LYRICS
Now, the VOA Special English
program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.
Throughout history,
gold has been a sign of purity,
beauty and power.
Calling something golden means
it has great quality and value.
For example, the golden rule
is possibly the world's
most widespread moral rule.
It says people should treat others
the way they themselves
would like to be treated.
Every major religion
has its own version of this idea.
The golden ratio is found in art,
architecture and nature.
It describes a rectangle
with a length about one
and one-half times its width.
Objects using this ratio
in their design seem
to please the eye more than others.
Philosophers have
their own golden idea.
The golden mean says
moderation in all things
is the best way to live one's life.
It is an idea linked
to the Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle.
Similar thoughts exist
in Buddhism and Confucianism.
Ancient Greek myths told of
a time long ago when people lived
in peace and happiness.
Poets called it the Golden Age.
A golden age now describes
a historical period of great artistic,
scientific or economic progress.
It can even recall a time of success
and popularity for an industry.
For example, the nineteen thirties
and forties were called
the Golden Age of Radio.
You may have heard the proverb
silence is golden.
This means silence is of great value.
It is sometimes better
to say nothing than to speak.
You might say your child was good
as gold when he behaved well at school.
British writer Charles Dickens
used this expression
in eighteen forty-three.
He was describing the child Tiny Tim
in the book "A Christmas Carol."
In nineteen thirty-seven,
American playwright Clifford Odets
wrote a play called "The Golden Boy."
This expression describes
a young man who has many
good qualities and a bright future.
You might tell someone you are golden
when that person does something very well.
Gold digger is another description.
But this does not say
something nice about a person.
A gold digger is someone
who seeks to marry a rich person
because he or she is only interested
in that person's money.
Maybe you like old songs
from the nineteen fifties or sixties
that are still well known and popular today.
These are called golden oldies.
In the nineteen eighties and nineties,
an American television comedy series
told about four older women
living in Miami, Florida.
The Golden Girls often dealt
with social issues in a funny way.
Today, most older people look forward
to reaching their golden years.
This is when hard-working people
can retire to a life of ease and fulfillment.
(MUSIC)
This program was written by Mario Ritter.
I'm Faith Lapidus.