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弗朗西斯·培根:随笔·摘录 55
弗朗西斯·培根《随笔》· Essays · 领导 · 财富 · 认知 · 决策
The greatness of an estate, in bulk and territory, doth fall under measure; and the greatness of finances and revenue, doth fall under computation. The population may appear by musters; and the number and greatness of cities and towns by cards and maps. But yet there is not any thing amongst civil affairs more subject to error, than the right valuation and true judgment concerning the power and forces of an estate. The kingdom of heaven is compared, not to any great kernel or nut, but to a grain of mustard-seed: which is one of the least grains, but hath in it a property and spirit hastily to get up and spread. So are there states, great in territory, and yet not apt to enlarge or command; and some that have but a small dimension of stem, and yet apt to be the foundations of great monarchies.
出处:
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/575
定位:Excerpt 55 · 核对日期:2026-10-19 · 核验:短摘录
白话
一个国家的疆域大小可以测量,财政收入可以计算,人口可以通过点名统计,城镇数目和规模可以看地图。但在民政事务中,最容易出错的就是对国力强弱的正确评估。天国被比作芥菜种,而不是大坚果:芥菜种虽小,却有迅速生长蔓延的特性。所以有些国家疆域广大,却不易扩张或号令;有些国家版图很小,却可能成为伟大君主国的基础。关键不在块头,而在内在的活力和制度。
上下文
培根《随笔集》论国家的真正伟大,引用《圣经》芥菜种比喻,反对只看疆域财政的静态国力观。
今日一问
你评估一个组织或自己的实力时,是否只看了规模,而忽略了生长性?
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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