(This is advice to the young men of President James A. Garfield’s time, but can apply to all of us.)
“Make few promises. Always speak the truth. Never speak evil of anyone. Keep good company or none. Live up to your engagements. Never play games of chance. Good character is above everything else. Keep your secrets if you have any. Never borrow if you can possibly help it. Do not marry until you can support a wife. Keep yourself honest if you would be happy. When you speak to a person look into his eyes. Make no haste to be rich if you would prosper. Live within your income. Save when you are young and spend when you are old. Never run into debt unless you can see your way out again. Good company and good conversation are the sinews of virtue. Your character cannot be essentially injured except by your own acts. If anyone speaks evil of you let your life be so that nobody believes him. When you retire at night, think over what you have been during the day. Never be idle.”
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