這本書是約翰·D·洛克菲勒寫給他兒子小約翰·D·洛克菲勒的私人信件,內容深刻揭示了洛克菲勒家族經營智慧與人生哲理的核心秘訣,也揭開了家族長盛不衰、創造並維持巨大財富的秘方。透過30封信,這位美國史上第一位億萬富翁以簡潔有力的文字,道出了他一生累積的寶貴智慧與成功之道。
約翰·戴維森·洛克菲勒(John Davison Rockefeller)是美國標準石油公司(Standard Oil)的創辦人,曾在巔峰時期壟斷全美約90%的石油市場。由於標準石油規模過於龐大,最終被以違反反托拉斯法拆分為34家公司。然而,這並未削弱洛克菲勒的財富與影響力,反而為他帶來更多分散式的經濟資本,使其成為人類歷史上首位億萬富豪。
洛克菲勒家族至今仍然是全球最具影響力的家族之一,而這些信件不僅記錄了約翰·D·洛克菲勒對兒子的教誨,也傳遞了關於財富管理、誠信、競爭、勤奮、奉獻與價值觀的永恆智慧,為後人提供了不可多得的啟發與借鑒。
"The value of life is not in its length but in how we use that time."
2.生命帶給人的滿足並不取決於它的長短,而是取決於人的意志。
"The fulfillment life brings does not depend on its duration but on one's willpower."
3.世界上沒有一個人可以重新活過,所以必須珍惜現在的每一分鐘。
"No one in this world can live their life again, so we must cherish every minute we have now."
4.選擇職業是人生做出嚴肅決定的時刻,但不要有太大壓力,因為這也是最激動人心的時刻,相信你可以跨越所有障礙,成為你想要成為的人!
"Choosing a career is a serious decision in life, but don't feel too pressured, as it is also an exciting moment. Believe that you can overcome all obstacles and become who you want to be!"
5.若想在商業上駕輕就熟,應該與相關職業的人進行交談,且必須選擇人生觀不偏不倚的人。
"To become proficient in business, you should talk to professionals in the field and choose to associate with those who have a balanced outlook on life."
6.要珍惜離開書本的時間,做什麼事情都要事先制定計畫,在選擇的職業範圍內,盡量增加一些實際的工作經驗。
"Value the time away from books by planning your activities in advance and gaining as much practical experience as possible within your chosen career field."
7.不要把學習內容局限於商業經營的專門課程,應該要拓寬視野、培養明察世間一切的智慧,掌握那間可以成為優秀管理人員的課程。
"Don't limit your studies to specialized business courses. Broaden your horizons, cultivate wisdom about the world, and acquire knowledge essential to becoming an outstanding manager."
8.金錢是我們生存的核心,但卻不是最重要的,與使生活有意義的道德觀念毫不相關。
"Money is central to our survival, but it is not the most important thing and has no connection to the moral values that make life meaningful."
9.分享財富不是揮霍金錢尋求刺激,而是用錢去幫助他人做有意義的事,而不計較回報。
"Sharing wealth is not about splurging for excitement but about using money to help others do meaningful things without expecting a return."
10.金錢是流動的、虛無的,生不帶來死不帶去,若認為錢財只能增多不能減少就是和呼吸、來去這些自然規律唱反調。
"Money is fluid and ephemeral; you can neither bring it into life nor take it in death. To think wealth can only increase and never decrease goes against the natural order of things, like breathing in and out."
11.任何成功者都是從小人物做起的。任何年輕人都渴望出人頭地,但這需要一個過程。
"Every successful person starts as a nobody. Every young person dreams of standing out, but this requires a process."
12.工作中包含發現自己的機會,只有不斷地發現自己才能提升自己,才能為自己累積經驗一步步邁向成功。
"Work offers opportunities for self-discovery. Only by continually finding yourself can you improve and accumulate experience, step by step, toward success."
13.做小人物並不可悲,可悲的是沒有從小人物做起的勇氣。
"It's not sad to be a small figure; what's sad is the lack of courage to start small."
14.為了成功,必須不斷地學習,這是企業界的第一原則。累積的知識越多,成功的希望才會越大。
"To succeed, constant learning is a must—the first principle of business. The more knowledge you accumulate, the greater your chances of success."
15.每一本書、每一個人、每件事都是學校,社會是最好的學校。
"Every book, person, and event is a school, and society is the best school."
16.閱讀可以經歷不同的人生,並更珍惜及有效合理的運用上帝所給予我們的時間。
"Reading allows you to experience different lives and to better appreciate and wisely use the time God has given us."
17.身為領導者,他的任務不是把偉大加諸於人,而是要去發揚這種偉大,因為偉大早已存在。
"As a leader, the task is not to impose greatness on others but to cultivate and reveal it, for greatness already exists within."
18.競爭促使企業去思考,誰想得最好或最有創造力,誰就贏得競爭。
"Competition drives businesses to think. Those who think best or most creatively win the competition."
19.在商界生存最重要的一點是誠信。
"Integrity is the most crucial factor for survival in the business world."
20.靠背叛或詐欺得利的人,不可能長久的混下去,因為在企業界裡傳得最快的消息,就是欺詐和違反道德的醜聞。
"Those who profit through betrayal or fraud won't last long, as scandals about deceit and immorality spread the fastest in the business world."
21.要去賺錢,光明磊落地賺,然後明智的花出去。
"Earn money honestly and spend it wisely."
22.成為奉獻者,將永遠不會感到孤獨。
"To be a giver is to never feel alone."
23.好的合作夥伴是成功的一半,錯誤的夥伴可能比沒有夥伴更糟。
"A good partner is half the success; a bad one can be worse than none at all."
24.通往成功的道路上有許多誘惑的停車站,要盡力抵制誘惑,誘惑通常看起來像每注必贏的賭注,但必然伴隨著失敗。
"The road to success has many tempting stops; resist these temptations. They often appear as sure-win bets but inevitably lead to failure."
"I was early taught to work as well as play,
My life has been one long, happy holiday;
Full of work and full of play,I dropped the worry on the way,And God was good to me everyday."
我從小就被教導既要娛樂也要工作,
我的人生就是一個悠長,愉快的假期;
全力工作,盡情玩樂,我在旅途上放下了一切憂愁,而上帝每天都善待著我。
這是洛克菲勒逝世前留下的最後一首詩用以總結他的人生。意義深長,值得細品。
以上是《洛克菲勒寫給兒子的三十封信》的部分節錄,推薦讀者可以去閱讀本書,感受的會更加深刻!!