第 18 条 · 负数小于零

Since negative numbers may be considered as debts, because positive numbers represent real possessions, we may say that negative numbers are less than nothing.

既然正数表示真实拥有的财产，负数可以看作债务，那么我们可以说负数小于零。

Thus, when a man has nothing of his own, and owes 50 crowns, it is certain that he has 50 crowns less than nothing.

因此，当一个人自己什么也没有，却欠 50 克朗时，他确实比零还少 50 克朗。

For if any one were to make him a present of 50 crowns to pay his debts, he would still be only at the point nothing, though really richer than before.

因为如果有人给他 50 克朗来还债，他仍然只是回到零点，虽然确实比以前富了一些。