《股票作手回忆录·第十二章·棉花惨败·被专家说服》第10节
“And is that really Morgan’s signature?” I asked him, about three minutes late with my skepticism. “Sure! He learned how to write his name when he was a boy.” “And that’s all there is to it?” “That’s all,” he answered. “I know exactly what I am doing. That’s all the secret there is. I am much obliged to you. Good day, Mr. Livingston.” And he started to go out. “Hold on,” I said. “I’m bound to have you make an even two hundred dollars out of me.” And I handed him thirty-five dollars. He shook his head. Then: “No,” he said. “I can’t do that. But I can do this!” And he took the contract from his pocket, tore it in two and gave me the pieces. I counted two hundred dollars and held the money before him, but he again shook his head. “Isn’t that what you meant?” I said. “No.” “Then, why did you tear up the contract?” “Because you did not whine, but took it as I would have taken it myself had I been in your place.” “But I offered you the two hundred dollars of my own accord,” I said. “I know; but money isn’t everything.”
注释摘要
推销员与利文斯顿的这段对话，表面上是关于一份价值五百美元的沃尔特·司各特作品集合同，实质上却是一场极富戏剧性的人格较量，也是本章核心主题——独立判断如何被强大的人格力量瓦解——的一个精巧预演。在华尔街的语境里，卖书给投机客本就是个充满讽刺意味的插曲：一个连午餐都顾不上吃、生怕错过纸带行情的人，却在下班后被一个推销员轻易说服，买下一整套他根本不需要的精装书。…