Sunday, May 31, 2009

How to Succeed in Life by Andrew Carnegie

From The Pittsburg Bulletin, 19 December 1903. Reprinted from the New York Tribune.


Everybody wants to preach to the young, and tell them to be good and they will be happy. I shall not enter far upon that field, but confine myself to presenting from a business man's standpoint of view, a few rules, which, I believe, lie at the root of business success.

First--Never enter a bar-room. Do not drink liquor as a beverage. I will not paint the evil of drunkenness, or the moral crime; but I suggest to you that it is low and common to enter a bar-room, unworthy of any self-respecting man, and sure to fasten upon you a taint which will operate to your disadvantage in life, whether you ever become a drunkard or not.

Second--I wish young men would not use tobacco--not that it is morally wrong, except in so far as it is used in excess and injures health, which the medical faculty declares it does. But the use of tobacco requires young men to withdraw themselves from the society of women to indulge the habit. I think the absence of women from any assembly tends to lower the tone of that assembly. The habit of smoking tends to carry young men into the society of men whom it is not desirable that they should choose as their intimate associates. The practice of chewing tobacco was once common. Now it is considered offensive. I believe the race is soon to take another step forward, and that the coming man is to consider smoking as offensive as chewing was formally considered. As it is practically abandoned now, so I believe smoking will be.

Third--Having entered upon work, continue in that line of work. Fight it out on that line (except in extreme cases), for it matters little what avenue a young man finds first. Success can be attained in any branch of human labor. There is always room at the top in every pursuit. Concentrate all your thought and energy upon the performance of your duties. Put all your eggs into one basket and then watch that basket, do not scatter your shot. The man who is director in a half dozen railroads and three or four manufacturing companies, or who tries at one and the same time to work a farm, a factory, a line of street cars, a political party and a store, rarely amounts to much. He may be concerned in the management of more than one business enterprise, but they should all be of the one kind, which he understands. The great successes of life are made by concentration.

Fourth--Do not think a man has done his full duty when he has performed the work assigned him. A man will never rise if he does only this. Promotion comes from exceptional work. A man must discover where his employer's interests can be served beyond the range of the special work allotted to him; and whenever he sees his employer's interests suffer, or wherever the latter's interests can be promoted, tell him so. Differ from your employers upon what you think his mistakes. You will never make much of a success if you do not learn the needs and opportunities of your own branch much better than your employer can possibly do. You have been told to "obey orders if you break owners." Do no such foolish thing. If your employer starts upon a course which you think will prove injurious, tell him so, protest, give your reasons, and stand to them unless convinced you are wrong. It is the young man who does this, that capital wants for a partner or for a son-in-law.

Fifth--Whatever your wages are, save a little. Live within your means. The heads of stores, farms, banks, lawyers' offices, physicians' offices, insurance companies, mills and factories are not seeking capital; they are seeking brains and business habits. The man who saves a little from his income has given the surest indication of the qualities which every employer is seeking for.

Sixth--Never speculate. Never buy or sell grain or stocks upon a margin. If you have savings, invest them in solid securities, lands or property. The man who gambles upon the exchanges is in the condition of the man who gambles at the gaming table. He rarely, if ever, makes a permanent success. His judgment goes; his faculties are snapped; and his end, as a rule, is nervous prostration after an unworthy and useless life.

Seventh--If you ever enter business for yourself, never indorse for others. It is dishonest. All your resources and all your credit are the sacred property of the men who have trusted you; and until you have surplus cash and owe no man, it is dishonest to give your name as an indorser to others. Give the cash you can spare, if you wish, to help a friend. Your name is too sacred to give.

Do not make riches, but usefulness, your first aim; and let your chief pride be that your daily occupation is in the line of progress and development; that your work, in whatever capacity it may be, is useful work, honestly conducted, and as such ennobling to your life.

To sum up, do not drink, do not smoke, do not indorse, do not speculate. Concentrate, perform more than your prescribed duties; be strictly honest in word and deed. And may all who read these words be just as happy and prosperous and long lived as I wish them all to be. And let this great fact always cheer them: It is impossible for any one to be cheated out of an honorable career unless he cheats himself.

40 comments:

  1. This site definitely has all of the info I wanted about this subject and
    didn't know who to ask.

    Also visit my web page; private krankenversicherung vergleich rechner

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
    I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information.
    Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.


    Stop by my web blog :: Online kredit vergleich

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great site you have got here.. It's difficult to find high quality writing like yours nowadays. I honestly appreciate people like you! Take care!!

    Feel free to surf to my homepage - reseller hosting and dedicated server

    ReplyDelete
  4. I loved as much as you'll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.

    My page; krankenhauszusatzversicherung

    ReplyDelete
  5. If some one wishes to be updated with newest technologies afterward he
    must be pay a visit this site and be up to date daily.

    Feel free to visit my website ... designer outlet onlineshop
    My web site - outlet center online

    ReplyDelete
  6. Good day! This is my first visit to your blog! We are a team of volunteers and
    starting a new initiative in a community in the same niche.
    Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.
    You have done a extraordinary job!

    My webpage: idea for a business

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hello, of course this article is in fact pleasant and I have learned lot of
    things from it concerning blogging. thanks.

    My blog post: clickbank affiliate products

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great blog! Do you have any helpful hints for aspiring writers?
    I'm planning to start my own website soon but I'm a
    little lost on everything. Would you suggest starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go for a paid
    option? There are so many choices out there that I'm totally confused .. Any recommendations? Thank you!

    Visit my site: working from home legit jobs

    ReplyDelete
  9. When someone writes an paragraph he/she retains the image of a user in
    his/her mind that how a user can know it. So that's why this article is great. Thanks!

    My site :: Günstige online kredite

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hi there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and tell you I truly enjoy reading through
    your blog posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that cover
    the same subjects? Appreciate it!

    Stop by my homepage - all inclusive travel deals
    my webpage :: vacation packages all inclusive

    ReplyDelete
  11. Excellent blog you've got here.. It's difficult to find good quality writing like yours
    nowadays. I honestly appreciate people like you!

    Take care!!

    Here is my weblog; web hosting dedicated servers

    ReplyDelete
  12. If some one desires to be updated with newest technologies afterward he must be pay a quick visit this web page and be up
    to date daily.

    Take a look at my site; anwartschaft Private krankenversicherung

    ReplyDelete
  13. Amazing! Its actually awesome post, I have
    got much clear idea on the topic of from this piece of
    writing.

    Here is my blog kredit trozt schufa
    my page > erfahrung kredit ohne schufa

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi there! I know this is kinda off topic however I'd figured I'd ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest
    writing a blog article or vice-versa? My website covers a lot of the same
    subjects as yours and I believe we could greatly benefit from
    each other. If you might be interested feel free to send me an e-mail.
    I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by the way!


    Also visit my blog; search engine Optimisation company Uk

    ReplyDelete
  15. I think this is among the most vital information for me.
    And i am glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The site style is ideal, the articles is really great :
    D. Good job, cheers

    Here is my blog: Best home equity loans Rates

    ReplyDelete
  16. I don't know whether it's just me or if perhaps everybody
    else encountering issues with your website. It appears as though some of the written text in
    your posts are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide
    feedback and let me know if this is happening to them
    as well? This might be a issue with my internet browser because I've had this happen before. Thanks

    Have a look at my homepage - cheap web hosting offers

    ReplyDelete
  17. you are really a excellent webmaster. The site loading velocity is incredible.
    It sort of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick.
    Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you have
    performed a excellent process in this subject!


    Visit my website - testsieger private krankenkasse

    ReplyDelete
  18. I would like to thank you for the efforts you've put in penning this blog. I'm
    hoping to view the same high-grade blog posts by you
    in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to
    get my own site now ;)

    my web page ... top affiliate networks
    Also see my site: clickbank marketplace

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is the right site for anyone who really wants to understand this topic.
    You know a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not that I really would want to…HaHa).

    You certainly put a new spin on a subject which has been written about for decades.
    Excellent stuff, just wonderful!

    Also visit my web site - small home business ideas

    ReplyDelete
  20. This post is invaluable. Where can I find out more?



    Visit my blog ... Private Zusatzversicherung Kinder
    my website - gesetzliche kv vergleich

    ReplyDelete
  21. Normally I don't read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very forced me to check out and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thank you, very great post.

    Feel free to surf to my web blog: beitragsvergleich krankenkassen

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wow, this piece of writing is nice, my younger sister is analyzing these things, so I am going to tell her.


    My web page; best affiliates

    ReplyDelete
  23. Woah! I'm really digging the template/theme of this blog. It's simple,
    yet effective. A lot of times it's very difficult to get that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and appearance. I must say you've done a great job with this.

    In addition, the blog loads super fast for me on Opera.
    Excellent Blog!

    Here is my web page :: beitrag private krankenkasse

    ReplyDelete
  24. I loved as much as you'll receive carried out right here. The sketch is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.

    Stop by my page ... Private Krankenversicherung Vergleich Beamte

    ReplyDelete
  25. I don't even understand how I finished up here, but I believed this post was once great. I do not recognize who you're however
    certainly you are going to a famous blogger in case you are not already.
    Cheers!

    Here is my weblog: private krankenversicherungen test

    ReplyDelete
  26. I'm no longer certain where you are getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thank you for great info I was looking for this information for my mission.

    My web page :: zusatzkrankenversicherung vergleich

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'm no longer certain where you are getting your information, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thank you for great info I was looking for this information for my mission.

    Also visit my blog post: zusatzkrankenversicherung vergleich
    My website: vergleich pkv online

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi there to every body, it's my first go to see of this webpage; this website consists of amazing and really fine stuff designed for readers.

    My blog :: einkommen private krankenversicherung
    Also see my page :: private krankenversicherung hamburg

    ReplyDelete
  29. Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I'd like to follow you if that would be ok. I'm undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look
    forward to new posts.

    My website :: cheap hosting reseller web

    ReplyDelete
  30. You should take part in a contest for one of the best sites on the
    internet. I'm going to recommend this blog!

    Here is my web-site: freiwillig gesetzlich krankenversichert
    Also see my website > pkv tarife

    ReplyDelete
  31. Thanks for ones marvelous posting! I genuinely enjoyed reading it, you're a great author.I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and will eventually come back very soon. I want to encourage continue your great posts, have a nice weekend!

    Also visit my blog post: Learn More

    ReplyDelete
  32. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I'm impressed! Extremely useful info specially the last part :) I care for such information much. I was looking for this particular info for a long time. Thank you and good luck.

    Feel free to visit my web page: kings island vacation packages

    ReplyDelete
  33. My spouse and I stumbled over here by a different page and thought I might as
    well check things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.

    Look forward to finding out about your web page yet again.


    Here is my blog post - top affiliate programs

    ReplyDelete
  34. Hi there! I know this is kind of off-topic but I had to ask.

    Does managing a well-established website such as yours take a large amount of work?
    I'm completely new to blogging but I do write in my diary everyday. I'd like to start
    a blog so I will be able to share my experience and thoughts
    online. Please let me know if you have any ideas or tips for new aspiring bloggers.
    Appreciate it!

    my blog post; Recommended Site

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you really recognise what you are talking about!
    Bookmarked. Kindly additionally visit my web site =).
    We may have a hyperlink alternate agreement between us

    my weblog :: Usuario Discusión:NestorFlo Wiki del PLUG

    ReplyDelete
  36. I have read so many articles or reviews concerning the blogger lovers
    but this piece of writing is actually a fastidious post, keep it up.


    Stop by my page :: 1

    ReplyDelete
  37. Woah! I'm really digging the template/theme of this website. It's simple,
    yet effective. A lot of times it's challenging to get that "perfect balance" between user friendliness and visual appeal. I must say you have done a excellent job with this. Additionally, the blog loads extremely fast for me on Chrome. Exceptional Blog!

    My weblog - profile_bradyxvelynm81e - PPI Homepage

    ReplyDelete
  38. Thanks a bunch for sharing this with all folks
    you actually realize what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked.

    Kindly additionally talk over with my web site =). We
    can have a link alternate arrangement between us

    My webpage: search engine consultants

    ReplyDelete
  39. I'm really enjoying the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues? A couple of my blog audience have complained about my website not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any advice to help fix this issue?

    Also visit my web blog - top seo firm

    ReplyDelete