Half angel, half devil一半是天使一半是魔鬼

The Complexity and Duality of Human Nature

Steven Pinker once said, “Human nature is complex. Even though we have a tendency toward violence, we also have tendencies toward compassion, cooperation, and self-control.” This statement got me thinking about many things in our daily lives.

The Duality of Human Nature

Do you remember Old Man Zhang from our village? He usually has a quick temper and gets angry easily when things don’t go his way. But one time, the neighbor’s little dog went missing, and the owner was running around in a panic. Without a second thought, Old Man Zhang spent the whole day helping to look for it and finally found the dog in the woods at the edge of the village. You see, even someone who seems grumpy on the outside can have a kind and gentle heart inside.

Cooperation and Competition

Let’s talk about the busy farming season in our village. During harvest time, everyone helps each other—you help me cut the wheat, and I help you plant the rice. Sure, we might argue over small things sometimes, but when it really matters, we all come together as a team.

The Importance of Self-Control

Do you remember when you were little and loved eating candy? Every time you saw some, you couldn’t resist grabbing it. But eating too much candy is bad for your teeth. So, I told you that you could only have one piece a day. At first, you weren’t too happy about it, but little by little, you learned to control yourself and eat candy in a smart, measured way.

The Complexity of Human Nature

Human nature is like a coin—it has two sides. We might lose our temper over a small thing, but we can also lend a helping hand when someone needs us. The key is how we see ourselves and how we choose to act.

Conclusion

My dear child, in life, we will meet all kinds of people and face all kinds of situations. Understanding the complexity of human nature helps us learn to be tolerant and understanding of others. At the same time, we should keep reflecting on ourselves and strive to be kind, cooperative, and good at self-control.

 

Vocabulary, Phrases, Idioms, and Slang Explained for English Learners

Learning English can be fun, especially when we break down the words and phrases used in the story above! Below, I’ll explain some key vocabulary, common phrases, idioms, and even a bit of slang, starting from an elementary (U.S. elementary school) level. These explanations are designed to help non-native English speakers understand the text better and improve their language skills. Let’s dive in!

Vocabulary

1. Complex (adj.)
   • Meaning: Something that is not simple and has many parts or details.
   • Example: Human nature is complex because it includes both good and bad behaviors.
   • Tip: Think of a puzzle with many pieces—that’s complex!
2. Duality (n.)
   • Meaning: The state of having two different parts or sides.
   • Example: The duality of human nature means we can be kind and angry at the same time.
   • Tip: It’s like having two faces—one happy, one sad.
3. Temper (n.)
   • Meaning: The way someone controls their anger or emotions.
   • Example: Old Man Zhang has a quick temper, so he gets angry easily.
   • Tip: If someone has a “bad temper,” they get mad a lot!
4. Panic (n./v.)
   • Meaning: A sudden feeling of fear or worry; to feel this way.
   • Example: The owner was in a panic when the dog went missing.
   • Tip: Imagine running around because you lost something important—that’s panic!
5. Harvest (n./v.)
   • Meaning: The time to gather crops; to gather them.
   • Example: During harvest time, the village works together.
   • Tip: Think of farmers picking apples or wheat in the fall.
6. Resist (v.)
   • Meaning: To stop yourself from doing something you want to do.
   • Example: You couldn’t resist eating candy when you were little.
   • Tip: It’s hard to resist chocolate when it smells so good!
7. Tolerant (adj.)
   • Meaning: Willing to accept or understand different people or behaviors.
   • Example: Being tolerant helps us get along with others.
   • Tip: It’s like being okay with someone who is different from you.

Common Phrases

8. Second thought
   • Meaning: To do something without hesitating or thinking too much.
   • Example: Old Man Zhang helped without a second thought.
   • Tip: It shows quick kindness, like jumping in to help right away!
9. Come together
   • Meaning: To unite or work as a group.
   • Example: The village comes together during harvest time.
   • Tip: Imagine a team holding hands to solve a problem.
10. Little by little
    • Meaning: Slowly, over time.
    • Example: You learned self-control little by little.
    • Tip: It’s like building a tower one block at a time.
11. Lend a helping hand
    • Meaning: To offer help to someone.
    • Example: We can lend a helping hand when others need us.
    • Tip: It’s a kind way to say, “I’ll help you!”

Idioms

12. Lose one’s temper
    • Meaning: To get angry suddenly.
    • Example: We might lose our temper over a small thing.
    • Tip: It’s like a volcano erupting inside you!
13. Like a coin
    • Meaning: Having two sides, just like a coin has heads and tails.
    • Example: Human nature is like a coin with two sides.
    • Tip: Use this to compare things that have opposites.

Slang (Less Common but Fun to Learn)

14. Grumpy
    • Meaning: Someone who is easily annoyed or in a bad mood (informal).
    • Example: Old Man Zhang seems grumpy on the outside.
    • Tip: It’s like saying someone is a “cranky pants” in a fun way!
15. Running around in a panic
    • Meaning: Moving quickly because of fear or worry (informal expression).
    • Example: The owner was running around in a panic.
    • Tip: Picture someone chasing their lost dog like crazy!

 

Learning Tips for Non-Native Speakers

• Practice with Sentences: Try making your own sentences with these words. For example, “I lost my temper when I couldn’t find my book, but I lent a helping hand to my friend later.”
• Listen and Repeat: Watch English cartoons or shows (like “Peppa Pig” for kids) to hear these words in action. Repeat them aloud!
• Use a Dictionary: Look up new words in a picture dictionary or app like Merriam-Webster to see examples and hear pronunciation.
• Ask Questions: If you’re confused, ask a friend or teacher to explain more. Learning is a journey!

This article is now a fantastic tool for you to learn English step by step. Keep practicing, and you’ll become a pro in no time!