How Poor Boys Become Successful Men

  • You want some good advice.
  • Rise early.
  • Be abstemious.
  • Be frugal.
  • Attend to your own business and never trust it to another.
  • Be not afraid to work, and diligently, too, with your own hands.
  • Treat every one with civility and respect.
  • Good manners insure success.
  • Accomplish what you undertake.
  • Decide, then persevere.
  • Diligence and industry overcome all difficulties.
  • Never be mean-rather give than take the odd shilling.
  • Never postpone till tomorrow what can be done today.
  • Never anticipate wealth from any source but labor.
  • Honesty is not only the best policy, but the only policy.
  • Commence at the first round and keep climbing.
  • Make your word as good as your bond.
  • Seek knowledge to plan, enterprise to execute, honesty to govern all.
  • Never overtrade.
  • Never give too large credit.
  • Time is money.
  • Reckon the hours of the day as so many dollars, the minutes as so many cents.
  • Make few promises.
  • Keep your secrets.
  • Live within your income.
  • Sobriety above all things.
  • Luck is a word that does not apply to a successful man.
  • Not too much caution-slow but sure is the thing.
  • The highest monuments are built piece by piece.
  • Step by step we mount the pyramids.
  • Be bold-be resolute when the clouds gather, difficulties are surmounted by opposition.
  • Self-confidence, self-reliance is your capital.
  • Your conscience the best monitor.
  • Never be over-sanguine, but do not underrate your own abilities.
  • Don't be discouraged.
  • Ninty-nine may say no, the hundreth, yes: take off your coat: roll up your sleeves, don't be afraid of manual labor! America is large enough for all-strike out for the west.
  • The best letter of introduction is your own energy.
  • Lean on yourself when you walk.
  • Keep good company.
  • Keep out of politics unless you are sure to win - you are never sure to win, so look out.