THE WAY TO GET RICH
“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads to fortune.”
“He that by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive;
For age and want save while you may,
No morning’s sun lasts a whole day;
Get what you can, and what you get, hold,
’Tis a stone that will turn all your lead into gold;
Therefore be ruled by me, I pray,
Save something for a rainy day.”
Remember, that time is money, for he that can earn a dollar a day at his labor, and goes abroad, or sits at home one-half of that day, though he spend but six cents during his diversion or idleness, he ought not to reckon that the only expense; he has really wasted, or rather thrown away, fifty cents besides.
Remember, that credit is money; if a man lets his money lie in my hands after it is due, because he has a good opinion of my credit, he gives me the interest, or so much as I can make of the money during that time; this amounts to a very considerable sum, where a man has large credit and also makes a good use of it.
Remember, that money is of a prolific or multiplying nature; money will produce money, and its offspring will produce more; and so five shillings turned is six, being turned again is seven and three-pence, and so on, till it becomes a hundred pounds; and the more there is of it, the more it will produce on every turning, so that the profits rise quicker and quicker; and he who throws away a crown, destroys all that it might have produced, even some scores of pounds.
Remember, that six pounds a year is a groat a day, for this little sum (which may be daily wasted either in time or expenses unperceived), if a proper use be made of it, he may, on his own security, have the constant possession and use of a hundred and twenty pounds. So much in stock, briskly turned by an industrious man, will always produce the greatest advantage to the tradesman. Remember this proverb, that the good paymaster is lord of another man’s purse, for he who is known to pay punctually and exactly at the time he promises, may, at any time, and on any occasion, raise all the money his friend can spare. This is sometimes of great use; next to industry and frugality nothing can contribute more to the raising of a man in the world than punctuality in all his dealings. Therefore, never keep borrowed money one single hour beyond the time promised, lest the disappointment should shut up your friend’s purse forever, as the most trifling actions that affect a man’s credit ought always to be avoided. The sound of the hammer at five in the morning, or at nine at night, being heard by a creditor, makes him easy six months longer; but if he sees you at a gaming table, or hears your voice in a tavern, when you should be at work, he sends for his money the very next day and demands it before it is convenient for you to pay him. Beware of thinking all your own that you possess and of living accordingly. This is a mistake that many people of credit fall into; but in order to prevent this, always keep an exact account both of your expenses and also of your daily income and profits. For if you will only just take the trouble at first to enumerate particulars, it will discover unto you how wonderfully trifling expenses mount up to a large sum; by which you will also discern what might have been, and also what may for the future be saved without causing any great inconvenience. In short, the way to obtain riches, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to the market, which depends chiefly on two things, viz.: industry and frugality; and take care that you waste neither time nor money, but daily make use of both; if you take care of the hours and days, the weeks, months and years will also take care of themselves. Constant experience proves that any business being first well contrived, is more than half done—for a sleeping fox catches no poultry; there will be sleep enough in the grave, and also, that lost time is seldom found again, for that which we generally call time enough, always proves little enough; for sloth makes things difficult, while industry makes them easy. He that rises late must trot hard all day and shall scarce overtake his business at night—for laziness travels so slow that poverty soon overtakes him. Drive your business, but let not that drive you; for early to bed and early to rise, is the way to become healthy, wealthy and wise. Industry need not wish, while he who lives on a vain hope will die fasting; for we find that there is nothing to be done or accomplished under the sun without labor. He that hath a trade, hath an estate, and he that hath a profession, hath an office and profit with honor; but then the trade must be worked at, and the profession well followed, or they will not enable you to pay rent and taxes. At the working man’s house hunger looks in but dares not enter; for industry pays debts, while despair increases them. Diligence is the mother of good luck; as Solomon saith: “The diligent hand maketh rich, while he that dealeth with a slack hand becometh poor; for God gives all things to industry.” Then plow deep while the sluggards sleep, and you shall have plenty, while others have reason to complain of hard times. Therefore keep working while it is called to-day, for you know not how much you may be hindered to-morrow; and never leave that business to be done to-morrow which you can do to-day; for since you are not sure of a single hour, throw not that away. How many are they who live daily by their wits, and who often break from want of a stock in hand, while industry gives comfort, plenty and respect. Keep your shop well and then your shop will keep you. For it sometimes happens that the eyes of a master will do more work than both his hands, and more especially if his head be any reasonable length; for the want of care doth more damage than the want of knowledge. If you do not overlook your workmen, you may just as well leave them your purse open; the trusting too much to the care of others has completely ruined many a man. If you would be wealthy, think of being careful and saving; for
“Women and wine, game and deceit,
Make the wealth small and the wants great.”
That which maintains one vice, would bring up two children. And if you wish to know the value of money, only just go and try to borrow a little; he that goes borrowing, goes sorrowing, and, indeed, so doth he who lends it unto such people, when he goes to try to get it back again. Pride that dines on vanity, sups on content and often breakfasts with plenty, dines with poverty and sups with infamy, creates envy, and hastens misfortunes; for it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright. Creditors have generally much better memories than debtors, who are also a kind of superstitious set, great observers of set or appointed days and times; so that those have but a short Lent who owe money to be paid at Easter; for expenses are always so constant and certain, that it is much easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel. Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt. Always do unto others as you would wish to be done by, is the first fundamental law of natural justice.
