“早则备舟，雨则备车，以待乏也。” Pinyin: Zǎo zé bèi zhōu, yǔ zé bèi chē, yǐ dài fá yě.Translation: “Prepare boats in droughts, carts in rains—anticipate scarcity.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Reiterates proactive investment against future needs.
“生财有大道，生之者众，食之者寡。” Pinyin: Shēng cái yǒu dà dào, shēng zhī zhě zhòng, shí zhī zhě guǎ.Translation: “Wealth thrives when producers are many, consumers few.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Balances productivity with frugal resource management.
“无息币，无敢居贵。” Pinyin: Wú xī bì, wú gǎn jū guì.Translation: “Avoid hoarding currency; never cling to inflated prices.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Warns against greed-driven stagnation.
“察天时，量地利，则财用足。” Pinyin: Chá tiān shí, liàng dì lì, zé cái yòng zú.Translation: “Observe celestial cycles, measure earthly benefits—wealth follows.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Integrates natural observation into economic planning.
“逐利而居，因势而变。” Pinyin: Zhú lì ér jū, yīn shì ér biàn.Translation: “Pursue profit where it flows; adapt to shifting trends.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Flexibility as a core principle of commerce.
“人弃我取，人取我与。” Pinyin: Rén qì wǒ qǔ, rén qǔ wǒ yǔ.Translation: “Acquire what others discard; supply what others seek.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Classic contrarian strategy for market dominance.
“论其有余不足，则知贵贱。” Pinyin: Lùn qí yǒu yú bù zú, zé zhī guì jiàn.Translation: “Assess surplus and scarcity to discern value.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Links price fluctuations to supply-demand dynamics.
“积著之理，务完物，无息币。” Pinyin: Jī zhe zhī lǐ, wù wán wù, wú xī bì.Translation: “To accumulate wealth: perfect goods, avoid idle currency.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Emphasizes quality and active capital deployment.
“与时逐而不责于人。” Pinyin: Yǔ shí zhú ér bù zé yú rén.Translation: “Compete with time, not blame others.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Focuses on mastering timing over externalizing failures.
“财币欲其行如流水。” Pinyin: Cái bì yù qí xíng rú liú shuǐ.Translation: “Let wealth flow like water, never stagnant.”Source: 《史记·货殖列传》 (Shǐ Jì · Huò Zhí Liè Zhuàn, Records of the Grand Historian: Biographies of the Money-makers)Explanation: Prioritizes liquidity and dynamic capital circulation.
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