Ｔiｅｒ’ｓ　Ｂｅｎｃｈ

スラッシュ・リーディング　参考例文　14

①　Besides the intellect, /the power of concentration is a very important

quality, /which few people acquire /except through education. It is true /that

it develops naturally to some extent, /but people are not likely to acquire

enough concentration /without a long period of intellectual education.

②　There are three qualities /which distinguish perfect concentration /from

imperfect concentration: /perfect concentration should be intense, /prolonged

and voluntary. Intensity is illustrated /by the story of Archimedes. He is said

/to have taken no notice /when the Romans came to kill him, /because he was

absorbed /in a mathematical problem /and bent on solving it. To be able to

concentrate on the same thing for a long time/ is essential /to difficult

achievement. As long as the object is of great interest, /this is brought

about naturally.

③ Most people can work /on a mechanical puzzle /for a long time, /but this is

not in itself very useful. To be really valuable, /the concentration must also be

under the control of the will. I think it is above all the control of the will /that is

nurtured by education.