The love of money is the root of all evil.贪财为万恶之源。
这条谚语有人把它简化为Money is the root of all evil,其实是不对的,因为金钱或财富本身并不构成罪恶,只有贪财才会造成罪恶。这里love不应译作“爱”,“爱”是中性的,应译作“贪”,“贪”才是贬义的。
此谚语出自《圣经·新约》,部分原文是:“For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
有关指责贪财的谚语还有:
He that serves God for money will serve the devil for better wages.
为金钱侍奉上帝的人,也会为更多的酬报去侍奉魔鬼。
Avarice blinds our eyes.
贪财使人盲目。
avarice的意思就是love of money。因为“贪财”,就会盲目辨不清是非,失去理智,中文有“利欲熏心”、“利令智昏”等成语;还可发展到不顾国法,即“贪赃枉法”;甚至会连自己的生命也不顾,即“贪夫徇财”。这都说明了“贪财为万恶之源。”
而且贪财是没有止境的,这可参阅另一条谚语:Much would have more.