Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-01-30
LORD LYTTON ON THE MANAGE.
MENT OF MONEY.

From Blackwood's Magazine.
In work of fiction once wrote this sen
tence, which may perhaps be found, if con
sidered, suggestive of some practical truths
"Money is character"
In the humber grades of life, certainly
character is money. The man who give:
me his labor in return for the wages which
his labor is worth, pledges to me something
moro than his lsbor-he pledges me certain
qualities Of his moral being-such as hon.
esty, sObriety and diligence. II, in the Sc re-
spsc5s, be maintsin his character, be will
have my money as long as l want his labor:
and when l want his labor no longer. his
character is moneys worth to him from
somebody else. If, in addition to the moral
qualities | have already named, he establish
q character for other attributes which have
their own price in the money markat-if
he exhibit superior intelligence, skill. en-
ergy, zeal-his labor rises in value. Thus.
in the humblest class of life character is
money; and, according as the man earns or
spends the money, money in turn becomes
character.
AS moneyis the most evident power in
the wcrld's uses, so the use that he makes
Of money is often all that the world knows
abor man. Is our money gained Justly
and pent prudently? our character estab-
fishes claim on respect. Is il gained no
bly, and spent benehcently? our character
commands more reSpect-it wins a place in
that higher sphere of opinion which com
prlses admiration, gratitude, love. Is
money, inherited without merit of ours.
lavished reckleSsly away? our character dis
perses itself with the spray of the golden
shoWer-it is not the money aloneoF which
we are spendthrifts. Is money, meanly ac-
quired, selflshly boarded; it is not the money
alone Of which we are misers; we are star
wing our own human hearts-depriving
them Of their own natural aliment fn the
approval and affection Of others. We in
vest the money which we fancy so safe out
a. compound interest, in the very worst
possession man can purchase, viz: an
Odlous reputation. In fact the more we
look around, the more we shall come to the
knowledge that there is no test of a mans
character more generally adopted than the
way in which his money is managed.
Money is terrible blab; she will betray the
secrets of her owner whatever he does TO
gag her. His virtues will creep out in her
whisper-his vices she will cry out at the
top of her tongue.
But the management Of money Is an art
True, but that which we call an art means
an Improvement and not deterioration, of
: som9thlng existing already in nature, and
tae srtlst Can only succeed in improving
u art IN proportion as he improves him
SET in The qualities which the art demands
In the artist. Now, the management of
IN lney, is IN much, the management ofself
Ii Heaven allotted to each man seven guar
clan agels, five Of them, at least. wouId be
lowering over his pockets.
On the hrst rule of the art of managing
money all preceptors must be agreed. If
is told in three words-"Horror of debit -
Nurse, cherish, never cayiI away the
wholesome horror of debt. Personal Iih- |
cry is The paramount essential To human |
happiness. Man hsZ lrds the condition.
sud Eses the virtues of freeman, in
pryP5r on as be accustoms his
IL ugGts to view, Without anguish |
and shame, his lapse into the bondage |
OF debtor. Debt is to the man what the |
serpent is TO the bird; its eye fascinates, its |
breath poisons, its coil crushes sinew and |
bone; lis jaw is the pitiless grave. If you |
mock my Illustration, if you sneer at the |
Truth II embooies, give yourself no further |
trouble TO learn how to manage your mon |
ey. Consider yourself doomed; PISS on |
your way with jaunty step; the path is |
ilche-pltbs to Avernus always are. But
u, while L write, your heart true to the
instincts Of manhood, responds to my |
Words-t you say "Agreed; that which you !
caIl the hrst rule for the management of
money, held Yet more imperative as the
necessity tf freedom and the lifespring of
problty advance on your way, as
,ured that wherever il winds Il Inust a.
rend. You see but the temple of Honor;
:. Sc behind is the temple of Fortune. You
viii pass through the one to the other ]