Wealth

Wealth

翻译：北京外国语大学北戴河外语培训基地副校长 张宝丹

The word wealth always reminds people of money and the sayings or concepts related to money. For example, “money talks”; “money makes the ghosts turn the mill”; “as birds die for food, so men die for wealth”; “the poor have no friends even though they live in the noisy downtown, while the rich have remote kinsfolk even if they live in the deep mountains”; “poverty chills ambition” “one cent short may put a hero in an awkward situation” etc, etc..

In the 1980' s, all shops were state-owned with marked prices. You couldn't buy what you wanted with even one cent short, so one cent could indeed embarrass a hero. A popular song at that time started “I picked up one cent at the roadside, and I handed it over to the policeman…” But now no one cares to pick it up even if it were ten cents.

People's reverence for money is expressed in varied ways. The names of companies or stores are often “Beer of Wealth and Honor”, “Restaurant of Wealth and Rank” “Store of the Aristocrats” “Hotel of Fame and Prestige” etc. (even some people's names have the meanings of “full of gold” or “great fortune”). At New Year's time, the god of wealth is worshiped and the picture of the god is covered with signs of money. When a millionaire is walking in the street, people will show their profound respect even though they know very well that they can not get a cent from him. The English film “the Million-Pound Note” makes a most vivid revelation of this situation. With the million pound note in hand, the hero has the privilege to buy on credit, or on loan and is even presented money from others. It's an idealized end of the story that the hero is still loved by his girl friend even after he lost his million-pound note. However, without the million-pound note, they couldn't have known each other. It's very difficult for people to make friends directly with beggars.

The song of “All Good Things Must End” in A Dream of the Red Mansions attacks the money worshipers by saying:

“All men long to be immortals

yet silver and gold they prize

And grub for money all their lives

Till death seals up their eyes”

But when Chen Shih-yin tries to expound this song by analyzing the inconstancy of human relationships and the incomprehensible human heart, he has to say:

“While men with gold and silver by the chest

Turn beggars, scorned by all and dispossessed”

The conclusion is that it doesn't work without money.

In spite of the human civilizations over thousands of years, people can not deny the function of money. This shows how important money is. Money plays a decisive role to individuals, to families and even to countries or nationalities. Otherwise, why is everyone, from doorkeepers to presidents, trying to earn as much as possible? Why does every country need Chancellors of the Exchequer, who keep formulating and revising financial laws and regulations? How different it is to be a creditor nation and a debtor nation! The United States is playing the tyrant just because it is wealthy enough. A poor man may cherish lofty aspirations, but will probably be beaten because of his poverty. The Afghanistan may have won a lot of sympathy, but how difficult it would be to live solely on charity.

Of all ages and in every country, all kinds of corruption stem from money. No matter how rough the man is, and in what despicable way he earned the money, he can grease the palms of or buy over some very decent officials or even intellectuals. Can you see how crucial a role money is playing? (A case in point is the bankrupt of the company)

Some people or organizations like some religious groups claim that they have seen through the human vanity and can take money lightly, but to people's puzzlement, they are also accumulating money, either to renovate the temples, or to regild Buddha's statues, in whatever pretexts. They are not engaged in production, so they can only depend on the donations from the devout believers. Sometimes your sincerity relies on whether you donate and how much you donate. Do the monks care about money? The answer is affirmative. What's more, many monks are already provided with a salary.

We are living in a material world, and it's really difficult to deny the function of money or wealth. We need money for food, clothes, education, hospital, housing and transportation, etc. There's rarely anything that doesn't need money. What we can discuss now is not the importance of money, but whether money is almighty and whether more wealth can bring us more happiness.

We must say that money is not almighty, and there are many things which money can't do. For example, many emperors like Qin Shihuang longed for elixirs. As wealthy as they were, and as mighty as they were to take every measure to search for long life medicine, they still could not avoid the sad denouement that “their graves are a covered with weeds”.

Many great men suffered from fatal illness. Even though they were treated with the best medical means, they had to suffer as much as the ordinary people, and met with the same inescapable fate. Rich or poor, great or ordinary, we come and go with nothing belonging to us.

Huang Shiren, the cruel hearted landlord, was rich but Xi'er would rather hid in the deep mountains and turn into a white-hired girl than marrying him;

Wang Baochuan wouldn't give up her marriage with Xue Pinggui even though she had to live in the cold cave for over ten years;

Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing Dynasty owned the whole country, but just because of the death his beloved concubine, he eventually became disillusioned with this world and spent the rest of life in the temple as a monk (it's all right even if it is a legend).

Many love stories can never be bought with money. The ever-lasting folktale of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai shows people's identification with this point of view.

Wealthy men also have a lot of worries: afraid of being stolen or kidnapped, they may have to hire a bodyguard; they're concerned about their spoiling the children, or worry about the family discord because of the legacy disputes after their death; Fearing devaluation if they don't invest, while fearing of bankrupt if they invest; Where is their happiness?

How much is enough? No limitation. As poor as beggars without a penny, they can make a living by begging. It's said that some have become millionaires through begging. As wealthy as a billionaire, they can only enjoy a couple of dishes each meal. If someone is allergic to seafood, or tired of rich dishes, he may enjoy the pickled vegetables just as much.

As for money, people can take it easy sometimes, but most of the time, they can't. In theory, they may take it easy while in practice, they usually take it very seriously; Talking about others, they can take it easy, but to themselves, they take it seriously again. Some people take it seriously for one moment, but may take it easy afterwards, just as we said what is hidden from the concerned is plain to the bystanders. Most people take money too seriously when being involved. In fact, as long as you have enough to eat, what is the difference between a little and a lot?

Everything has a limit, so does money. We should conform to the course of the nature in stead of going out of our way to grasp it. We should spend according to our income. The rich may enjoy much more luxuries but no less worries than the poor. The only difference is the content and form of worries. The higher the income is, the bigger the expenditure is. The world famous boxers may earn millions of dollars for one game, but often find themselves deep in debt. With an annual salary as high as tens of thousands of dollars, the former President of the United States Bill Clinton ran into debts because of lawsuit, and had to throw off his airs to earn money in every mean. However, the monthly income of some of the Chinese families is no more than a few hundred Yuan while leading a life with enjoyment. Happiness doesn't necessarily rely on money.

According to the western fable the Gold Touch, a king was very fond of gold and prayed to God for more gold everyday. To teach him a lesson, God imparted the Gold Touch to him. From then on, whatever he touched turned into gold, including bread, milk, flowers, and even his beloved daughter. He couldn't eat gold, of course, nor could he lose his daughter. In the end, he repented his sin, pleaded God to take the Gold Touch back and went back to his former happy life again. This story is a little exaggerated, but at the same time it told us vividly that wealth and happiness are not synonym. What's more, no matter how much money you have, you can't spend it all.

Wealth itself is neutral, but it acquires a double-attribute because of the difference of its owner. Kind people use it for charities, while wicked people may use it to make guns and cannons for killing. Therefore wealth can be the origin of both good and evil.

God(if he really exists), can you make the kind richer and the evil live in poverty?

Wealth always reminds people of money, land, houses, and cars, etc. which are all material. In fact, wealth has two aspects: material and spiritual. People pay more attention to material wealth, which is tangible and also limited. For example, a cake can be quickly eaten up, and a big sum of money can be spent. However, spiritual wealth is different, since it is intangible and unlimited. For example, a kind of philosophy, concept, spirit, a plan, a strategy, or a innovation is hard to estimate its value. Chairman's Mao's thought had aroused millions of people, and with an overwhelming and irresistible momentum, his strategy of “encircle the city from the country” defeated first the Japanese invaders and then Jiang Kai-shek's army of eight million. Deng Xiaoping's principle of “reform and opening up” led China out of the trap of poverty. The current financial policy and the general plan of “” have kept the Chinese currency RMB from devaluating during the Asian economic crisis and kept our national economy at a 7% growth rate in the unstable macro environment of world-wide economic crisis.

An enterprise can grow bigger and bigger like a snowball, but in the meantime, it can go bankrupt instantly like a deflated balloon, all depending on whether the operating strategy and specific measures are appropriate. Just as the old saying goes: As long as the line is right, the future is bright. Long-term development doesn't depend on good luck. Therefore we believe that spiritually rich is really rich, and spiritual wealth is the biggest wealth. Judging a man, we should see whether he has the wisdom while judging an enterprise, we should see whether its strategies and measures are in accordance with the historical trends. Never trust beautiful illusions like the moon in the water and flowers reflected in a mirror that will not last long. We don't advocate beggarism, so we are not afraid of wealth, but uphold wealth. However, we should acquire wealth in a proper way, and think more about the future. We should not forsake good for the sake of gold, nor should we benefit ourselves at the expenses of others. What we should do is to enjoy our own share at the common wealth of the human beings. Wealth is not absolute. A great man may as rich as owning the whole world, at the same time, he may also as poor as penniless. Therefore, as long as we are not spiritually poor, it is all right even if we are not rich man for the whole life.

Being poor is not because someone is penniless, but mainly because of the lonely misery in his inner world. They are green-eyed, because they are never satisfied with what they have, but are always jealous of people who are successful or who earn higher salaries. They never look at other people's devotions and contributions, but with their habit of jealousy they always feel poor and uncomfortable. It is more difficult to solve internal poverty. Suppose we can look back at the past with the concept of wealth, how can we stay poor? We may well say that wealth lies in your heart and we should know how to treasure it.

 

Translated by Zhang Baodan

June 20, 2004

财富

北京外国语大学北戴河外语培训基地校长 宋远利

一说到财富，人们就会想到金钱，又会想到与钱有关的许多说法和观念。比如：钱能通神。有钱能使鬼推磨。人为财死，鸟为食亡。穷在闹市无人问，富在深山有远亲。人穷志短，马瘦毛长。一分钱难倒英雄汉，等等。

八十年代前，都是国营商店，明码标价，差一分真不卖给你，一分钱也确能难倒个英雄汉。那时有支应运而生的歌曲是：我在马路边，拣到一分钱，交到警察叔叔手里边……。到了现在，一毛钱在地上，经常没有人再留意了。

人们对钱的恭维，表现在许多方面。给公司或商店起名子，经常是：豪门啤酒，富豪酒家，贵族商店，名门饭店等（个人连名字也是金满，万财之类）。过年了，要请财神，画上印满了金元宝。遇到百万富翁过市，明知并不会给自己一分钱，仍会恭恭敬敬地迎送和瞻仰。英国电影《百万英镑》，揭露的淋漓尽致，百万英镑在手，允许赊欠，可以借贷，甚至会送给你钱物。虽然片尾主人公失去百万英镑仍能和女友相好，但如果没有这个百万英镑，他们还是不能结识的。人们很难直接去结交一个叫花子。

《红楼梦》在好了歌里虽然抨击了拜金主义者，说到：“世人都晓神仙好，只有金银忘不了。终朝只恨聚无多，待到多时眼闭了。”但在甄士隐的注释里谈到世态炎凉，人心冷暖，又不得不说：“金满箱，银满箱，转眼乞丐人皆谤。”结论是：没钱还是不行。

人类积几千年的文明，都不能否认钱的作用，说明金钱的确是很重要的。无论对于个人，对于家庭，对于国家或民族，金钱都举足轻重。不然，为什么小至看门人，大至总统都在拼命挣钱？为什么各国政府都要设财经大臣，都要不断地制定和修改财经计划？债权国和债务国是多么的不同？美国所以横行国际，不就是财大气粗吗？你可以人穷志不穷，但穷了有可能挨打。阿富汗虽然赢得了很多同情，但靠施舍过日子是艰难可知的。

古往今来，国际国内，一切腐败的产生，都源于金钱。人不管怎么粗俗，钱不管来路怎样肮脏，都可能去买通、甚至买断一些体面的官僚乃至知识分子。钱的作用还不够大吗？（比如美国的安然公司破产案）

世上也有许多的人或团体，自谓是看破红尘的，当然也应该看轻了钱，如一些教派。但不解的是，他们也在聚钱。或为了重修庙宇，或为了再塑金身，总有个名目。他们不自己生产，只能是由善男信女们捐赠了。有时，捐赠与否和捐赠多少，竟是你诚信度的标志。出家人也在意钱吗？是的。更何况，现在许多僧众已经是带薪修行了。

我们生在一个物质的世界，要否定钱、或说财富的作用是很难的。吃饭要钱、穿衣要钱、上学要钱、看病要钱、住房要钱、坐车要钱，不要钱的地方很少，。我们现在能够讨论的不是钱重不重要，而只是钱万能吗？财富是不是越多越幸福？

我们说，钱不是万能的，它有许多办不了的事。比如秦始皇、还有许多帝王，他们都想长生不老。他们富有天下，他们可以用一切可能的手段去求取长生不老药，但他们都无法摆脱“荒冢一堆草没了”的结局。

许多伟人们患了绝症，尽管可以动用一切医疗手段，他们还是经历着跟常人一样的痛苦，甚至得到与常人们一样的归宿。富人、穷人、伟人、平常人，都来去赤条条。

黄世仁虽有钱，喜儿并不买账，宁愿躲到深山当白毛女。

王宝钏宁住寒窑，也不放弃与薛仁贵的婚姻。

清顺治帝虽富有天下，竟能因一爱妃去世而看空一切、并步入僧门。（传说也无妨）

许多感情的事，是金钱买不动的。梁山伯与祝英台的故事流传千古，正是人们对于这一观点的认同。

很富有的人，也有很多忧虑。怕被偷盗，怕被绑票，有时还要雇保镖。

怕把孩子宠坏，又怕身后遗产分配不均，造成家人不和。

不投资怕贬值，投资了怕破产。哪有那么多快活？

钱多少为够？没有止境。少到一文不名，讨饭吃也可以过活。现在甚至有乞讨成万元户的。多到亿万富翁的，一顿饭也不过三两小菜。碰上个海鲜过敏、鱼肉生腻的人，甚至可能只要两碟咸菜下饭。

对于金钱，人们是又看得开，又看不开。理论上往往看得开，实践又常常看不开。谈别人，看得开；到自己，又看不开。也有当时看不开，事后看得开的。因为当局者迷嘛，事到临头看不开的较多。其实，只要不断了你的炊烟，多点少点又何妨？

万事有个度，钱也一样，不要刻意追求，顺其自然。多了多花，少了少花，一样可以过生活。富人们虽可以花天酒地，但苦恼并不比穷人少，只是苦恼的内容与方式不同。挣大钱的花销也大。世界级拳王，出场费几百万美金，上千万美金，常常是欠债的。美国前总统克林顿，年薪几十万美金，仍然为官司欠债，不得不放下架子去多种渠道挣钱。而我们有些中国人的家庭，月薪几百元人民币，过得有滋有味。幸福不一定钱多。

西方有个寓言，叫点金术。说有个国王嗜金如命，每天都在祈祷上帝给他更多的金子。上帝为了惩戒他，给了他点金术。从此他摸什么什么是金子，面包、牛奶、花朵、乃至他心爱的女儿。他不能吃金子呀，他不能没有女儿呀。他终于忏悔，又祈求上帝收回点金术，回到他原来本就很幸福的生活。这个寓言虽然夸张，但却生动地告诉了我们，财富并不是幸福的同义词 。何况，财富再多，你也花不了多少。

财富本身是中性的，因为拥有的人不同，就具有了两重性。善良的人拥有了，可以去做慈善事业，恶人拥有了，可以打造枪炮去杀人。所以，财富可以成为万善之本，也可以成为万恶之源。

上帝啊（如果有的话）：能不能让善良的人们多一点财富，而让那些心地险恶的人与财富无缘？

讲到财富，人们想到金钱、土地、房屋、车辆等等，但这都是物质的。其实财富包括两方面，即物质财富和精神财富。物质财富人们比较看重，但它是有形的，因而也有限。比如一张饼，可以吃光的。比如一万元，可以花完的。而精神财富则不然，它无形也无限。比如一个主义，一种 观念，一种精神，一个计划，一个战略，一个创新，常常很难估算它的价值。毛泽东的思想，当时发动了千千万万的民众，排山倒海，势如破竹，以农村包围城市的方略，打败了日寇，打败了蒋介石八百万军队。邓小平的一个“改革、开放”方针，让中国甩掉了贫穷。中国现时的积极财政政策和拉动内需的大战略，使我国在亚洲金融危机时能保持人民币不贬值，在世界经济危机起伏动荡的大环境中，能保持国民经济 7 ％的增长率。

一个企业，可以象滚雪球一样，从小到大，也可以象泄了气的皮球一样，瞬间倒闭，全在经营战略和具体措施是否得当。正如俗话所说，路线对了头，一步一层楼。长期发展是不能靠侥幸的。所以我们相信，精神富有是真正的富有，精神财富才是最大的财富。我们看一个 人，要看他有无头脑。看一个企业，要看是否有符合潮流的发展战略和措施。不要相信水中月，镜中花，那是不能长久的。我们不信奉叫花子主义。我们不怕财富，也崇尚财富，但要取之有道，立足长远。不要见利忘义，不要损人利已，而应在人类走向繁荣的大潮中去享有自己的那一股激流。富有不是绝对的。既便是一个非常伟大的人，如毛泽东、孙中山等，虽可以富有天下，也可能一文不名。所以，只要心中不贫穷，不一定一辈子当富翁。

真正的贫寒，不是因为兜里没有钱，主要是内心荒凉。他们集中表现于“红眼”病。他们永不满足自己的所得，而对一切成功者，高薪者心中不平。不看别人的付出，不看别人的贡献，嫉妒成性，因而总觉得自己贫穷，总不舒服。内心贫穷帮扶比较困难。如果我们能够以财富的理念回顾过去，谁能不富有？可不可以说，财富本就在你心中，要珍惜啊 !

 

宋远利

2003/2/12