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塞缪尔·斯迈尔斯:自助论·摘录 231

塞缪尔·斯迈尔斯《自助论》· Self-Help · 领导

The circle of his benevolent operation gradually widened. Observing the serious deterioration which had taken place in the quality of British wool,—one of the staple commodities of the country,—he forthwith, though but a private and little-known country gentleman, devoted himself to its improvement. By his personal exertions he established the British Wool Society for the purpose, and himself led the way to practical improvement by importing 800 sheep from all countries, at his own expense. The result was, the introduction into Scotland of the celebrated Cheviot breed. Sheep farmers scouted the idea of south country flocks being able to thrive in the far north. But Sir John persevered; and in a few years there were not fewer than 300,000 Cheviots diffused over the four northern counties alone. The value of all grazing land was thus enormously increased; and Scotch estates, which before were comparatively worthless, began to yield large rentals.

出处: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/935
定位:Excerpt 231 · 核对日期:2026-10-19 · 核验:短摘录

白话

他的善行圈子逐渐扩大。他注意到英国羊毛质量严重下降,这是国家的主要商品之一,于是,尽管只是个默默无闻的乡绅,他仍投身改良。他个人努力成立了英国羊毛协会,自费从各国进口800只羊,带头做实际改良。结果,著名的切维厄特羊种被引入苏格兰。牧羊人原本嘲笑南方羊群能在极北地区养好的想法,但约翰爵士坚持下来,几年内仅北方四郡就散布着不少于30万只切维厄特羊。所有牧地的价值因此大增,原本几乎一文不值的苏格兰地产开始带来高额租金。这说明,一个人只要认准问题、自掏腰包带头干,就能带动一大片改变。

上下文

斯迈尔斯《自助》中讲述约翰·辛克莱爵士改良英国羊毛的故事,体现个人主动精神。

今日一问

你注意到身边有什么“质量下降”的问题,是你一个人也能带头去改善的?

公版作品;原文逐字取自 Project Gutenberg,仅摘录段落并附全书链接。

本文本为公版;底本与原文链接见上。 版权

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