“Some money is too expensive.”
“有些金钱的代价太过昂贵。”
When I got my first grown-up job after college my dad asked me how much money I’d be willing to embezzle.
大学毕业后，我得到了成年后的第一份工作，我爸问我愿意贪污多少钱。
My dad was an aerospace engineer, one of the most straight-edge ethical men you can imagine. So I told him the truth, “You raised me to be honest. There is no amount of money that could induce me to steal.”
我爸是个航天工程师，是个你能想象的那种最正直最讲道德的人。所以我告诉了他事实：“你从小教我要诚实。根本就没有什么钱能让我去偷。”
But he wasn’t having it. “A thousand dollars?” he asked, “Ten thousand?”
但是他并不接受这个回答。“一千美金？”他问道，“还是一万？”
“Will I get caught?”
“我会被抓吗？”
“No one who embezzles thinks they will get caught.”
“没有哪个贪污的人会认为自己会被抓。”
“Ok, so it would have to be enough to escape the country and get a new identity.”
“好吧，那这些钱足够我逃到国外并且获得另一个身份。”
“Which is?” he asked.
“要多少？”他问。
“Fifty million dollars.” I said. “If they left fifty million with me and I thought I could get away scout free, I might take it.”
“5000万美金。”我说。“如果他们把5000万给了我，我觉得我可以逃过检查然后拿走它。”
“Excellent,” he said. “Now never sell out for a box of pens and a three hole punch. If fifty million dollars is your price, never steal a penny less.”
“好，”他说。“现在开始，永远不要为了一盒笔或者一个三孔的打孔机而出卖了自己。如果你要的是5000万美金，那就一分都不能少。”
Five advice more.
另外的5条建议。
1) “If you stand on the shores of temptation, the devil will row you a boat.” I attribute this sage advice to my grandmother, but it is likely from another source. Do not put yourself in situations to be tempted.
“如果你正站在诱惑湖畔旁，恶魔会给你提供一条船。”这是来自我圣人般的祖母的建议，但是听起来像是来自于别人。别让自己陷入诱惑的境地。
2) Each individual has strengths and weaknesses. Be smart enough to recognize not only your own strengths and weaknesses, but also the strengths and weaknesses of others.
每个人都有优势跟劣势。聪明一点，看清自己的和别人的优势跟劣势。
3) Find something to appreciate in everything and everyone.
不管什么人、什么事，都要找到其闪光点。
4) Surround yourself with the type of people you want to be.
跟那些你想要成为和他们一样的人在一起。
5) Direct quote from my father – “Son. You are intelligent. Use your powers for good.”
直接引用自我的父亲：“儿子，你很聪明。把你的能力用在好的地方。”
