Too Clever to Be Wise Once there was a Scottish accountant. The business had been in the family forToo Clever to Be WiseOnce there was a Scottish accountant. The business had been in the family for generations and generations. Over time, with the cou

Too Clever to Be Wise Once there was a Scottish accountant. The business had been in the family forToo Clever to Be WiseOnce there was a Scottish accountant. The business had been in the family for generations and generations. Over time, with the cou
Too Clever to Be Wise Once there was a Scottish accountant. The business had been in the family for
Too Clever to Be Wise
Once there was a Scottish accountant. The business had been in the family for generations and generations. Over time, with the countless clients that had gone in and out of the office, the marble step in front of the building had developed a big, deep dip in it from all the wear and tear.
The accountant's friends kept telling him that he had better get it replaced, otherwise he'd be sued if anyone ever slipped and fell.
Reluctantly, the accountant called a stonemason to get a quote for the repairs. When the stonemason got there, the accountant demanded a price for a new step.
""Ah, big job,"" said the stonemason, ""But I suppose I could give you a new step for a hundred pounds.""
The accountant was stunned. ""Are you crazy, man? I can't pay you a hundred pounds!"" Thinking about it for a second, he turned to the stonemason and asked, ""What would you charge me to dig up the step and turn it over so that the worn part is in the ground and I'd get a new square step?"" The stonemason hesitated. ""20 pounds.""
""Do it!"" Demanded the accountant. ""And call me when you're done.""
The accountant went back inside to read his books, but after only 15 minutes the stonemason rang the bell. As the accountant opened the door, he saw the stonemason standing there, pointing to a deep dip in the step. The stonemason laughed as he said, ""Your great-great-great granddaddy thought of that a hundred and fifty years ago!"""

Too Clever to Be Wise Once there was a Scottish accountant. The business had been in the family forToo Clever to Be WiseOnce there was a Scottish accountant. The business had been in the family for generations and generations. Over time, with the cou
聪明反被聪明误（没有逐一对照,仅供理解）
从前这儿有个苏格兰的会计,他们家从事这个行业已经有好几代了.时光流逝,由于很多顾客在这家事务所进进出出,事务所前面的大理石台阶已经满布磨损和裂缝.
这个会计的朋友劝他最好换掉台阶,否则他将会被起诉如果有人滑到了.
不情愿的,这个会计叫来一个石匠询问他这次修理的价格.当这个石匠到达这里的时,会计问他换一个新台阶的价格.“呀!（这是个）大问题.”石匠说,“但是我觉得只要一百磅我就能给你一个新的台阶.”
这个会计大吃一惊,“家伙,你疯了吗?我不可能给你一百磅!”想了一会,他对着石匠说“如果把这个台阶翻过来朝上,使旧的一面在地面上然后我能得到一个新的方台阶,你将怎么收费呢?”石匠不情愿的说“20磅.”
“那就这样吧.”会计要求“那你完成的时候叫我（就可以了）."
这个会计转身走进（房间）里面去读书了,但是15分钟后,石匠按了铃.当会计开门的时候,他看见石匠站在那里,指着一个满布裂痕的另一面,石匠大笑着说：“你的曾曾曾祖父早在150年前就想到（这样做）了!”