Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1888-09-22
Honest Character and Reputation.

Honest Character .ano reputation.
That is a poor kind of morality
that approves of honesty solely be
cause it is the best policy. but moro
people can be reached by appeals
to their natural desire to improve
their condition than by considera-
tions of duty. There is. moreover:
abundant reason to believe that
the old saying is true in spite OF
some apparent exceptions. Hap
piness, and consequently success,
in this world Deepen dis upon other
things beside money gains. Self
respect, an approving conscience,
the good will of neighbors, which
can only come Of honest dealing.
are quite as essential to true hap
piness as the acquisition OF for
tune.
The merchant or mechanic who
establishes such n reputation for
fair dealing that old customers re-
turn tO,him again and again, and
bring new ones with them, who is
so trusted that he receives orders
to be filed at his discretion. may
not for q time make such gains as
his tricky competition, bat'in the
long run he5proyes hysllisy substans;;
tial prosperity Shat honesty is2tlle
best policy. He has, moreover,
what the dishonest man cannot
haye-a free spirit. a self-respect-
ing feeling of independence, that
enables him to go about with head
erect, afraid to meet no man.
The dishonest trickster may in
time become so callous as to show
no sign of the effect upon him aris-.
ing from the distrust and COIL
tempt of his fellow men, but he
cannot conceal from his inner self
his loss Of character, nor fail to
suffer the penalty Of a loss of self
respect Qnile frequently he at
tempts with dishonest gains to buy
the pleasures his conscience will
not afford him.
He lives extravagantly, engages
in expensive forms of amusement,
and to the minimizing may appear
to enjoy all the pleasures of life,
while IN fact he is feyeriShly seek
ing IL happiness forever denied
HIM. AS professional gamblers
die poor, because they spend even
more freely than they get, so dis
honest men in u reputable calling
very frequently aftera short period
of extravaganza living come to
want, because as they increase their
expenses, their opportunities for
gain are cut off by loss Of reputa
ton.
Tins the old fable of the race
between the tortoise and the hare
is being continually illustrated in
the business world. The mechan-
ic or merchant who POUNDS bust
ness upon good principles, OF which |
honest dealing is one, may be tor
toise-like in his movement, but he
has staying powers, and will reach
the end of his journey before his
more active but unscrupulous rival
who stops by the wayside for the
he cannot find within
himself.
q Honesty, however, has broader
meaning than that usually given to
it. 1t does not relate solely to
money transactions, tue charging
VI fair prices, the prompt payment
of bills and the like. Thorough
requires fair dealing in all
the scrupulous full
aIlment of promises, good work,
fair measure, open and above board
notwithstanding, in short,
which goes to make up the charac
ter Of business man entitled to
the fullest trust OF his customers.
The reputation for such honesty
is not to be gained in day, but by
years OF upright conduc5i, and once
fairly gained, it is a mainstay of
1t is partof the bust.
ness capital which suffers no
shrinkage, whatever may be the
Of the money maker. 1t
is an element of true happiness
that may survive the loss of a for
tune, and is, therefore, more to be
than riches themselves.
Yet this character, this reputation
ls within the reach of any man who
determines to he just III his deal
ings.
Fortune comes to the few, char
actey, reputation, self respect, and
The happiness which these bring
with them. ARE not to be had without
labor, 1t is true,' but by any one
who strives to lead all upright and
honorable life.
Young men in particular, who
are naturally under the greatest
temptations to seek easy and
means of advance
ment, would do we'll to consider
these things, and while not seek
ing to be honest as q mere matter
Of policy, determine to establish
for themselves Il character and a
for fairness and up
rlghtness, because such character
is essential to right living, and be
cause without right living there
can be no true happiness nor sue
cess in this world or in the world
to come.