出版前言

一部文学史是人类从童真走向成熟的发展史，是一个个文学大师用如椽巨笔记载的人类的心灵史，也是承载人类良知与情感反思的思想史。阅读这些传世的文学名著就是在阅读最鲜活生动的历史，就是在与大师们做跨越时空的思想交流与情感交流，它会使一代代的读者获得心灵的滋养与巨大的审美满足。

中国对外翻译出版有限公司以中外语言学习和中外文化交流为自己的出版方向，向广大读者提供既能提升语言能力，又能滋养心灵的精神大餐是我们的一贯宗旨。尽管随着网络技术和数字出版的发展，读者获得这些作品的途径更加便捷，但是，一本本装帧精美、墨香四溢的图书仍是读书人的最爱。

“熟读唐诗三百首，不会做诗也会吟”，汉语学习如此，外语学习尤其如此。要想彻底学好一种语言，必须有大量的阅读。这不仅可以熟能生巧地掌握其语言技能，也可了解一种语言所承载的独特文化。“中译经典文库·世界文学名著（英语原著版）”便是这样一套必将使读者受益终生的读物。

PREFACE

A history of literature is a phylogeny of human beings growing from childhood to adulthood, a spiritual history of masters in literatureportraying human spirit with great touch, as well as a thinking history reflecting human conscience and emotional introspection.Reading these immortal classics is like browsing through our history, while communicating across time and space with great writersinto thinking and feelings. It bestows spiritual nutrition as well as aesthetic relish upon readers from generation to generation.

China Translation and Publishing Corporation (CTPC), with a publishing mission oriented toward readings of Chinese and foreignlanguages learning as well as cultural exchange, has been dedicated to providing spiritual feasts which not only optimize languageaptitude but also nourish heart and soul. Along with the development of Internet and digital publication, readers have easier access toreading classic works. Nevertheless, well-designed printed books remain favorite readings for most readers.

"After perusing three hundred Tang poems, a learner can at least utter some verses, if cannot proficiently write a poem." That is truefor learning Chinese, more so for learning a foreign language. To master a language, we must read comprehensively, not only fortaking in lingual competence, but also for catching the unique cultural essence implied in the language. "World Literary Classics(English originals)" can surely serve as a series of readings with everlasting edifying significance.