投资 · 创业者自述

塞缪尔·斯迈尔斯:节俭·摘录 131

塞缪尔·斯迈尔斯《节俭》· Thrift · 投资

Notwithstanding their high wages, they for the most part cling to the dress, the language, and the manners of their class. They appear, during their leisure hours, in filthy dresses, and unwashed hands. No matter how skilled the workman may be, he is ready to sink his mind and character to the lowest level of his co-workers. Even the extra money which he earns by his greater skill, often contributes to demoralize and degrade him. And yet he might dress as well, live as well, and be surrounded by the physical comforts and intellectual luxuries of professional men. But no! From week to week his earnings are wasted. He does not save a farthing; he is a public-house victim; and when work becomes slack, and his body becomes diseased, his only refuge is the workhouse.

出处: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14418
定位:Excerpt 131 · 核对日期:2026-10-19 · 核验:短摘录

白话

尽管工资不低,多数工人还是照着本阶层的穿着、说话和做派过日子:休息时穿着脏衣服、手也不洗。手艺再好,也甘心把头脑和品格降到工友的最低水平。多挣的钱反而常把他们带坏、拉低。其实他们本可以穿得一样好、住得一样好,享受专业人士才有的物质舒适和智力乐趣。可他们没有:周复一周钱花光,一分不存,泡在酒馆里;等活儿少了、身体垮了,唯一去处就是济贫院。

上下文

斯迈尔斯批评19世纪英国部分熟练工人高工资却低储蓄、低追求的生活方式,济贫院是当时穷人最后的收容所。

今日一问

我多挣的那部分钱,是在提升生活,还是在悄悄拖垮我?

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