Advice for Men from the 1850s

"History is a cyclic poem written by Time upon the memories of man." - Percy Bysshe Shelley

Between 1850 and 1860, an article called "Maxims to Guide a Young Man" became very popular and appeared in many newspapers. The guide stated -

• Keep good company or none.
• Never be idle. If your hands cannot be usefully employed, attend to the cultivation of your mind.
• Always speak the truth.
• Make few promises. Live up to all 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 conversation are the very sinews of virtue.
• Good character is above all things else.
• Never listen to loose or infidel 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 speak evil of you, let your life be so virtuous that none will believe him.
• Always speak and act as in the presence of God.
• Drink no kind of intoxicating liquors.
• Ever live (misfortune excepted) within your income.
• When you retire to bed, think over what you have been doing during the day.
• Never speak lightly of religion.
• Make no haste to be rich, if you would prosper.
• Small and steady gains give competency with tranquillity of mind.
• Never play at any game of chance.
• 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 again.
• Never borrow if you can possibly avoid it.
• Do not marry till you are able to support a wife.
• Never speak evil of any one.
• Be just before you are generous.
• Keep yourself innocent, if you would be happy.
• Save when you are young, to spend when you are old.
• Often think of death, and your accountability to God.
• Read over the above maxims at least once a week.

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