How Poor Boys Become Successful Men.
You want some good advice. Rise early. Be abstemious. Be
frugal. Attend to your own business and never trust it to
another. Be not afraid to work, and diligently, too, with your
own hands. Treat every one with civility and respect. Good
manners insure success. Accomplish what you undertake. Decide,
then persevere. Diligence and industry overcome all
difficulties. Never be mean—rather give than take the odd
shilling. Never postpone till to-morrow what can be done
to-day. Never anticipate wealth from any source but labor.
Honesty is not only the best policy, but the only policy.
Commence at the first round and keep climbing. Make your word
as good as your bond. Seek knowledge to plan, enterprise to
execute, honesty to govern all. Never overtrade. Never give too
large credit. Time is money. Reckon the hours of the day as so
many dollars, the minutes as so many cents. Make few promises.
Keep your secrets. Live within your income. Sobriety above all
things. Luck is a word that does not apply to a successful man.
Not too much caution—slow but sure is the thing. The
highest monuments are built piece by piece. Step by step we
mount the pyramids. Be bold—be resolute when the clouds
gather, difficulties are surmounted by opposition.
Self-confidence, self-reliance is your capital. Your conscience
the best monitor. Never be over-sanguine, but do not underrate
your own abilities. Don't be discouraged.
Ninety-nine may say no, the
hundredth, yes: take off your coat: roll up your sleeves,
don't be afraid of manual labor! America is large enough for
all—strike out for the west. The best letter of
introduction is your own energy. Lean on yourself when you
walk. Keep good company. Keep out of politics unless you are
sure to win—you are never sure to win, so look out.
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