Maxims for a Young Man

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 12, 1856

Maxims for a Young Man.

NEVER be idle. If your hands cannot be usefully employed attend to the cultivation of your mind.

Always speak the truth.

Keep good company or none.

Make few promises.

Live up to your engagements.

Have no very intimate friends.

Keep your own secrets if you have any.

When you speak to a person look him in the face.

Good company and good conversation are the very sinews of virtue.

Good character is above all things else.

Never listen to loose or idle conversation.

You had better be poisoned in your blood than in your principles.

Your character cannot be essentially injured except by your own acts.

If any one speaks evil of you let your life be so virtuous that none will believe him.

Drink no intoxicating liquors.

Ever live, misfortune excepted, within your income.

When you retire to bed think over what you have done during the day.

Never speak lightly of religion.

Never play at any kind of game.

Avoid temptation through fear that you may not withstand it.

Earn your money before you spend it.

Never run into debt unless you see a way to get out.

Never borrow if you can possibly avoid it.

Be just before you are generous.

Keep yourself innocent if you would be happy.

Never think what you do for religion is time or money misspent.

Read some portion of the Bible every day.