True Riches

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. · Aug 1, 1912

A WRITER in the Outlook describes a ride he once took with an old farmer in a New England village, during which some of the men of the neighborhood came under criticism.

Speaking of one prominent man, I asked, "Is he a man of means?"

"Well, sir," the farmer replied, "he hasn't much money, but he's mighty rich."

"Has he a great deal of land, then?" I asked.

"No, sir, he hasn't much land, either, but he's mighty rich."

The old farmer, with a pleased smile, observed my puzzled look for a moment, and then explained:—

"You see, he hasn't much money, and he hasn't much land, but still he is rich, because he never went to bed owing a man a cent in his life. He lives as well as he wants to live, and he pays as he goes; he doesn't owe anything, and he isn't afraid of anybody; he tells every man the truth, and does his duty by himself, his family, and his neighbors; his word is as good as his bond, and every man, woman, and child in town looks up to him and respects him. No, sir, he hasn't much land, but he's a mighty rich man, because he has all he wants."

— World's Crisis.