NO

 No is next to the shortest word in the English language.

 

It is the concentrated Declaration of Independence of the human soul.

 

It is the central citadel¹ of character, and can remain impregnable forever.

 

It is the only path to reformation.

 

It is the steam-gauge of strength, the barometer² of temperament³, the electric indicator⁴ of moral force.

 

It is an automatic safety-first device.

 

It has saved more women than all the knights⁵ of chivalry⁶.

 

It has kept millions or young men from going over the Niagara Falls of drunkenness, profligality, and passion.

 

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It is the updrawn portcullis and barred gate of the castle of self-respect.

 

It is the dragon that guards beauty’s tower.

 

It is the high fence that preserves the innocence⁷ of the innocent.

 

It is the thick wall of the home, keeping the father from folly⁸, the mother from indiscretion, the boys from ruin, and the girls from shame.

 

It is the one word you can always say when you can’t think of anything else.

 

It is the one answer that needs no explanation.

 

The mule⁹ is the surest footed and most dependable of all domestic animals. No is the mule-power of the soul.

 

Say it and mean it.

 

Say it and look your man in the eye.

 

Say it and don’t hesitate.

 

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A good round No is the most effective of known shells from the human howitzer.

 

In the great parliament of life the Noes have it.

 

The value of any Yes you utter is measured by the number of Noes banked behind it.

 

Live your own life. Make your own resolutions. Mark out your own program. Aim at your own work. Determine your own conduct. And plant all around those an impregnable hedge of Noes, with the jaggedest, sharpest thorns that grow.

 

The No-man progresses under his own steam. He is not led about and pushed around by officious tugboats.

 

The woman who can say No carries the very best insurance against the fires, tornadoes¹⁰, earthquakes, and accidents that threaten womankind.

 

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Be soft and gentle as you please outwardly, but let the centre of your soul be a No, as hard as steel.

1 citadel   

n.城堡；堡垒；避难所

参考例句：

• The citadel was solid.城堡是坚固的。
• This citadel is built on high ground for protecting the city.这座城堡建于高处是为保护城市。

2 barometer   

n.气压表，睛雨表，反应指标

参考例句：

• The barometer marked a continuing fall in atmospheric pressure.气压表表明气压在继续下降。
• The arrow on the barometer was pointing to"stormy".气压计上的箭头指向“有暴风雨”。

3 temperament   

n.气质，性格，性情

参考例句：

• The analysis of what kind of temperament you possess is vital.分析一下你有什么样的气质是十分重要的。
• Success often depends on temperament.成功常常取决于一个人的性格。

4 indicator   

n.指标；指示物，指示者；指示器

参考例句：

• Gold prices are often seen as an indicator of inflation.黃金价格常常被看作是通货膨胀的指标。
• His left-hand indicator is flashing.他左手边的转向灯正在闪亮。

5 knights   

骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马

参考例句：

• stories of knights and fair maidens 关于骑士和美女的故事
• He wove a fascinating tale of knights in shining armour. 他编了一个穿着明亮盔甲的骑士的迷人故事。

6 chivalry   

n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤

参考例句：

• The Middle Ages were also the great age of chivalry.中世纪也是骑士制度盛行的时代。
• He looked up at them with great chivalry.他非常有礼貌地抬头瞧她们。

7 innocence   

n.无罪；天真；无害

参考例句：

• There was a touching air of innocence about the boy.这个男孩有一种令人感动的天真神情。
• The accused man proved his innocence of the crime.被告人经证实无罪。

8 folly   

n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话

参考例句：

• Learn wisdom by the folly of others.从别人的愚蠢行动中学到智慧。
• Events proved the folly of such calculations.事情的进展证明了这种估计是愚蠢的。

9 mule   

n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人

参考例句：

• A mule is a cross between a mare and a donkey.骡子是母马和公驴的杂交后代。
• He is an old mule.他是个老顽固。

10 tornadoes   

n.龙卷风，旋风( tornado的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Tornadoes, severe earthquakes, and plagues create wide spread havoc. 龙卷风、大地震和瘟疫成普遍的毁坏。 来自互联网
• Meteorologists are at odds over the working of tornadoes. 气象学者对龙卷风的运动方式看法不一。 来自互联网