General Preface
Millions of Chinese individuals have been motivated to learn English in order to gain knowledge and communication skills that are essential in today's globalized world, where English has become the primary language for international discourse. However, many English language learners fail to recognize that mastering English also provides them with an easy access to literary classics such as plays by Shakespeare, poems by Shelley, novels by Mark Twain, and works by Nietzsche - all of which are an integral part of liberal arts education.
It is important to note that while universities exist primarily for vocational purposes, i.e., to impart knowledge and skills, their ultimate goal should not be limited to this scope. Rather, they should aim to provide students with a well-rounded education that equips them with the necessary tools to navigate the complexities of modern life.
In conclusion, the study of English language not only enhances the acquisition of professional knowledge but also enables individuals to appreciate the richness and diversity of world literature. Thus, it is crucial for learners of English to realize that mastering this language can open up a vast realm of possibilities both within the academic sphere and beyond.
在广义上，教育旨在拓宽年轻人的思维视野，培养品德并塑造他们的性格。林肯、毛泽东以及许多其他杰出的领导人和知名人士都曾表示，他们从文学著作中汲取了巨大的启示和力量。实际上，他们中的许多人在年轻时就有成为作家的抱负。亚历山大大帝(公元前356-323年)据说随身携带两样东西，无论醒着还是睡着：一本书和一把匕首，而这本书就是荷马的《伊利亚特》，一部文学经典。每当他睡觉时，都会将这对珍贵的东西放在枕头下。
Today, we find ourselves in an ever-increasingly complex and rapidly changing world. In order to successfully navigate this world, it is not enough to simply possess excellent communication skills; we must also have a deep understanding of cultures outside of our own. One significant aspect of today's global culture involves the increasing exchange and understanding among different nations and peoples. A key way to gain insight into foreign cultures is through reading their literature, particularly their literary classics. These works provide a window into the soul of a country's culture, offering both language proficiency and a sense of transcendence.
It is with great admiration that we congratulate Liaoning People's Publishing House for its foresight and courage in creating new volumes of world literary classics available to the public. We hope that readers who are proficient in English will take advantage of these resources, appreciate them as valuable works of literature, and keep them close throughout their lifetimes.
经典名著的语言无疑是最凝练、最优美、最有审美价值的。雪莱的那句“如冬已来临，春天还会远吗？”让多少陷于绝望的人重新燃起希望之火，鼓起勇气，迎接严冬过后的春天。徐志摩一句“悄悄的我走了，正如我悄悄的来；我挥一挥衣袖，不带走一片云彩”又让多少人陶醉。尼采的那句“上帝死了”，又给多少人以振聋发聩的启迪作用。
读经典名著，尤其阅读原汁原味作品，可以怡情养性，增长知识，加添才干，丰富情感，开阔视野。所谓“经典”，其实就是作者所属的那个民族的文化积淀，是那个民族的灵魂缩影。英国戏剧泰斗莎士比亚的《哈姆雷特》和《麦克白》等、“意大利语言之父”的但丁的《神曲》之《地狱篇》《炼狱篇》及《天堂篇》、爱尔兰世界一流作家詹姆斯·乔伊斯的《尤利西斯》及《一个艺术家的肖像》等、美国风趣而笔法超一流的著名小说家马克·吐温的《哈克历险记》以及《汤姆索亚历险记》等，德国著名哲学家尼采的《查拉图斯特拉如是说》及《快乐的科学》等等，都为塑造自己民族的文化积淀，做出了永恒的贡献，也同时向世界展示了他们所属的民族的优美剪影。
很多著名领袖如林肯、毛泽东等伟大人物，也都曾从经典名著中汲取力量，甚至获得治国理念。耶鲁大学教授查尔斯·希尔曾在题为《经典与治国理念》的文章中阐述了读书与治国之间的绝妙关系。他这样写道：“在几乎所有经典名著中，都可以找到让人叹为观止、深藏其中的治国艺术原则。”
经典名著不仅具有治国理念，更能够提升读者的审美情趣。世界上不同时代、不同地域的优秀经典作品都有一个共同点：它们都歌颂赞美人间的真善美，揭露抨击世间的假恶丑。读欧美自但丁以来的经典名著，我们可以看到，西方无论是在漫长的黑暗时期还是进入现代进程时期，总有经典作品问世，对世间的负面进行冷峻的批判。与此同时，也有更多的大家作品问世，热情讴歌人间的真诚与善良，使读者不由自主地沉浸于经典作品的审美情感之中。
英语经典名著显然是人类整个进程中至关重要的文化遗产的一部分。从历史上看，英语是全世界经典阅读作品中使用得最广泛的国际性语言之一。这一事实从未发生根本性变化，并且在本世纪相当长一段时间内也似乎不会发生任何变化。因此，要更深入地了解并切身感受英语经典名著的风采，阅读原汁原味的英语经典作品的过程是必不可少的。
辽宁人民出版社及时并隆重推出“最经典英语文库”系列丛书是具有远见与卓识的出版行为。我相信这套既可供阅读同时也具收藏价值的英语原版经典作品系列丛书在帮助人们了解什么才是经典作品的同时也会成为广大英语爱好者、大中学生以及学生家长们挚爱的“最经典英语文库”。
