Dear Reader,
亲爱的读者：
It feels strange for me to write these words, as I committed many years ago to never write forewords.
对我而言，写下这些文字颇感怪异，毕竟多年前我就已承诺绝不为他人作序。
I’m making a rare exception in this case for three reasons. First, a free version of this book is being offered to the world in a digital/Kindle/eBook format with no strings attached. Second, I’ve known Naval for more than a decade and have long wanted someone to compile this book. Third, I’m increasing the likelihood of Naval’s next child being named “Tim” (I’ll settle for “Timbo,” if he prefers).
在这件事上，我破例有三个原因。其一，这本书的数字版/Kindle 版/电子书版将免费向全球发布，没有任何附加条件。其二，我认识纳瓦尔超过十年了，一直盼着有人能把这本书整理出来。其三，我这么做，能提高纳瓦尔给下一个孩子取名叫“蒂姆”的概率（要是他乐意，叫“廷博”也行）。
Naval is one of the smartest people I’ve ever met, and he’s also one of the most courageous. Not in the “run into the fire without thinking twice” sense, but in the “think twice and then tell everyone they’re focusing on the wrong fire” sense. He is rarely part of any consensus, and the uniqueness of his life, lifestyle, family dynamics, and startup successes is a reflection of conscious choices he’s made to do things differently.
纳瓦尔是我见过最睿智且勇敢的人之一。他的勇敢，并非“不假思索冲入火海”，而是“深思熟虑后，直言众人看错了火情”。他鲜少从众，其独特的人生轨迹、生活方式、家庭关系与创业成就，皆源于他有意做出的独特选择。
He can be as blunt as a foot to the face, but that’s part of what I love and respect about him: you never have to guess what Naval is thinking. I’ve never had to guess how he’s feeling about me, someone else, or a situation. This is a huge relief in a world of double-talk and ambiguity.
他说话可能直来直去，毫不委婉，但这正是我欣赏和敬重他的一点：你永远不用去揣测纳瓦尔在想什么。我从不用猜测他对我、对他人，或是对某件事的看法。在这个充斥着虚与委蛇和含糊其辞的世界里，这着实令人感到轻松。
We’ve shared a lot of meals, shared a lot of deals, and hopped around the world together. That’s all to say that, while I consider myself a good people-watcher, I consider myself an excellent Naval-watcher. He is one of the people I call most for advice, and I’ve watched him in many habitats through many seasons: easy times, hard times, recessions, booms—you name it.
我们一同享用过无数美食，参与过诸多交易，还携手环游世界。这么讲吧，虽说我自认为善于观察他人，但我觉得自己对纳瓦尔的观察堪称一绝。他是我最常寻求建议的对象之一，我见证了他在各种环境与时期的表现：顺境、逆境、经济衰退、繁荣昌盛——不一而足。
Sure, he’s the CEO and a co-founder of AngelList. Sure, he previously co-founded Vast.com and Epinions, which went public as part of Shopping.com. Sure, he’s an angel investor and has invested in many mega successes, including Twitter, Uber, Yammer, and OpenDNS, to name but a few.
没错，他是 AngelList 的首席执行官兼联合创始人。此前，他还参与创办了 Vast.com 和 Epinions，后者并入 Shopping.com 后成功上市。此外，作为天使投资人，他投资的众多项目都大获成功，比如推特（Twitter）、优步（Uber）、Yammer 和 OpenDNS 等。
That’s all great, of course, and it shows Naval is a world-class operator instead of an armchair philosopher.
当然，这一切都非常出色，这说明纳瓦尔是个世界级的实干家，而非只会空谈的哲学家。
But I don’t take his perspectives, maxims, and thoughts seriously because of the business stuff. There are lots of miserable “successful” people out there. Be careful about modeling those, as you will get all the bathwater with the baby.
但我不会只因商业成就，就盲目看重他的观点、格言和想法。世上有不少痛苦的“成功人士”。效仿他们时务必谨慎，以免好坏不分，全盘接受。
I take Naval seriously because he:
我认真看待纳瓦尔，原因在于他：
That last one is important.
最后这一点很重要。
This book will give you a good taste of what that cocktail of bullets looks like in Naval’s head.
这本书能让你真切体会到，纳瓦尔脑子里那一连串点子是什么样的。
So, pay attention…but don’t simply parrot his words. Follow his advice…but only if it holds up after scrutiny and stress-testing in your own life. Consider everything…but take nothing as gospel. Naval would want you to challenge him, as long as you bring your A-game.
所以，要留心……但别只是照搬他的话。听取他的建议……前提是在你自己的生活中经过审视与压力测试后依然可行。对一切都加以思考……但别把任何事都当作绝对真理。只要你全力以赴，纳瓦尔会希望你向他提出质疑。
Naval has changed my life for the better, and if you approach the following pages like a friendly but highly competent sparring partner, he might just change yours.
纳瓦尔让我的生活变得更美好了。倘若你把接下来的篇章视为一位友善且能力卓越的陪练，说不定他也能改变你的生活。
Keep your hands up and your mind open.
举起双手，敞开思维。
Pura Vida,
纯粹生活
Tim Ferriss
蒂姆·费里斯
Austin, Texas
得克萨斯州奥斯汀市