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有些金钱是人生不能承受之重

分类: 英语美文 

"Some money is too expensive."
“有些金钱的代价太过昂贵。”

When I got my first grown-up job after college my dad asked me how much money I'd be willing to embezzle.
大学毕业后,我得到了成年后的第一份工作,我爸问我愿意贪污多少钱。

My dad was an aerospace engineer, one of the most straight-edge ethical men you can imagine.   So I told him the truth, "You raised me to be honest. There is no amount of money that could induce me to steal.
"我爸是个航天工程师,是个你能想象的那种最正直最讲道德的人。所以我告诉了他事实:“你从小教我要诚实。根本就没有什么钱能让我去偷。”

But he wasn't having it.  "A thousand dollars?" he asked, "Ten thousand?"
但是他并不接受这个回答。“一千美金?”他问道,“还是一万?”

"Will I get caught?"
 “我会被抓吗?”

"No one who embezzles thinks they will get caught."
“没有哪个贪污的人会认为自己会被抓。”

"Ok, so it would have to be enough to escape the country and get a new identity."
“好吧,那这些钱足够我逃到国外并且获得另一个身份。”

"Which is?" he asked.
“要多少?”他问。

"Fifty million dollars."  I said.  "If they left fifty million with me and I thought I could get away scout free, I might take it."
“5000万美金。”我说。“如果他们把5000万给了我,我觉得我可以逃过检查然后拿走它。”

"Excellent," he said.  "Now never sell out for a box of pens and a three hole punch.   If fifty million dollars is your price, never steal a penny less."
“好,”他说。“现在开始,永远不要为了一盒笔或者一个三孔的打孔机而出卖了自己。如果你要的是5000万美金,那就一分都不能少。”

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