談論剛剛找到的工作，也有的談論將來會找什麼樣的工作。他們對四年的所學信心十足，感覺自己已經可以去一闖天下了。
The approaching exam, they knew, would be a snap. The professor had said they could bring any books or notes they wanted. Requesting only that they did not talk to each other during the test.
他們知道即將開始的考試將會是小菜一碟，因為此前這門課的教授說本次考試為開卷考試，只要願意，什麼書本筆記都可以帶進考場。要求只有一點：考試期間不許交頭接耳。
Jubilantly they filed into the classroom. The professor passed out the papers. And smiles broadened as the students noted there were only five essaytype questions.
學生們興高采烈，陸續進入教室，教授把試卷發給他們。他們發現試卷上只有五道問答題，於是笑容更加燦爛了。
Three hours passed. Then the professor began to collect the papers. The students no longer looked confident. On their faces was a frightened expression. No one spoke as, papers in hand, the professor faced the class.
三個小時過去了，教授開始收卷子。學生們先前的自信早已蕩然無存。他們流露出擔心的表情。教授拿著試卷看著學生們，沒人說話。
He surveyed the worried faces before him, then asked: “how many completed all five questions?”
他掃視了一下大家苦惱的表情，然後問道：“有多少人答完了五道題?”
Not a hand was raised.
沒有一個人舉手。
“How many answered four?”
“有多少人答完了四道題?”
Still no hands.
還是沒有人舉手。
“Three? Two?”
“三道題?兩道題?”
The students shifted restlessly in their seats.
這時學生們在自己的座位上坐立不安了。
“One, then? Certainly somebody finished one.”
“那麼，有誰答上來一道題?一定有人做完了一道題。”
But the class remained silent. The professor put down the papers. “That is exactly what I expected,” he said.
但是學生們依然沉默。教授放下手中的卷子，說道：“這正是我所預計的。”
“I just want to impress upon you that, even though you have completed four years of engineering, there are still many things about the subject you don't know. These questions you could not answer are relatively common in everyday practice.” Then, smiling, he added: “You will all pass this course, but remember—even though you are now college graduates, your education has just begun.”
“我只是想讓你們銘記於心，即使你們已經完成了四年工程學的學習，這個學科仍然有很多你們不知道的東西。這些你們回答不出的問題在日常實踐中卻是司空見慣的。”接著他笑了笑，補充道：“你們都能通過這門課，但是要記住：即便你們現在已經是大學畢業生了，你們在這一行的學習才剛剛開始。”
The years have obscured the name of this professor, but not the lesson he taught.
歲月的流逝已使我已記不清這位教授的名字，但是他所教授的這一課卻依然歷歷在目。