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Something To Live By
Something to Live By
When James A. Garfield (20th President of the United States and member of the church) was a young man, a printed slip was given him by an aged friend, which he carefully cherished to the end of his life. It read:
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
Drink no intoxicating drinks
Good character is above everything else
Keep your secrets, if you have any
Never borrow, if you can possible help it
Do not marry, until you are able to 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 see a 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 anybody speaks evil of you, let your life be so that no one believes him
When you tire at night, think over what you have been doing during the day
Never be idle
If your hands can’t be employed usefully, attend to the culture of your mind
