Rules For Living
By James A. Garfield
The following rules were apparently given to James
A. Garfield as a young man by an elderly friend. He cherished
these personal principles to the end of this life. He died in
office as our country's 20th president. He was also a gospel
preacher and elder in the Lord's church.
- Never be idle.
- Make few promises.
- Always speak the truth.
- Live within your income.
- Never speak evil of anyone.
- Keep good company or none.
- Live up to your engagements.
- Never play games of chance.
- Drink no intoxicating drinks.
- Good character is above everything else.
- Keep your own secrets if you have any.
- Never borrow if you can possibly help it.
- Do not marry until you are able to support a wife.
- When you speak to a person, look into his eyes.
- Save when you are young and spend when you are old.
- Never run into debt unless you can see a way out again.
- Good company and good conversation are the sinews of
virtue.
- Your character cannot be essentially injured except by
your own acts.
- If anybody speaks evil of you, let your life be so
that no one believes him.
- When you retire at night think over what you have done
during the day.
- If your hands cannot be employed usefully, attend to
the culture of your mind.
Read the above carefully and thoughtfully at least
once a week.
Can you find a harmonizing Bible verse to go with
each rule? "Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her
voice? I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and
discretion. Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am
understanding, power is mine" (Proverbs 8:1,12,14).
Contributed by Ramona Ashcraft
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