評(píng)論
打印
Erasmus stared at the old scrolls with dismay.
伊拉瑪盯著箱中陳舊的羊皮卷，
"As wealthy even, as you?"
困惑不解地問(wèn)道：“和您一樣有錢？”
"Far wealthier, if he chooses"
“如果愿意，甚至可以比我還富有。”
"You have stated that all but one of these scrolls contain selling principles.
“您剛才說(shuō)過(guò)，這些羊皮卷講的都是推銷的辦法，除了一卷以外，
What is contained on the last scroll?"
那這一卷又講了些什么呢？”
"The last scroll, as you call it,
“你說(shuō)的這一卷，
is the first scroll which must be read,
其實(shí)是必須閱讀的第一卷。
since each is numbered to be read in a special sequence.
其它每卷都要按特殊的順序來(lái)讀。
And the first scroll contains a secret
這頭一卷里藏著一個(gè)秘密，
which has been given to a mere handful of wise men
能夠領(lǐng)悟它的智者，
throughout history.
歷史上寥寥無(wú)幾。
The first scroll, in truth,
事實(shí)上，這第一卷是閱讀指南，
teaches the most effective way to learn what is written on the others."
告訴我們?cè)鯓佑行У乜赐昶渌鼛拙怼！?/div>
"It seems to be a task that anyone can master"
“聽起來(lái)象是人人都可以做的事情。”
"It is, indeed, a simple task
“的確很簡(jiǎn)單，
provided one is willing to pay the price
只要肯花時(shí)間，
in time and concentration
專心致志，
until each principle becomes a part of one's personality;
把這些原則榮進(jìn)自己的個(gè)性，
until each principle becomes a habit in living."
讓它們成為一種生活習(xí)慣。”
Erasmus reached into the chest and removed a scroll
伊拉瑪伸手拿出了一卷，
Holding it gently between his fingers and his thumb,
小心翼翼地捧著它，
he shook it toward Hafid.
顫巍巍地問(wèn)它的主人：
"Forgive me, master,
“請(qǐng)您原諒我這么問(wèn)，
but why is it that you have not shared these principles with others,
為什么您不把這些原則告訴大家？
especially those who have labored long in your employ?
尤其是常年在您手下工作的人。最起碼，他們可以變成更好的推銷員，賣更多的貨，這些年來(lái)，您為什么對(duì)這些原則一直保密？”
You have always shown such generosity
對(duì)于其它的事，
in all other matters,
您一向很大方，
how is it that all who have sold for you did not receive the opportunity to read these words of wisdom
為什么那些一生替您賣命的人，都沒(méi)有機(jī)會(huì)看到這些羊皮卷，
and thus become wealthy too?
獲得財(cái)富？
At the very least,
最起碼，
all would have been better sellers of goods
他們可以變成更好的推銷員，
with such valuable knowledge.
賣更多的貨，
Why have you kept these principles to yourself for all these years?"
這些年來(lái)，您為什么對(duì)這些原則一直保密？”
I had no choice.
“我沒(méi)有選擇的余地。
Many years ago when these scrolls were entrusted to my care,
許多年前，當(dāng)這些羊皮紙卷交到我手中時(shí)，
I was made to promise under oath,
我曾發(fā)過(guò)誓，
that I would share their contents with only one person.
答應(yīng)只讓一個(gè)人知道它們的內(nèi)容。
I do not yet understand the reasoning behind this strange request.
我至今尚不明白為什么會(huì)有那么奇怪的要求。
