I do not choose to be a common person. 我有权选择不做一个平庸的人。
It is my right to be uncommon—if I can. 我会尽我所能成为杰出的人。
I seek opportunity—not security. 我寻找机会,不寻求安稳,
I do not wish to be a kept citizen, 我不希望成为一名有保障的国民,
humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. 那将被人瞧不起。
I want to take the calculated risk, 我要做有意义的冒险。
to dream and to build, 我要梦想,我要创造,
to fail and to succeed. 经历失败,走向成功。
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole; 我渴望奖励,拒绝施舍。
I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; 我要有挑战的人生,而不是有保障的生存;
the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of Utopia. 我要实现目标时的亢奋,而不是陈腐而不真实的平静。
I will not trade my freedom for beneficence 我不会拿我的自由换取任何捐赠,
nor my dignity for a handout. 也不会拿我的尊严换取任何施舍。
I will never cower before any master 我决不会在任何权威面前发抖,
nor bend to any threat. 也不会为任何恐吓所屈服。
It is my heritage to stand erect, proud, and unafraid; 我的天性是挺胸直立,骄傲,而无所畏惧。
to think and act for myself; 我会为我的梦想去思考,去行动;
to enjoy the benefit of my creations; 享受我的创造带来的回报;
and to face the world boldly 终有一天,我可以自豪地向世界宣告:
and say: “在上帝的帮助下,我做到了。”
"This, with God's help, I have done."
—Entrepreneur's Credo of the American
这段话并不是托马斯·潘恩的名言,而是由美国政治家Dean Alfange所写的一篇励志短文修改而来。《企业家杂志》将其修改后作为了其杂志的信条.