雙語智慧書·求人有術

235．求人有術
　　求人有術。對某些人來說，沒有什么比這更容易；而對另外一些人來說，沒有什么比這更困難。有些人不會拒絕人，你求他們無須運用任何技巧；有些人卻慣于在任何時候第一個就說"不"字，求這樣的人，就需要高超的技巧，并要選擇恰當?shù)臅r機。當他們興致高昂時，當用餐或娛樂讓他們恢復精神時，只要他們的精明沒有預料到你的狡猾，就可乘其不備地提出要求。快樂的日子就是施惠的日子，因為快樂可從人的內(nèi)心蔓延到身外的世界。如果有人在你前面已被拒絕，那么你再求也無用，因為阻止說"不"的阻力剛被克服。在他人悲傷之時也不適合提出要求。如果被求之人不是卑劣之徒，預先施惠于他就是良策。


235．Know how to ask
　Know how to ask. With some nothing easier; with others nothing so difficult. For there are men who cannot refuse: with them no skill is required. But with others their first word at all times is No; with them great art is required, and with all the propitious moment. Surprise them when in a pleasant mood, when a repast of body or soul has just left them refreshed, if only their shrewdness has not anticipated the cunning of the applicant. The days of joy are the days of favour, for joy overflows from the inner man into the outward creation. It is no use applying when another has been refused, since the objection to a No has just been overcome. Nor is it a good time after sorrow. To oblige a person beforehand is a sure way, unless he is mean.