The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-10-20
RUNNING IN DEBT.

There is nothing more fatal to the
prosperity Of an energetic, working
man than running 10 debt. Nothing
more sure to bring down pecuniary mis-
fortune and distress upon his household
than this all prevailing yet ruinous prnc'
tlcc. What makes the matter stil more
aggravaling is the fact, that in most in.
stances the expenditures are wholly un.
necessary and could easily be avoided.
The fact is, if person sees no means Of
paying for thing, he should 60 without
it until be does; If he has not the where.
with TO buy him a new suit, let him wear
the od one, rusty and worn though it be;
il his income will not permit him to vie
with his neighbor in the spacousness
and elegance Of his mansion, and equip.
age, let him 10 content in his humber
home, and rejoice that he has thus much
Of this worlds goods,
The only safe rule is to live within
your means-tho people Of our present
age have sadly departed from the worthy
example Of their noble sres in thus run.
ming wild in folly and extravagancc.--
Fortunes that have bccen acquired by
long days works and strict economy, are
TOO apt to be quickly squandercd by
prodigal iuheritors--and the hard earn.
ings Of life timo are run through in a
few months or years by sons and daugh.
tcrs, who perhaps know nothing of the
many hours Of toll and hard thinking, by
which they have been garncred up
Others, who have no means thus left them
wishing to vie with those who have, trust
TO tho Gcklo goddess. Fortune and e e
they are aware find themselves shackIed
with debts and membranes from which
they can never hope to be free, and dis.
appointed and discouraged they give up
the battle as lost, while yet in the very
vigor of life. The only sure method Of
success, is TO pay as you go-ani keep
out Of debt.
The great prime cause Of so much
over reaching and prodigaIjty, IS false
pride, and desire TO "keep up appear.
ances. This is a kind Of pride which
never elevates its possessor; it robs man
Of all that independence and courage
which combine to form perfect charac.
ter--t is mean, poor spirited and low;
the sure mark of a little, narrow, and
feeble mind. The man or woman who is
willing to sacrifice so much to external
appearances is evidently a great slave to
public opinion. True, they may affect a
great contempt for what the world says
yet they do in reality estimate liz opn.
ions very highly, else why so much anxi
ETY. to equal or excel others? Whence
that rostlos desire distinction, that pas.
sion for display, which inlame the heart
and occupy their whole attention? Why
are they so willing TO bring down incvi-
table ruin upon themselves, by running
in debt for that which the state of their
finances forbds their induIgng in? 1t is
simply because they ley so much stress
upon appearances, tits because they deem
display the sure introduction to success
and Distinction, This is false notion,
as foolish as it is ruinous; and whoever
INDUCES in it, betrays "A weakness some.
where, He lacks thc elements of an in.
dependent character. WhoeverwouId be
successful in building up fortune
whoever would avoid some of the worst
pccuniafy calamitcs which can bclal
man whoever would live unshackled
and indcponden!-let him beware Of run,
ming in debt.