$课文37 衰老过程

674. At the age of twelve years, the human body is at its most vigorous.

人体在12岁时是生命力最旺盛的时期。

675. It has yet to reach its full size and strength, and its owner his or her full intelligence;

虽然这个时期人的身材、体力和智力还有待发展和完善，

676. but at this age the likelihood of death is least.

但在这个年龄死亡的可能性最小。

677. Earlier, we were infants and young children, and consequently more vulnerable;

再早一些，我们是幼儿和小孩子，身体较脆弱；

678. later, we shall undergo a progressive loss of our vigour and resistance which,

再迟一些，我们就要经历生命力和抵抗力逐步衰退的过程。

679. though imperceptible at first, will finally become so steep that we can live no longer,

虽然这个过程起初难以觉察，

680. however well we look after ourselves, and however well society, and our doctors, look after us.

但最终会急转直下，不管我们怎样精心照料我们自己，不管社会和医生怎样对我们进行精心照顾，我们也无法再活下去了。

681. This decline in vigour with the passing of time is called ageing.

生命力随着时间的流失而衰退叫做衰老。

682. It is one of the most unpleasant discoveries which we all make that we must decline in this way,

人类发现的最不愉快的一个事实是：人必然会衰老。