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托斯丹·凡勃伦:有闲阶级论·摘录 47

托斯丹·凡勃伦《有闲阶级论》· The Theory of the Leisure Class · 投资

The quasi-peaceable gentleman of leisure, then, not only consumes of the staff of life beyond the minimum required for subsistence and physical efficiency, but his consumption also undergoes a specialisation as regards the quality of the goods consumed. He consumes freely and of the best, in food, drink, narcotics, shelter, services, ornaments, apparel, weapons and accoutrements, amusements, amulets, and idols or divinities. In the process of gradual amelioration which takes place in the articles of his consumption, the motive principle and proximate aim of innovation is no doubt the higher efficiency of the improved and more elaborate products for personal comfort and well-being. But that does not remain the sole purpose of their consumption. The canon of reputability is at hand and seizes upon such innovations as are, according to its standard, fit to survive. Since the consumption of these more excellent goods is an evidence of wealth, it becomes honorific; and conversely, the failure to consume in due quantity and quality becomes a mark of inferiority and demerit.

出处: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/833
定位:Excerpt 47 · 核对日期:2026-10-19 · 核验:短摘录

白话

准和平的有闲绅士不仅消费超过生存和身体效率最低所需的生活必需品,其消费在商品质量上也专门化。他在食物、饮料、麻醉品、住所、服务、装饰、服装、武器和装备、娱乐、护身符、偶像或神祇上自由消费且用最好的。在消费品的逐步改良中,创新的动机原则和直接目标无疑是提高产品对个人舒适和福祉的效率。但这并非消费的唯一目的。荣誉准则就在手边,它抓住那些按其标准适合生存的创新。由于消费这些更优良的商品是财富的证明,它变得荣誉;反之,未能按适当数量和质量消费则成为低劣和缺点的标志。

上下文

凡勃伦论述有闲绅士的消费专门化,以及荣誉准则如何将创新转化为身份标志。

今日一问

你追求“更好”的商品时,有多少是为了舒适,多少是为了荣誉?

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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