Courage in Every-Day Life.
“Moral Courage” was printed in large letters and put as the heading of the following items, and placed in a conspicuous place on the door of a systematic merchant in New York for a constant reference:— Have the courage to discharge a debt while you have the money in your pocket. Have the courage to speak your mind when it is necessary that you should do so, and hold your tongue when it is prudent that you should do so. Have the courage to speak to a friend in a “seedy” coat, even though you are in company with a rich one, and richly attired. Have the courage to own you are poor, and thus disarm poverty of its sharpest sting. Have the courage to tell a man why you refuse to credit him. Have the courage to tell a man why you will not lend him money. Have the courage to cut the most agreeable acquaintance you have when you are convinced that he lacks principle; a friend should bear with a friend’s infirmities, but not with his vices. Have the courage to show your respect for honesty, in whatever guise it appears, and your contempt for dishonesty and duplicity by whomsoever exhibited. Have the courage to wear your old clothes until you can pay for new ones. Have the courage to prefer comfort and propriety to fashion, in all things. Have the courage to acknowledge your ignorance, rather than to seek for knowledge under false pretenses. Have the courage, in providing an entertainment for your friends, not to exceed your means. Have the courage to insure the property in your possession, and thereby pay your debts in full. Have the courage to obey your Maker at the risk of being ridiculed by man.