The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-09-18

Advice 70 . Yo..s B.si.ess Ma,
The following sdvice 10 business men
By Jchn Grigg. Esq. . retired boohsellc
of Philadelphia, whe. from N orphan fal
mer boy. attained success and sninsnss b
his power ofinspiring confidence in ~ sin
cerisy. honesty and ability. The JoasDal
in introducing the advice 70 iss sslunns,say
cit can hardly be surpassed SoE eesss com
lprehensiveness and value. sA
I. Be industrious and eoeaOmical.-
Waste neiaher time nor money u suaN ans
young can be Induced to begia to sove, the
moment they enter on the paths Of lisA the
way will ever become easier before them.
and they VII not fail to atsein . eompetcn-
fcy, and that without denying themselves
any Of the real necessariss aud comforts Of
life. Our people are certainly among the
most improvidens and extravigant on tho
face of the earth. II is enough 10 make the
merchsns Of the old school. who looks back
and thinks what economy. prudence aad dis.
cretion. he had to bring to bear on hin own
business (and which are in fact the bases OF
all successful enterprise.) start back in
astonishment to look n the ruthless waste
and extravigancs of tho ago and people
/, The highest test Of responsibility with mo
is honest industry. Well directed industry
makes men happy. The really noble class.
the class that was noble when adam del.
we'd and Eve spun," and have preserved
their patient to this day untsrnished. is the
laborious and Industrious. Until mon have
learned industry. economy and slf-oontroi.
they cannot be safely entrusted with wealth.
g. To industry and economy add self.
H. oh e,N III
The business man must keep the helm and
steer his own ship. In early life every one
should be taught to think for himsslf A
mans talents are never brought out until he
is thrown to some extent upon his own 70.
sources. II in every difficulty he has only to
run to his principal. and then implicitly obey
the directions he may receive, he will new
er acquire that aptitude Of perception, that
lpromptness of decision, and that 6rmuess
of purpose which are absolutely necessary
to those who hold important stations. A
certain degree of independent feeling is es-
sential to the full development Of the intel.
lectual character.
3. Remember that punctuality 10 tho
mother of confidence. II is not enough
that the, me reliant fulflls his engagements;
he must do what he undertakes precisely
at the time. as well as in the way he agreed
to. The mutual dependence Of merchants
is so great that their engagements. like .
chain, which according to the law of physics
is never stronger than its weakest link, are
ofsencr broken through the weakness of
others than their own. But prompt full
filment Of engagements is not only Of the
utmost Importance, because il enables others
to meet their own engagements promptly;
it is also the best evidence that the merch-
has ~ ell n
at command, his forces marshalled, and :.
"every thing ready for action" in short,
that he knows his own strength. This it 10
which inspires confidence. as much ~ the
meeting Of engagements.
4. Attend to the minuts OF business,
small things as we'll rs great See that the
store is opened early. goods brushed up,
.wine and nails picked up. and AZ rsaay 3o.
hnsinAae. young man should CONSIDER
capital, il he has it. or as he may acquire H.
NEARLY as tools with which he is to work,
not as a substitute for the necessity oflabor.
1t is often the case that diligence in employ
men's of less consequence is the most sue
cessful introduction to great enterprises.
Those make the best officers who have ser
we'd in the ranks. We may say of labor, ~
CoIeridge said Of poetry, il is it's own sweet.
est reward. 1t is the best Of physic.
selfshness is the meanest Of vices. and is the
parent Of a thousand more. II not only in
terferes with the means and with the end of
acq usition-not only makes money moro diff
Gcult to get. and not worth having when it
is got, but it is narrowing to the mind aud
to the heart. Selfshness "keeps shilling
so close to the eye that it cannot see Z dol
lar beyond" Never be narrow and con-
trscted in your views. Life abounds in
instances OF the brilliant results Of gensS-
Gus policy.
Be frank. Say what you mean. Do
what you say. So shall your friends know
and take for granted that you mean 70 do
what is ust and right.
6. Accustom yourself to think vigorously.
Mental. like pecuniary capital. to be WORT
any thing must be we'll mvested-must be
rightly adjusted and applied, and to this
end. careful. deep and intense sbought 10
necessary if great results are looked for.
7. Marry early. The man Of business
should marry as soon as possible, after
twenty-five or twenty three years Of age. A .
woman Of mind will conform 70 the neces.
sites of the day OF small beginnings, and in
choosing a wife . man should look at--lst,
the heart; Cd, the mind; Sd, the person.
s. Every yshing, howeves remote. thss has
any bearing upon success, must bs taken
Of. The business man should be
continually on the watch for information. and
ideas that will throw light on his path. and
he should be an attentive reader Of all prao.
tical business, trade, &c.. - well - patron
Of useful and ennobling literature.
Q. Never forget favor. for ingratitude u
the basest trait Of mans heart. Always
honor your country, and semembes that ous
country is tho very best poor mans country
10 the world.