Author:

Orison Swett Marden

Publisher:

Thomas Y. Crowell & Company

Year Published:

1901

Number of Pages:

66

Number of Chapters:

One

Sub-Title:

The Self-Denying Depositor And Prudent Paymaster At The Bank Of Thrift

When John W. McNalty, known as 'Coal-Oil johnny,' became suddenly rich, he was young and ignorant of business laws, and spent his money recklessly. He would buy a buggy and horses, and hire a man to drive for him; then, at the end of his ride, he would present the vehicle and the horses to the astonished driver.

Such things soon made him poor again, and he had to work for his daily bread. His life had found its true level once more, like a river temporarily swollen by a sudden flood, which quickly subsides and keeps between its proper banks. Sooner or later, given good health and freedom from accidents, all men, or at least all families, gravitate to their natural financial level. They become wealthy and remain so only when and so long as they are fit to do so, according to the world's standard of fitness.

The pressure of poverty or the desire to become independent induces industry and frugality, which in turn creates wealth; then abundance conduces to liberality, and the hoarded treasures are surely scattered, whether slowly or swiftly.

The old adage is usually true, that 'it is but three generations from shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves,' and, even in the exceptional cases, the transition is measured by four or five generation only, at most.

'It is easy to spend, but hard to keep money,' says a modern economist. 'Happiness is dependent upon the science of getting what one wants, or must have, out of what he receives, and preserving a margin, be it ever so small. For those who are secure in a regular income, such as many persons can obtain, this problem is sufficiently difficult, on account of the numberless contingencies, temptations, and demands over which on can exercise no foresight or control.

For those who have no regular income the problem becomes one of almost impossible solution. It is said that humanity, considered as a whole, always lives within one year of starvation. It's certainly true that most households could easily lay aside an entire years income without experiencing great hardship and struggle."

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