Task 1 Understanding China

新时代中国青年要树立远大理想。青年的理想信念关乎国家未来。理想远大、信念坚定，是一个国家、民族无坚不摧的前进动力。青年志存高远，就能激发奋进潜力，青春岁月就不会像无舵之舟漂泊不定。青年的人生目标会有不同，职业选择也有差异，但只有把自己的小我融入祖国的大我、人民的大我之中，与时代同步伐、与人民共命运，才能更好实现人生价值、升华人生境界。

Chinese youths in the new era should establish great ideals. The ideals and beliefs of youths have a bearing on the future of a country. Young people with great ideals and firm beliefs are the driving force that builds an invincible nation; high ambitions can stimulate your potential to forge ahead, so that you will not drift aimlessly like a boat without a rudder. Young people have different life goals and career choices. But only when you integrate your goals with those of the nation and the people, advance with the times, and share the aspirations of the people will you live up to your value and realize the lofty goals of life.

立志而圣则圣矣，立志而贤则贤矣。
A person who aspires to be a saint will become a saint; and a person who aspires to be a sage will become a sage.

注释：本句出自明代著名思想家王阳明所著《教条示龙场诸生》，英文翻译摘自Xi Jinping: The Governance of China III。大意是，立志成为圣人，就可以成为圣人；立志成为贤人，就可以成为贤人。王阳明指出“志不立，天下无可成之事”，认为立志是成就事业的根本。反之，志向不树立，就像没有舵的船，没有嚼子的马一样，随水漂流，任意奔逃，终究达不到目标。习近平总书记曾引用这句名言，寄语广大青年学子：“立志是一切开始的前提，青年要立志做大事，不要立志做大官。”