尊敬的各位领导、各位来宾、各位EMBA教授、同学们：
多谢大家常称赞我是一个成功的企业家，对于这些支持、鼓励，我内心是感激的。
很多时传媒访问我，都会问及如何可以做一个成功的商人，其实我很害怕被人这样定位。我首先是一个人，再而是一个商人。每个人一生中都要扮演着很多不同的角色；也许最关键的成功方法就是寻找得到导航人生的坐标。没有原则的人会飘流不定，正确的坐标可让我们在保持真我的同时，亦能扮演不同的角色，挥洒自如；在不同的岗位上拥有不同程度上的成就，就活得更快乐更精彩。
不知从那时开始，「士农工商」这样的社会等级概念，深深扎根在中国人传统思想内。几千年来，从政治家到学者，在评价「商」的同时几乎都异口同声带着贬意。他们负面看待商人经济的推动力，在制度上各种有欠公允的法令历代层出不穷，把司马迁《货殖列传》所说从商人士「各任其能，竭其力以得所欲」、资源互通有无、理性客观的风险意识、资本运作技巧、生生不息的创意贡献等等正面的评价，曲解为唯利是图的表征，贬为「无商不奸」，或是「熙熙攘攘，都是为利而来，为利而往」的唯利主义者。
当然，在「商」的行列里，也确实不乏满脑袋只知道赚钱，甚至在道德上有所亏欠亦在所不惜，干出恶劣行为的人。他们伤害到企业本身及整个行业的形象。亦有一些企业只懂钻营于道德标准和法律尺度中寻找灰色地带。更多商人却知道今天商业社会的进步不仅要靠个人勇气，勤奋和坚持，更重要的是建立社群所需要的诚实、慷慨，从而创造出一个更公平、更公正的社会。
范蠡与富兰克林
从小我就很喜欢听故事，从别人的生活可以有所领悟。当然，这不只限于名人或历史人物，我们周遭的各人各事言行举止，常常会带来发，在商言商，有些时候，更会带来巨利的机会。洛克菲勒（Rockefeller）与擦鞋童的故事相信大家都知道：当一九二九年华尔街股市崩溃前，一个街边擦鞋童替洛克菲勒擦鞋时，给予他一项炒卖股票的所谓秘密消息，当时洛克菲勒领悟到当擦鞋童亦参与股票市场时，便可能是应该离场的时候，他随即将股票兑现，此举令他得以保存财富。
范蠡一句：「飞鸟尽，良弓藏；狡兔死，走狗烹。」 成了他传世的主轴，说尽了当时社会制度的缺憾。范蠡是太史公司马迁所撰的《史记‧货殖列传》中所记载的第一位货殖专家，他曾拜计然为师，研习治国治军方略，博学多才，有「圣贤之明」，是春秋时代著名的政治家。他不仅工于谋略，还有渊博及系统化的经济思想，而且他本人亦凭借其经济智慧赢得了巨大的财富。老实说，现代经济学很多供求机制的理论，我国历史中也有记载。范蠡「积着之理」目的是务求货物完好，没有滞留的货币和资金，容易变坏的货物不要久藏，切忌冒险囤居以求高价。研究商品过剩或短缺的情况，就会懂得物价涨跌的道理。物价贵到极点，就会返归于贱；物价贱到极点，就会返归于贵。当货物贵到极点时，要及时卖出，视同粪土；当货物贱到极点时，要及时购进，视同珠宝；货物、钱币的流通周转要如同流水那样生生不息。
范蠡的「计然之术」，还试图从物质世界出发，探索经济活动水平起落波动的根据；其「待乏」原则则阐明了如何预计需求变化并做出反应。他主张平价出售粮食，并平抑调整其它物价，使关卡税收和市场供应都不缺乏，才是治国之道，更提出了国家积极调控经济的方略。
「知道要打仗，就要做好战备；要了解货物，就要明白何时出现需求」，「旱时，要备船以待涝；涝时，要备车以待旱。」强调人们不仅要尊重客观规律，而且要运用和把握客观规律，应用在变化万千的经济现象之中。
我觉得范蠡一生可算无憾，有文种这等知心相重的知交；有西施可共渡艰难，共渡辰光的伴侣，最重要的是有智慧守护终生。我相信他是快乐的，因为他清楚知道在不同时候，自己要担当什么角色，而且都这么出色，这么诚恳有节。勾践败国，范蠡侍于身后，不被夫差力邀招揽所动。
范蠡助勾践复国后，又看透时局， 离越赴齐，变名更姓为夷子皮。他与儿子们耕作于海边，由于经营有方，没有多久，产业竟然达数十万钱。
齐国人见范蠡贤明，欲委以大任。范蠡卻相信「久受尊名，終不是什好事」。于是，他散其家财，分给亲友乡邻，然后怀带少数财物，离开齐到了陶，再次变易姓名，自称为陶朱公。
他继续从商，每日买贱卖贵，没过多久，又积聚资财巨万，成了富翁。
范蠡老死于陶。一生三次迁徙，皆有英名。
书中没有记载范蠡终归是否无憾。我们的中国心有很多包袱，自我概念未能完善发展。范蠡没有日记，没有回忆录；只有他行动的记录，故无法分析他的心态。他历尽艰辛协助勾践复国，又看透勾践不仁不义的性格，他建立制度，却又害怕制度；他雄才伟略，但又厌倦社会的争辩和无理；他成就伟大，却深刻体会到世间上最强最有杀伤力的情绪是妒忌，范蠡为什么会有如此消极的抗拒？(不参与本身就是一种抗拒)
说完我国著名历史人物范蠡，我想谈一谈一个美国的伟人。
来自另一个世界的本杰明‧富兰克林（BENJAMIN FRANKLIN）在他墓碑上只简单刻上「富兰克林，印刷工人」。他是个哲学家、政治家、外交家、作家、科学家、商家，发明家和音乐家，闻名于世，像他这样在各方面都展现卓越才能的人是少见的。
富兰克林一七○六年生于波士顿，家境清贫，没有接受全面完整的科学理论教育，他一直努力弥补这一遗憾，完全是靠自学获得了广泛的知识。他十二岁当印刷学徒，一七三○年接办宾州公报，期间，他《可怜李察的日记》一纸风行，成为除圣经外最畅销的书。富兰克林在美国费城从事印刷事业，刊行历书，出版报纸，为政府印刷纸币，实业上获得了很大成功。富兰克林超越年龄的智慧，对别人的关心，健全的思维，富于美德的生活方式，以及他对公共事业的热心和能力很快赢得了当地居民的信任。后来，居民们推举富兰克林担任该地区许多重要职务。他曾经立下志愿，凡是对公众有益的事情，不管多么困难，都要努力承担。自一七四八年始，他开展了不同的公共项目，包括建立图书馆、学校、医院等等。
富兰克林是一个很积极的人，通过出版，他不断吸收学习，通过科研来满足他对自然的好奇。做好事、做好人是驱动富兰克林终生的核心思想，他极希望自己做的每一件事，均有益于社会，或有用于社会，身体力行为后人谋取幸福。
他名成利就后不忘帮助年轻人找到自己增值的方法，在他「给一个年轻商人的忠告」（Advice to a Young Tradesman）文章内他很实际的名句「Time is money，credit is money」，将时间和诚信作为钱能生钱（Money begets money）可量化的投资，在「财富之路」（The Way to Wealth）一文内， 富兰克林清楚简单地说明， 勤奋、小心、俭朴、稳健是致富之核心态度。勤奋为他带来财富，俭朴让他保存产业。富兰克林十三个人生信条他都写得简明扼要，生动活泼，很受当时人们的欢迎，节制、缄默、秩序、决心、节俭、勤勉、真诚、正义、中庸、清洁、平静、贞节、谦逊几乎全可作为年轻人的座右铭。
在美国独立战争期间，他曾出使法国，争取法国的支持。他的杰出工作，赢得了法国人民对美国人民的同情与支持，为独立战争的胜利作出了贡献。直到八十三岁高龄，他才辞去一切公务。制宪会议一开始，德高望重的富兰克林就表现出了一个政治家的博大胸怀。一七八七年五月二十五日那天，宾夕法尼亚（Pennsylvania）代表团提议由华盛顿担任大会主席，并得到了一致同意。虽然那天富兰克林因故没有出席，可是提名华盛顿将军的，却是富兰克林本人。后来当上美国总统的麦迪逊在他的笔记里写道：「这项提名来自宾夕法尼亚，实为一种特殊礼遇，因为富兰克林博士一直被认为是唯一可与华盛顿竞争的人。」此时的富兰克林已经八十一岁。虽然年事已高，富兰克林坚持留给制宪会议的绝非是名誉高位，而是胸襟、智慧和爱国精神。
一七九○年，这位为教育，科学、为公务献出了自己一生的人，平静地与世长辞。他获得了很高的荣誉，美国人民称他为「伟大的公民」，历代世人都给予他很高的评价。
人类历史碑上永远会铭刻着富兰克林的名字。
范蠡和富兰克林，两个不同的人，不同时代，不同文化背景，放在一起说好像互不相干，然而他们的故事值得大家深思。范蠡改变自己迁就社会，而富兰克林推动社会的变迁。他们在人生某个阶段都扮演过相同的角色，但他们设定人生的坐标完全不同。范蠡只想过他自己的日子，富兰克林利用他的智慧、能力和奉献精神建立未来的社会。就如他们从商所得，虽然一样毫不吝啬馈赠别人，但方法成果却有天渊之别；范蠡赠给邻居，富林克林用于建造社会能力（Capacity building），推动人们更有远见、能力、动力和冲劲。有能力的人可以为社会服务，有奉献心的人才可以带动社会进步。
今天的中国人是幸运的，我们经历着中国历史从来未见的制度工程，努力建设持续开放及法治的社会，拥抱经济动力和健康自我概念的发展，尽管未尽完善，亦不必像范蠡一样受制于当时社会价值观，只能以「无我」为外衣，追求「自我」，今日我们可以像富兰克林建立自我，追求无我。在今天，停滞的思想模式已变得不合时宜，这不是要弃旧立新，采取二元对立、非黑即白的思维，而是要鼓励传的更生力，使中国文化更适用于层次多元的世界。在全球化的今天，我们要懂得比较历史，观察现在和梦想未来。从商的人，应更积极、更努力、更自律，建立公平公正，有道德感，自重和守法精神的社会，才可为稳定、自由的原则赋予真正的意义。尽管没有外在要求，我们要愿意利用我们的智慧和勇气，为自己、企业和社会创造财富和机会，各适其适。最近我阅到一段故事《三等车票》，在印度一位善心的富孀，临终遗愿要将她的金钱，留给同村的贫困小孩分批搭乘三等火车，让他们有机会见识自己的国家，增长知识之余，更可体会世界的转变和希望。「栽种思想，成就行为；栽种行为，成就习惯；栽种习惯，成就性格；栽种性格，成就命运。」这不知道是谁说的话，但我觉得适用于个人和国家。
我最近常常对人说，我有了第三个儿子，朋友们听说后都一脸不好意思的恭喜我。我是很高兴，我不仅爱他，我的儿子也将爱他，我的孙儿也将爱他。我的基金会就是我第三个儿子。过去的六十多年，沧海桑田，但我始终坚持最重要的核心价值：公平、正直、真诚、同情心，凭仗努力和蒙上天的眷顾，循正途争取到一定的成就，我相信，我已创立的一定能继续发扬；我希望，财富的能力可有系统地发挥。我们要同心协力，积极、真心、决心，在这个世上散播最好的种子，并肩建立一个较平等及富有同情心的社会，亦为经济、教育及医疗作出贡献；希望大家抱着慷慨宽容的胸怀，打造奉献的文化，实现我们人生最有意义的目标，为我们心爱的民族和人类创造繁荣和幸福。
谢谢大家。
The Art of Giving
Thank you all for recognizing me as a successful businessman. I appreciate your support and encouragement.
One of the questions I am often asked by the media is how to be a successful businessman. The truth is I don’t like to be typecast. I consider myself to be a man first, and then a businessman. Everyone plays different roles in life. Perhaps the key to success is to identify your moral and intellectual coordinates. A life without principles is a life without direction. The right coordinates enable us to take on different roles while staying true to ourselves. You’ll lead a much more satisfying and enriching life if you can achieve success in different capacities.
For millennia, the Chinese have considered merchants and traders to be the lowest among the social classes, behind mandarins, farmers and laborers, in that order. The Chinese historian Sima Qian made a strong case for merchants, saying that they served society by distributing resources, managing risks and using capital efficiently. But his pioneering ideas were sometimes misinterpreted, which led to the belief that all merchants were profiteers.
The unfortunate fact is that there are many business people prepared to sacrifice their moral integrity for the bottom line. Their conduct is damaging to their industry and to society. There are still others who make their profits in murky grey areas. However, most business people understand that social progress requires courage, hard work and perseverance; more importantly, they know that a fair and equitable society is built on trust and integrity.
Fan Li and Benjamin Franklin
I’ve loved stories since I was a child. Of course, this is not limited to stories about famous or historical figures. Stories are happening all around us, and they are often the source of inspiration, and sometimes, enormous profit. I believe most of you know about Rockefeller and the shoeshine boy. In 1929, just before the Wall Street crash, Rockefeller was getting his shoes shined when he received a stock tip from the shoeshine boy. Rockefeller realized that if even a shoeshine boy is playing the market, then the market was ripe for a fall. Rockefeller then sold his shareholdings and was able to hold on to his wealth.
Fan Li was a senior official in the State of Yue in Ancient China during the Spring and Autumn period (770-480 B.C.) who helped the Emperor Guo Jian restore his kingdom. Having outlived his usefulness to the new emperor, Fan Li feared for his life and decided to give up his fame and riches to live in seclusion for the remainder of his life. After changing his name, he became a successful merchant and amassed another fortune, which he promptly gave away again for fear of jealousy. This cycle of accumulation and distribution of wealth was repeated several times.
The great American Benjamin Franklin was truly a Renaissance Man. He was a philosopher, politician, diplomat, author, scientist, businessman, and a musician. But on his gravestone are simply the words “Benjamin Franklin. Printer.”
Benjamin Franklin was born in 1706 in Boston Massachusetts. Franklin’s formal schooling ended early, but his education continued through self-learning. Young Ben Franklin loved to read and by age 12, he was apprenticed to his brother who was a printer. In 1730 Franklin bought the Pennsylvania Gazette. Poor Richard’s Almanack, published by Franklin under the pseudonym Richard Saunders, became the best-selling book next to the Bible. Franklin was wise beyond his age, and his dedication to community work quickly won him the public’s trust. From 1748 onwards, he launched a number of civic projects, including a library, schools, and hospitals. After gaining widespread fame, Franklin continued to find ways to help young people add value through his prolific writings.
Fan Li and Benjamin Franklin were different people from different worlds. But the stories of their lives are worth pondering. Fan changed himself to fit society, and Franklin pioneered changes in society. They played different roles during different times, but their coordinates were vastly different. Fan only wanted to live out the rest of his days in peace, but Franklin used his intellectual capability to illuminate and create a humane and bountiful society. Fan gave his riches to his neighbors, but Franklin used his for capacity building. People who are capable can serve society, and people who have a giving heart can push social progress.
I’ve been telling my friends recently that I have a third son, and they inevitably offer their congratulations with some embarrassment. I love my third son, my two sons love him, and so will my grandchildren. My third son is my Foundation. During my long career spanning over 60 years, I have stayed true to my core values, which are fairness, integrity, honesty, compassion and to achieve success through honest means. I believe that what I have built will continue to grow. I hope that my wealth can be used systematically to benefit others. We have to act concerted to sow good seeds and to build a fair and compassionate society, making contributions to the economy, education and healthcare. I hope that everyone can work together to nurture a culture of giving to create a brighter and more prosperous future for our beloved country and for mankind. Thank you.
