The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1871-08-01
Letter to Farmers' Boys.
From the Country Gentleman. !

From the Country Gentleman.l
BUSINESS QUAIL ATIONs.
"Idleness is the sepulchre of man"
"The diligent soul shall be made fat"
Honesty is the best policy"
"The prudent man inberiteth riches"
"Oharity should join hands Herewith"
My DEAR BoYs-It is Helps |
think who has said that "frst rate
business men are rarer than great
poets Another author tells Us
that "to be successful man Of bust
ness requires special aptitude, promp-
titude, of action in emergencies,
capacity for organizing the labors Of
ten of large numbers of men, great
tact and knowledge of human nature,
constant self culture, and a growing
experience in the practical affairs Of
life" And yet there are many boys
and men who think if they have a
smattering of arithmetic and book
keeping, and some slight acquain-
lance with the work which they have
chosen, that this is sufficient to in
sure success.
In my former letters [ have touch
ed upon three things which should
be the groundwork and superstruc-
ture of a business character, viz:
good habits, good principles and a
good education. You can build
broad and strong and high upon such
foundation. Do not imagine that
success stands by the sluggard's
couch, or lies along the noxious path
of dishonesty. In the long run you
will not be prospered by disobedience
to the laws of either God or man.
Believe this, and settle it forever with
your future, that "honesty is the best
policy" Do not be anxious to ad-
vance yourself by entering the lists
as a competitor for an unlawful
prize. God and the universe are
pledged against you if you do, and
you will reap disaster, shame and
ruin in the end.
l must also remind you that good
principles are not sufficient alone
you must build good habits upon these,
such as diligence, energy;prOmptness,
dispatch, thoroughness, neatness, at
tention to little things, accuracy and
economy, both of time and money.
If you wish to possess tact and self
possession in emergencies, which as
sail the best of business men, shun
the wine cup as you would deadly
poison-you want cool head and
steady hand-and every other prac-
tice in secret or public, which tends
to weaken your self-respect, self
control and strength of purpose. As
to education, if you cannot get it in
schools, get it by yourself, as l have
told you before, from reading, con-
versatiOn and every appliance within
your reach-alWays selecting those
branches which bear most upon your
proposed work. Be good student
of human nature; study faces, pecu-
liarities and motives. 1t will turn to
your account amazingly. You should
also acquire the polish of good breed
ing. If you feel above that sort Of
thing, recollect that, for the want Of
it, quite likely somebody will feel
above you when you would like his
help, influence Of trade. Many
man has lost a first rate customer,
and perhaps a friend, or failed in an
important bargain, for want of lit.
I tie suaVity, or what the French call
pohtesse dW eour (pOliteness of. the
heart.) Be careful, then, in the lit
tie matter of etiquette.
Industry and prudence are large
stepping stones toward success. If
you are idle and Wasteful, you can
not expect to prosper. The good
book says, "Seest thou a man dill
gent in his business ? He shall stand