575.  The way to wealth

“The way to wealth,” says Doctor Franklin, “is as plain as the way to market.”

Many men, however, either miss the way, or stumble and fall on the road.

Fortune, they say, is a fickle dame—­full of her freaks and caprices; who blindly distributes her favours without the slightest discrimination.  So inconsistent, so wavering is she represented, that her most faithful votaries can place no reliance on her promises.

Disappointment, they tell us, is the lot of those who make offerings to her shrine.  Now, all this is a vile slander upon the dear blind lady.

Although wealth often appears the result of mere accident, or a fortunate concurrence of favourable circumstances, without any exertion of skill or foresight, yet every man of sound health and unimpaired mind may become wealthy, if he takes the proper steps.

Foremost in the list of requisites, are honesty and strict integrity in every transaction of life.  Let a man have the reputation of being fair and upright in his dealings, and he will possess the confidence of all who know him.

Without these qualities, every other merit will prove unavailing.  Ask concerning a man, “Is he active and capable?” Yes.  “Industrious, temperate, and regular in his habits?” O Yes.  “Is he honest? is he trustworthy?” Why, as to that, I am sorry to say that he is not to be trusted; he wants watching; he is a little tricky, and will take an undue advantage, if he can.

“Then I will have nothing to do with him:”  will be the invariable reply.

Next, let us consider the advantages of a cautious circumspection in our intercourse with the world.  Slowness of belief, and a proper distrust are essential to success.

The credulous and confiding are ever the dupes of knaves and impostors.  Ask those who have lost their property how it happened, and you will find in most cases it has been owing to misplaced confidence.

One has lost by endorsing; another by crediting; another by false representatives; all of which a little more foresight and a little more distrust would have prevented.

In the affairs of this world, men are not saved by faith, but by the want of it.

Judge men by what they do, not by what they say.  Believe in looks rather than in words.

Before trusting a man, before putting it in his power to cause you a loss, possess yourself of every available information relative to him.

Learn his history, his habits, inclinations and propensities; his reputation for honesty, industry, frugality, and punctuality; his prospects, resources, supports, advantages and disadvantages; his intentions and motives of action; who are his friends and enemies, and what are his good and bad qualities.

You may learn a man’s good qualities and advantages from his friends—­his bad qualities and disadvantages from his enemies.  Make due allowance for exaggeration in both.