雙語智慧書·求人有術(shù)

235．求人有術(shù)
　　求人有術(shù)。對(duì)某些人來說，沒有什么比這更容易；而對(duì)另外一些人來說，沒有什么比這更困難。有些人不會(huì)拒絕人，你求他們無須運(yùn)用任何技巧；有些人卻慣于在任何時(shí)候第一個(gè)就說"不"字，求這樣的人，就需要高超的技巧，并要選擇恰當(dāng)?shù)臅r(shí)機(jī)。當(dāng)他們興致高昂時(shí)，當(dāng)用餐或娛樂讓他們恢復(fù)精神時(shí)，只要他們的精明沒有預(yù)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?yàn)榭鞓房蓮娜说膬?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?yàn)樽柚拐f"不"的阻力剛被克服。在他人悲傷之時(shí)也不適合提出要求。如果被求之人不是卑劣之徒，預(yù)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.