Amazon创始人Jeff今年在Princeton Univ.做了题为 what matters more than your talents 的毕业演讲,我从网上看了两遍,觉得内容很深刻。他提到了他祖父对他说的一句对他产生影响的话: One day you will realize that its harder to be kind than to be clever. Cleverness is a gift, kindness is a choice . 我同样认为这句话对我或我们极为有价值。 链接: http://www.ted.com/talks/jeff_bezos_gifts_vs_choices.html (youtube链接) 他提出一系列问题(我试着根据我的理解意译,或与原意有差别): 1. How will you use your gifts ? What choices will you make? 你会如何使用你的聪明才智?你会做什么样的选择? 2. Will inertia be your guide or will you follow your passions ? 你会随波逐流,或是追随你的激情? 3. Will you follow dogma or will you be original ? 你会循规蹈矩,或是勇于创造? 4. Will you choose a life of ease or a life of service and adventure ? 你会选择安逸的人生,或是奉献和冒险的人生? 5. Will you wilt under criticism or will you follow your convictions ? 你会屈从批评,或是坚信自己的想法? 6. Will you bluff it out when you are wrong or will you apologize ? 你会掩饰自己的错误,或是道歉? 7. Will you guard your heart against rejection or will you act when you fall in love ? 你会为不被拒绝而封锁内心,或是为爱而行动? 8. Will you play it safe or will you be a little bit swashbuckling ? 你会稳妥第一,或是来点刺激? 9. When its tough, will you give up or will you be relentless ? 你会畏难而退却,或是不屈不挠? 10. Will you be a cynic or will you be a builder ? 你会愤世嫉俗,或是积极建设? 11. Will you be clever at the expense of others or will you be kind ? 你会把自己的成绩和表现建立在他人之上,或是善待他人? 这些问题,或许同样值得我们思考,并选择。我记起我们的古语:聪明反被聪明误,机关算尽太聪明,反误卿卿性命等,其中深意谁人曾思索并践行呢? 中国人太聪明,而数千年来难以摆脱落后贫困和纷争,是否和太聪明而不懂或不当应用自己的聪明才智有关呢?