《伊索寓言》中有个《蚂蚁与蝈蝈》的故事。我重读所想到的是，蚂蚁与蝈蝈可以认为是两种原型，代表了两种生活态度。至于其中采集冬粮或者夏日歌舞等，都是些无关宏旨的细节。

蚂蚁类型的人，往往严于律己奋发上进。不管追求的是什么，总之有所追求。他们相信要对自己狠点儿，今年要为明天做准备，强调的是责任成就等。

蝈蝈类型的人，往往善待自己随遇而安。也不能说没有追求，而是主要追求个人当下的快乐。他们觉得没有必要让自己太累，享受今天而明天的事情到时候再说，更在意自己的感受而不是他人的评价。

我个人年轻的时候无疑是选择了蚂蚁模式。年龄渐长，可能也倾向于选择蝈蝈模式。尽管如此，我还是喜欢选择蚂蚁模式的学生。

我现在觉得，两种模式其实没有优劣之分，完全是一种个人偏好。对于选择蚂蚁模式的人，没有必要鄙视那些选择蝈蝈模式的人。正是由于有许多人选择了蝈蝈模式，才使得那些选择了蚂蚁模式的人生活比较容易一些。选择蝈蝈模式人，最好还能随时保持选择的能力，免得后来被迫选择蚂蚁模式，甚至如伊索寓言中所说，完全没有选择了。

我最近看的是妻子很早以前收藏的港版中英对照本。从网上随便找个英文版本，附在后面。

The Ant and theGrasshopper

In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping andsinging to its heart's content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toilan ear of corn he was taking to the nest.

"Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper,"instead of toiling and moiling in that way?"

"I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant,"and recommend you to do the same."

"Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have gotplenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued itstoil.

When the winter came the Grasshopper found itself dying of hunger, whileit saw the ants distributing, every day, corn and grain from the stores theyhad collected in the summer.

Then the Grasshopper knew...

It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.