1748-07-21 Benjamin Franklin.ADVICE TO A YOUNG TRADESMAN.

Refer To：《The Project Gutenberg eBook, Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself, Volume II (of 2), by Benjamin Franklin》。

To my Friend A. B.

致我的朋友A.B.

As you have desired it of me, I write the following hints, which have been of service to me, and may, if observed, be so to you.

既然你要求我这样做，我就写下以下提示，这些对我很有帮助，如果你遵守，也可能对你有帮助。

Remember that time is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by his labour, and goes abroad or sits idle one half of that day, though he spends but sixpence during his diversion or idleness, ought not to reckon that the only expense; he has really spent, or, rather, thrown away, five shillings besides.

记住，时间就是金钱。一个人通过劳动每天可以赚十先令，如果他在这一天中外出或闲坐度过了一半时间，虽然他在娱乐或闲散中只花了六便士，但不应只认为这是唯一的支出；他实际上还浪费了另外五先令。

Remember that credit is money. If a man lets his money lie in my hands after it is due, he gives me the interest, or so much as I can make of it during that time. This amounts to a considerable sum where a man has good and large credit, and makes good use of it.

记住，信用就是金钱。如果一个人在到期后仍然让我持有他的钱，他就相当于把利息或我在这段时间内能赚的钱让给了我。对于拥有良好信用并善加利用的人来说，这可以累积成一笔可观的金额。

Remember that money is of the prolific, generating nature. Money can beget money, and its offspring can beget more, and so on. Five shillings turned is six, turned again it is seven and threepence, and so on till it becomes a hundred pounds. The more there is of it, the more it produces every turning, so that the profits rise quicker and quicker. He that kills a breeding-sow, destroys all her offspring to the thousandth generation. He that murders a crown, destroys all that it might have produced, even scores of pounds.

记住，金钱具有繁殖和增值的本质。金钱可以生出更多的金钱，而这些“后代”还会生出更多的金钱，依此类推。五先令经过一番周转变成六先令，再转变成七先令三便士，直至达到一百英镑。钱越多，每次转手带来的收益就越大，利润增长得越来越快。杀死一头繁殖的母猪，相当于毁掉了它千代以后的后代；而浪费一克朗，就等于毁掉了它可能产生的所有收益，甚至是数十英镑。

Remember that six pounds a year is but a groat a day. For this little sum (which may be daily wasted either in time or expense unperceived) a man of credit may, on his own security, have the constant possession and use of a hundred pounds.[Pg 38] So much in stock, briskly turned by an industrious man, produces great advantage.

记住，一年六英镑不过是每天一便士。凭借这小小的金额（可能会在日常时间或开销中不知不觉地浪费掉），一个有信用的人可以依靠自己的信誉，长期持有和使用一百英镑。这样的一笔资金，通过勤劳的人加以有效运用，可以带来很大的收益。

Remember this saying, The good paymaster is lord of another man's purse. He that is known to pay punctually and exactly to the time he promises, may at any time, and on any occasion, raise all the money his friends can spare. This is sometimes of great use. After industry and frugality, nothing contributes more to the raising of a young man in the world than punctuality and justice in all his dealings; therefore never keep borrowed money an hour beyond the time you promised, lest a disappointment shut up your friend's purse for ever.

记住这句谚语：“守信的支付者是别人钱包的主人。”一个被认为总是准时、按承诺还款的人，可以在任何时候、任何场合筹集到朋友们所能借出的所有资金。这有时非常有用。在勤劳和节俭之后，没有什么比准时和诚信更能帮助一个年轻人获得成功；因此，永远不要拖延超过你承诺的还款时间一小时，否则一次失信可能让你的朋友永远对你关上钱袋。

The most trifling actions that affect a man's credit are to be regarded. The sound of your hammer at five in the morning or nine at night, heard by a creditor, makes him easy six months longer; but if he sees you at a billiard-table, or hears your voice at a tavern when you should be at work, he sends for his money the next day; demands it, before he can receive it, in a lump.

即使是最微小的行为，只要影响到一个人的信用，都应予以重视。清晨五点或夜晚九点时你锤子的声音被债权人听到，会让他放心地再宽限你六个月；但如果他看到你在台球桌边，或听到你在酒馆中应当工作的时间里高谈阔论，他会在第二天索要他的钱，还会要求一次性收回。

It shows, besides, that you are mindful of what you owe; it makes you appear a careful as well as an honest man, and that still increases your credit.

此外，这表明你对自己所欠的债务有心记挂；这让你看起来既谨慎又诚实，并进一步提升了你的信用。

Beware of thinking all your own that you possess, and of living accordingly. It is a mistake that many people who have credit fall into. To prevent this, keep an exact account for some time both of your expenses and your income. If you take the pains at first to mention particulars, it will have this good effect: you will discover how wonderfully small, trifling expenses mount up to large sums, and will discern what might have been, and may, for the future, be saved, without occasioning any great inconvenience.

小心认为自己所拥有的一切都是自己的，并据此生活。许多有信用的人犯了这个错误。为了避免这种情况，记录一段时间内你的开支和收入。如果一开始你认真记录详细项目，将产生这样的良好效果：你会发现琐碎的小开支是如何奇妙地积累成大数目，并辨别出可以节省的支出，而不造成任何大的不便。

In short, the way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality; that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of[Pg 39] both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them everything. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all he gets (necessary expenses excepted), will certainly become rich, if that Being who governs the world, to whom all should look for a blessing on their honest endeavours, doth not, in his wise providence, otherwise determine.

总之，致富之路，若你渴望它，像去市场的路一样显而易见。它主要依赖于两个词，勤奋和节俭；即不浪费时间或金钱，而是将两者充分利用。没有勤奋和节俭，任何事都做不成；有了它们，一切皆有可能。一个诚实地赚取一切所能，并节省所有收入的人（必要开支除外），一定会变得富有，除非那位掌管世界的存在出于其睿智的安排另有决定。

An Old Tradesman.

一位老商人。

1748-07-21 Benjamin Franklin.ADVICE TO A YOUNG TRADESMAN.

1748-07-21 Benjamin Franklin.ADVICE TO A YOUNG TRADESMAN.

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