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P.T. 巴纳姆:奋斗与胜利·补录 31

P.T. 巴纳姆《奋斗与胜利》· Struggles and Triumphs · 领导

My grandfather, who was much interested in my success, advised me to take an agency for the sale of lottery tickets, on commission. In those days, the lottery was not deemed objectionable on the score of morality. Very worthy people invested in such schemes without a thought of evil, and then, as now, churches even got up lotteries, with this difference--that then they were called lotteries, and now they go under some other name. While I am very glad that an improved public sentiment denounces the lottery in general as an illegitimate means of getting money, and while I do not see how any one, especially in or near a New England State, can engage in a lottery without feeling a reproach which no pecuniary return can compensate; yet I cannot now accuse myself for having been lured into a business which was then sanctioned by good Christian people, who now join with me in reprobating enterprises they once encouraged. But as public sentiment was forty years ago, I obtained an agency to sell lottery tickets on a commission of ten per cent, and this business, in connection with my little store, made my profits quite satisfactory.

出处: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50115
定位:Additional excerpt 31 · 核对日期:2026-10-19 · 核验:短摘录

白话

巴纳姆的祖父很关心他的成功,建议他代理销售彩票,按佣金提成。当时彩票并不被认为有道德问题,很多体面人投资彩票,教堂也搞彩票,只是那时叫彩票,现在换了个名字。巴纳姆现在很庆幸公众舆论已普遍谴责彩票这种不正当的赚钱手段,他也认为在新英格兰州附近做彩票会让人良心不安,多少钱都补偿不了。但他不责怪自己当年被引入这个行业,因为那时善良的基督徒都认可,而这些人现在也和他一起谴责他们曾鼓励过的事。四十年前,他拿到彩票代理权,佣金10%,加上小店,利润相当满意。核心是:商业道德标准会随时间变化,要理解历史语境,但今天应远离不道德生意。

上下文

巴纳姆在自传中解释自己早年卖彩票的经历,并反思道德标准的变化。

今日一问

你所在的行业有没有今天看似正常、未来可能被谴责的赚钱方式?你如何取舍?

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