书城哲学穷理查智慧书
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第17章 1749年

“财富与满足并非总是同床共枕。智者从他人过失中学习教训;蠢人则要自己犯错才行。冲动之后必然后悔。用好一便士,等于节省四便士。满足让穷人富有;贪心让富人贫穷。如果激情在奔驰,让理智扼住缰绳。”

1692年1月7日儒略历1692年1月7日。罗伯特·波义耳罗伯特·波义耳(Robert Boyle,1627年1月25日-1691年12月30日)爱尔兰自然哲学家,在化学和物理学研究上都有杰出贡献。去世,他是上个世纪最伟大的思想家之一。他第一次将气泵这种机器投入实际使用,发现并展现了空气这种神奇元素的许多惊异特性。他的自然史学识渊博,也精通化学,而且虔诚之心独一无二。波义耳,

他虔诚地在那黑暗的深渊中探索,

寻找伟大的造物主。

——汤姆逊

——BOYLE, whose pious search

Amid the dark recesses of his works

The great CREATOR sought.

——Thomson 他的例子说明了一点,虽然无知有时可以成为忠诚之母,但真才实学与虔诚绝不是不可相容的。

公元1546年2月18日,著名的宗教改革家路德马丁·路德(Martin Luther ,1483年 11月10日 — 1546年 2月18日)新教宗教改革的发起人。去世。他给予欧洲教皇的专制猛烈一击。他是个素食主义者,且不喝酒,有时甚至连续四天斋戒;有些时候连续多日只吃一点面包和鲱鱼。西塞罗说,吃得苦中苦,方为人上人;或许还应当加上,吃得素中素,方为人上人。因为暴饮暴食会令人精力衰退、身心愚钝。

1626年4月7日儒略历1626年4月7日。伟大的小人弗兰西斯·培根爵士弗兰西斯·培根(Francis Bacon, 1561年1月22日-1626年4月9日)英国散文作家、哲学家、政治家,是古典经验论的始祖。去世。他的伟大在于其惊人的天赋、才华与学识;说他是小人,在于其奴颜媚骨,顺从一个卑鄙的宫廷,竭力奉承一位渺小的君主。蒲柏对他的评价入木三分:

如果才华迷住你,想想光芒四射的培根,

这个最智慧、最聪明,也最卑劣的人。

If Parts allure thee, think how BACON shin"d,

The wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind.公正来说,他被敬为现代实验哲学之父。另一首诗对他相对偏袒,把他的污点都归咎于他人生中那一次不幸的选择。培根,那次不幸的选择,

不适合伫立在国家的风暴中,

以坚定但易受影响的美德,

依然在自己的道路上策马前行;

勤勉的背影下形成了亲善的性格,

深刻、广泛、清晰、准确与优雅;

仿佛柏拉图、亚里士多德和西塞罗融合为一个富有的灵魂。

他是那么伟大的拯救者!

而且来自寺庙和私塾的不起眼的角落。

真正的思想得以解脱,

它被词语和形式的魔链长期束缚,

甚至失去了定义 :

上帝的女儿因他而解脱!

在缓缓上升,发光的指尖再次指向天堂,

一切事件皆收眼中。

公元1564年5月27日,著名宗教改革家约翰·加尔文约翰·加尔文(John Calvin,1509年7月10日-1564年5月27日)法国著名的宗教改革家、神学家、基督新教的重要派别加尔文派的创始人。在日内瓦去世,他和路德一样禁欲和节制,甚至有过之而无不及。他每年会举办演讲186场,布道286场;除此之外,每年还出版一本大部头书籍;加上他常年任职于教堂,进行日常管理,回复经历了宗教改革的世界各地的牧师们的来信,为他们答疑解惑,等等。他几乎不吃肉,也几乎不睡觉,他一生中一直在进行有意义的行动。尽管他55岁去世,但仍被认为是长寿的,因为睡觉和懒惰不能算是活着。

公元1215年6月15日,国王约翰签署了《大宪章》宣布和建立了英国的自由。

公元1642年12月25日是伟大的艾萨克·牛顿爵士的诞辰,他是现代天文学泰斗和伟大的哲学家。但是与天使相比,我们微不足道却又引以为傲的知识又算得了什么呢?如果天使们看见我们的行动,熟知我们的事务,我们所展现的科学的全貌,在他们眼中一定比无知好不了多少。普通的学者对他们来说根本不值一提。时不时我们中间出现一位极其伟大的学者,比如亚里士多德,或者牛顿,或许有可能以自己最精彩的推论取悦他们,似乎这是对他们那些崇高的娱乐的一点模仿。所以蒲柏这么写道:当高等的存在者看见 一位凡人揭开自然界的法则,

也会欣赏人类的这般智慧,

他们看牛顿,

就像我们看猴子一样。

Superior beings, when of late they saw,

A mortal man unfold all nature"s law,

Admir"d such wisdom in a human shape,

And shew"d a Newton, as we shew an ape.

当我们翻阅古代史,看到将军们对庞大军团发表演说时,有时不禁会想士兵们如何才能听清楚将军的讲话。但假设人群相互间隔非常小,每个人占用的地方不过两英尺长、一英尺宽一英尺等于30.48 厘米。这样100码一码等于 0.9144 米。见方的面积大概能容下45000人,每英亩地能站上21780个人。一般来说,100码开外的声音多数是可以听见的。

When we read in antient history of the speeches made by generals to very numerous armies, we sometimes wonder how they could be well heard; but supposing the men got together so close, that each took up no more ground than two foot in breadth, and one in depth, 45000 might stand in a space that was but 100 yards square, and 21780 on a single acre of ground. There are many voices that may be heard at 100 yards distance.

这里的女士闻不惯阿拉伯的香料。宾夕法尼亚最好的赏乐人不会欣赏中国的雅乐。其他国家的高贵美食家也无法享受日本最精美的料理。但是拥有仁慈之心的君子,无论在世界的什么地方遇到友好慷慨的行为,都会感到欣喜。

The nose of a lady here, is not delighted with perfumes that she understands are in Arabia. Fine musick in China gives no pleasure to the nicest ear in Pennsilvania. Nor does the most exquisite dish serv"d up in Japan, regale a luxurious palate in any other country. But the benevolent mind of a virtuous man, is pleas"d, when it is inform"d of good and generous actions, in what part of the world soever they are done.

关于声音

弗莱姆斯泰德先生、哈利博士和德哈姆先生一致认为,声音每秒传播1142英尺,也就是一英里大致需要4.58秒,并同时传播到大气中的不同层面。强风也几乎不会改变声音的速度,无精打采的声音和响亮的声音都以同样的速度传播。不同的声音,如钟声、枪声等,传播的速度也是相同的,且自始至终速度不会发生变化。

OF SOUND

Mr. Flamstead, Dr. Halley and Mr. Derham, agree that sound moves 1142 feet in a second, which is one English mile in 4 seconds and 58ths; that it moves in the same time in every different state of the atmosphere; that winds hardly make any difference in its velocity; that a languid or loud sound moves with the same velocity; and that different kinds of sounds, as of bells, guns, &c. have the same velocity, and are equally swift in the beginning as end of their motion.给年轻人的忠告:选定最理想的生活方式,习惯会令其变成最愉快的方式。但是很多人根本不在乎生活方式,也没有可以取得成果的生活计划;只是永远在纷繁世事中漫无目的地游荡。

It was wise counsel given to a young man, Pitch upon that course of life which is most excellent, and CUSTOM will make it the most delightful. But many pitch on no course of life at all, nor form any scheme of living, by which to attain any valuable end; but wander perpetually from one thing to another.

骄傲据说是好人最难铲除的一个罪恶。它相当善变,会在不同场合下伪装自己,有时甚至戴上谦逊的面具。有些人以穿着整洁得体为荣,也有人反其道而行之,并永远不修边幅。

PRIDE is said to be the last vice the good man gets clear of. "Tis a meer Proteus, and disguises itself under all manner of appearances, putting on sometimes even the mask of humility. If some are proud of neatness and propriety of dress; others are equally so of despising it, and acting the perpetual sloven.

如何致富

How to get RICHES致富之道在于节俭。挣钱的能力因人而异,但节俭的美德每个人都能拥有。

The Art of getting Riches consists very much in THRIFT. All Men are not equally qualified for getting Money, but it is in the Power of every one alike to practise this Virtue.

想领先世界的人,必须在事业上也先人一步:使人失败的不仅是不善管理,还有生性懒惰,应该早上做的事常拖到下午。

He that would be beforehand in the World, must be beforehand with his Business: It is not only ill Management, but discovers a slothful Disposition, to do that in the Afternoon, which should have been done in the Morning.

小时候的实用教育让你长大后得以致富,其中不可轻视写作与会计。

Useful Attainments in your Minority will procure Riches in Maturity, of which Writing and Accounts are not the meanest.

无论是理论性还是实践性的知识,无论是大众化还是综合型管理技巧,都是财富与荣耀的源泉。

Learning, whether Speculative or Practical, is, in Popular or Mixt Governments, the Natural Source of Wealth and Honour.

戒律一

当机立断,自己决定,

莫太信任仆人或朋友:

朋友的意见或许有用,

仆人的很少出自真心。

PRECEPT I.

In Things of moment, on thy self depend,

Nor trust too far thy Servant or thy Friend:

With private Views, thy Friend may promise fair,

And Servants very seldom prove sincere.

戒律二

今日事,今日毕,

夜长梦多需警惕;

未来遥远不可靠,

财富可爱亦多变。

PRECEPT II.

What can be done, with Care perform to Day,

Dangers unthoughtof will attend Delay;

Your distant Prospects all precarious are,

And Fortune is as fickle as she"s fair.

戒律三

微小损益,不可轻视,

土丘堆积,可成高峰:

掂量每份开支不浪费,

涓涓细流,终成江河。

PRECEPT III.

Nor trivial Loss, nor trivial Gain despise;

Molehills, if often heap"d, to Mountains rise:

Weigh every small Expence, and nothing waste,

Farthings long sav"d, amount to Pounds at last.财富与满足并非总是同床共枕。

Wealth and Content are not always Bedfellows.

智者从他人过失中学习教训;蠢人则要自己犯错才行。

Wise Men learn by others harms; Fools by their own.

冲动之后必然后悔。

The end of Passion is the

beginning of Repentance.

言语显智慧,行动见真心。

Words may shew a man"s Wit, but Actions his Meaning.

用好一便士,等于节省四便士。

"Tis a well spent penny that saves a groat.

狐狸都会变老,但没几个会变好。

Many Foxes grow grey, but few grow good.

自以为是先蒙蔽你的双眼,然后让你狂奔。

Presumption first blinds a Man, then sets him a running.

四月寒冷,粮仓充盈。

A cold April,

The Barn will fill.

满足让穷人富有;贪心让富人贫穷。

Content makes poor men rich; Discontent makes rich Men poor.

过度富足,令人嘴刁。

Too much plenty makes Mouth dainty.

如果激情在奔驰,让理智扼住缰绳。

If Passion drives, let Reason hold the Reins.

不轻信,不争吵,不赌博,不借债;

如此一生都会平平安安。

Neither trust, nor contend, nor lay wagers, nor lend;

And you"ll have peace to your Lives end.

饮酒要适当,脑袋才灵光。

Drink does not drown Care, but waters it, and makes it grow faster.

贪图美食,钱财全失。

Who dainties love, shall Beggars prove.

能勉强过得好就比什么都好。

A Man has no more Goods than he gets Good by.

单行之祸不足惧。

Welcome, Mischief, if thou comest alone.

不同的教派像不同的钟表,尽管报时不同,但都接近准时。

Different Sects like different clocks, may be all near the matter, "tho they don"t quite agree.

蜡做的脑袋,别把太阳晒。

If your head is wax, don"t walk in the Sun.

聪明和漂亮,也可能伤你。

Pretty & Witty,

will wound if they hit ye.

贫穷不是耻辱,对贫穷感到耻辱才是。

Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.

努力比邻居做得更好,这是值得赞许的理想。

Tis a laudable Ambition, that aims at being better than his Neighbours.

智者从敌人那里获得的经验,比蠢人从朋友身上得到的便宜更多。

The wise Man draws more Advantage from his Enemies, than the Fool from his Friends.

所有人都活得长,但没人会变老。

All would live long, but none would be old.

声称自己不骄傲,并不总是代表谦逊。

Declaiming against Pride, is not always a Sign of Humility.

宽容消除伤痛,复仇增加伤痛。

Neglect kills Injuries, Revenge increases them.

加害于人使你比敌人更卑劣;复仇使你们半斤八两;宽恕使你比他高尚。

Doing an Injury puts you below your Enemy; Revenging one makes you but even with him; Forgiving it sets you above him.

大部分实践中学到的知识,并不是什么大道理。

Most of the Learning in use, is of no great Use.

拥有天分但不审慎,乃无比悲哀之事。

Great Goodnature, without Prudence, is a great Misfortune.

问心无愧,心无所畏。

Keep Conscience clear,

Then never fear.

冲动的人好比骑了匹疯马。

A Man in a Passion rides a mad Horse.

再见,读者,愿幸福伴你左右;

愿你每个新年里,都生活美好,财源广进。

Reader farewel, all Happiness attend thee;

May each NewYear, better and richer find thee.