选送院校：华北水利水电学院 选手姓名：匡景 指导老师：张锐锋 演讲内容 Never Put the Cart before the Horse Have you ever imagined, rubbing a wooden stick with a wooden board just to make a fire? Or running for days just to send a short message? Indeed, it is generally accepted that life used to be so in the past. Today, thanks to the achievements of science, we simply use a lighter to make a fire, and emails to send messages. In the silence of thought, do we all enjoy a life of better quality? Are we really wiser than before? The answer is no. Under no circumstances can we admit that many problems caused by the disadvantages of science should be solved by science intelligence rather than by culture smartness. First let’s look at a series of problems on environment and social ethics concerning environment pollution, greenhouse effect, clone man and nuclear deterrent that occurred against the prosperity carried out by science. In order to keep such problems from deterioration, we need follow the guidance of being culture smart. Fortunately, we are taking measures such as sustainable development to develop our society in a harmonious way. Culture to science is what a horse to a cart. Without the right guidance and the power of the horse, how can the cart move? Besides, don’t you think people are getting isolated from each other? Don’t you worry about computer taking the place of human brain? Don’t you realize the estrangement and departure of our culture? This time, I cannot be optimistic any more. Science intelligence has brought us the phone, the computer, the internet, and even the robot, etc which are gradually changing the way we lived and communicated before, and also, unluckily, have separated us farther and farther from the traditional culture. That will be the sorrow of all the human beings. The British former Prime Minister Winston Churchill once said: I would rather give up India but not Shakespeare, because nothing can replace the significance of culture. From that we can see culture is the root of our nation, the source of development. Everything grows relying on culture, science intelligence is no exception. So ladies and gentlemen, under the scientific concept of development, let’s hold the proud belief that, it is culture that defines our history, present and future. Never put the cart before the horse. 选送院校：华北水利水电学院 选手姓名：李奕 指导老师：王林南 演讲内容 Being Smart,Being happy Honorable judges, all my fellow friends: Good morning. Do you want happiness? I believe all of you will say YES from the bottom of your heart. But what is your definition of happiness? I did an investigation by asking many people from various walks of life. A local citizen said to me: Much salary, less extra work, that is happiness. And a professional manager defined that the happiest thing in the world is creating a national brand for my company. While a blind said: If I could play a harmonious musical chord, I will be the happiest one in the wide world! Are they intelligent? Not a certainty. Are they smart? Definitely! Because they are doing what they truly desire--something that is true to their values. Actually, being smart is the most effective thing you can do to ensure your happiness in life.Happiness has nothing to do with who you are, whether you are intelligent or not. It is located right in our heart, what we have to do is simple: Find it, go for it.And that is the smartness of life! “Don’t ever let anybody tell you, you can’t do something. You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves would tell you you can’t do it.” This is the words from Chris Gardner, the once-homeless salesman-turned stockbroker of the film “The Pursuit of Happiness”. He might not be the most intelligent among all those 20 candidates, but he finally stood out to get the job. I think it ‘s his persistence, responsibility, introspection and confidence that make him the last winner. And that is the smartness of life! Nowadays, many parents place great hope on their kids. They spare no effort to find ways to develop their potential, especially intelligence, but neglect the importance of cultivation of personality. Therefore, many kids are always self-centered. They seldom care about the well being of others. When they become adults,it is hard for them to listen to other’s opinion about controversial things,therefore they can’t get along well with other people,and they are in for a world of frustration.So,tell them to be nice to people and keep it up.They will start to feel very good inside.And this is where much of our happiness comes from,positive social interaction. Ladies and gentlemen, we all want a meaningful, happy and high-quality life. Then how could it be? Being weathy? Clearly not. Cultivating intelligence? Not effective. Being smart? That is the best policy. And that is the only secret of being happy. Thank you!