Do Not Be Above Your Business
Do NOT be above your business, no matter what that calling may be, but strive to be best in that line. He who turns up his nose at his work, quarrels with his bread and butter. He is a poor smith who quarrels with his own sparks. There is no shame about any honest calling. Don’t be afraid of soiling your hands; there is plenty of soap to be had. All trades are good to traders. You cannot get honey if you are afraid of bees, nor plant corn if you are afraid of getting mud on your boots. When we can dig fields with tooth-picks, blow along with fans, and grow plum-cakes in flower-pots, then it will be a nice time for dandies. Above all things avoid laziness. There is plenty to do in this world for every pair of hands placed upon it, and we must so work that the world will be richer because of our having lived in it.