Lesson 15 Aspirations Gone Astray 走入歧途的理想

　　Words:

　　ascribe vt. 把….归于

　　aspect n. （问题等的）方面；（事物等的）一部分

　　aspersion n. 诽谤，中伤

　　aspire vi. 渴望

　　aspiring adj. 有抱负的，有理想的，积极向上的

　　aspiration n. 雄心，抱负

　　assail v. （身体上）攻击，（言语上）攻击，批评

　　assassin n. 刺客

　　assassinate vt. 暗杀，行刺

　　assault n. (武力上的)袭击；（口头上的）攻击

　　assay v. 化验

　　assemble vt. 集合，装配； vi. 聚集

　　assembly n. 集会；参加集会的人们（译成：。。。大会，。。。议会）；装配，安装

　　assembly line 装配线，流水线

　　assert vt. 声称，坚持，斩钉截铁地说

　　assess vt. 估计，分析，评估

　　asset n. assests 财产，资产；优势，重要的品质；宝贵（或有益）的人（或东西）

　　assignment n. 任务，作业；分配

　　assimilate vt. 学习，吸收（知识）；吃，吸收（食品或营养）

　　assist vt. 援助，帮助

　　assistant n. 助手，助教；adj. 辅助的，助理的

　　I work in an assembly line in a car factory. Most days, I just assemble car parts. Occasionally, they’ll ask me to assay an unknown drugs substance. Once in a while, I’ll be asked to assist with breaking up a fight. Assault is not common here. But now and then, a frustrated worker will assail his assistant by casting aspersions on some aspect of the other’s work. I’m considered an asset in my company. But before 20 years ago, I was a different kind of asset to an entirely different type of company.

　　They called it “the company” but it was really a secret government group trained to assassinate political leaders. I never aspired to be an assassin. In fact, I was an aspiring chemist and a regular soldier in the army. All I really wanted was to do something great or important for my country. But sometimes, having too great an aspiration can lead you astray.

　　I still recall the day of the assembly. It was a small gathering of highly skills people like me. “The company” was assessing our abilities in the areas of weaponry and chemistry. I was a top chemist and a natural marksman, probably the best in my group. They ascribed my success to my steady hands and sharp eyes, the same tools I used for chemistry.

　　After the assembly, they gave us our assignments. I was assigned to assimilate into the mainstream society of a Latin American country. It wasn’t long before I was doing things that I will forever be ashamed to admit.

　　It’s been over for about 15 years. But I’ll never feel clean and I’ll never be able to assert that I have been a good man all my life.