"Some money is too expensive."

“有些金钱的代价太过昂贵。”

When I got my first grown-up job after college my dad asked me how much money I'd be willing to embezzle¹.

大学毕业后，我得到了成年后的第一份工作，我爸问我愿意贪污多少钱。

My dad was an aerospace² engineer, one of the most straight-edge ethical³ men you can imagine. So I told him the truth, "You raised me to be honest. There is no amount of money that could induce me to steal.

"我爸是个航天工程师，是个你能想象的那种最正直最讲道德的人。所以我告诉了他事实：“你从小教我要诚实。根本就没有什么钱能让我去偷。”

But he wasn't having it. "A thousand dollars?" he asked, "Ten thousand?"

但是他并不接受这个回答。“一千美金？”他问道，“还是一万？”

"Will I get caught?"

“我会被抓吗？”

"No one who embezzles⁴ thinks they will get caught."

“没有哪个贪污的人会认为自己会被抓。”

"Ok, so it would have to be enough to escape the country and get a new identity."

“好吧，那这些钱足够我逃到国外并且获得另一个身份。”

"Which is?" he asked.

“要多少？”他问。

"Fifty million dollars." I said. "If they left fifty million with me and I thought I could get away scout⁵ free, I might take it."

“5000万美金。”我说。“如果他们把5000万给了我，我觉得我可以逃过检查然后拿走它。”

"Excellent," he said. "Now never sell out for a box of pens and a three hole punch. If fifty million dollars is your price, never steal a penny less."

“好，”他说。“现在开始，永远不要为了一盒笔或者一个三孔的打孔机而出卖了自己。如果你要的是5000万美金，那就一分都不能少。”