Enquire within upon everything

2597. Habits of a Man of Business. A sacred regard to the principles of justice forms the basis of every transaction, and regulates the conduct of the upright man of business. The following statements afford a bird's-eye view, as it were, of his habits, practice, and mode of procedure: i. He is strict in keeping his engagements. ii. He does nothing carelessly or in a hurry. iii. He employs nobody to do what he can easily do himself. iv. He keeps everything in its proper place. v. He leaves nothing undone that ought to be done, and which circumstances permit him to do. vi. He keeps his designs and business from the view of others. vii. He is prompt and decisive with his customers, and does not over-trade his capital. viii. He prefers short credits to long ones; and cash to credit at all times, either in buying or selling; and small profits in credit cases with little risk, to the chance of better gains with more hazard. ix. He is clear and explicit in all his bargains. x. He leaves nothing of consequence to memory which he can and ought to commit to writing. xi. He keeps copies of all his important letters which he sends away, and has every letter, invoice, &c., belonging to his business, titled, classed, and put away. xii. He never suffers his desk to be confused by many papers lying upon it. xiii. He is always at the head of his business, well knowing that if he leaves it, it will leave him.