(17)
condemns as oppreſſive, injurious, or in any other reſpect diſhonourable. Remember, my dear ſon, the world itſelf cannot offer you a prize which would not be too dearly purchaſed at the expence of your honour and integrity. My next advice, with reſpect to buſineſs is, Truſt for ſuccess more in your ſkill, induſtry, honeſty, and punctuality, than in any arts of addreſs, or any ingenious management, which may promiſe to give you an advantage over your rivals. An obliging address, and graceful manners, have doubtless a conſiderable effect in winning the attention, and engaging the affections of men, and therefore ought by no means to be neglected; but after all, the world is commonly too wiſe, at leaſt where intereſt is concerned, to be impoſed upon by mere external ſhow, and nothing will fix and ſecure their favour, but that ſolid merit on which they can ſafely rely. Make yourſelf thoroughly maſter of your employment; be diligent and aſſiduous in buſiness; be faithful and punctual to your engagements; be regular and exact in all your tranſactions, and it will be ſcarcely poſſible you ſhould not ſucceed. One further caution I ſhall add on this head, which is, Neither be too much afraid of offending others, nor ſtoop to flattery and meanness to gain their favour. Theſe are methods of thriving, neither very virtuous, nor very prudent.
