投资 · 创业者自述
塞缪尔·斯迈尔斯：节俭·摘录 500
塞缪尔·斯迈尔斯《节俭》· Thrift · 投资
Is it not a fact, that in what is called "fashionable society," a fine outside appearance is regarded almost in the light of a virtue?--that to be rich, or to have the appearance of riches, is esteemed as a merit of a high order;--whereas, to be poor, or to seem so, ranks as something like an unpardonable offence? Nay, such is the heartlessness of this class spirit, that a young woman, belonging to the better class, who, by misfortune or family reverses, has been thrown upon her own resources, and who endeavours, by her own honest hands, to earn her honest bread, immediately loses caste, and is virtually expelled from "respectable" society. The resolution to be independent--the most invigorating resolution which can take possession of the human mind--is scouted in such circles as a degrading thing; and those who have been brought up within the influence of fashion, will submit to the most severe privations, rather than submit to the loss of their class and caste respectability!
出处：
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/14418
定位：Excerpt 500 · 核对日期：2026-10-19 · 核验：短摘录
白话
在所谓的“上流社会”里，漂亮的外表几乎被看作一种美德，有钱或显得有钱被当作高级优点，而贫穷或显得贫穷则像不可饶恕的罪过。这种阶级精神如此无情，以至于一个出身较好阶层的年轻女子，因不幸或家道中落而不得不自谋生路，用自己诚实的双手挣饭吃，立刻就会失去身份，实际上被逐出“体面”社会。自立的决心——最能振奋人心的决心——在这种圈子里被斥为丢脸的事；在时尚影响下长大的人，宁愿忍受最严重的匮乏，也不愿失去阶级和门第的体面。
上下文
斯迈尔斯在《节俭》中批判19世纪英国社会对贫穷的歧视和对阶级体面的盲目崇拜，尤其关注女性因家道中落而工作后遭受的社会排斥。
今日一问
当身边有人因诚实劳动而改变处境时，我们是否曾因所谓的“体面”而看低他们？
公版作品；原文逐字取自 Project Gutenberg，仅摘录段落并附全书链接。
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