Fortune, they say, is a fickle dame - full of her freaks and caprices, who blindly distribute her favors without the slightest discrimination. So inconsistent and so wavering is she represented that her most faithful votaries can place no reliance on her promises. And it is also said that disappointment is the lot of those who make sacrificial offerings (of time, resource, money etc.) and now all of it were like a vile slander upon a blind lady.
Although wealth often appears as the result of mere accident or a fortunate occurrence of favorable circumstances, without any exertion of skill or foresight, yet still, everyman of sound health and an unimpaired mind may become wealthy, if he takes the proper steps.
Foremost in the list of requisites are honesty strict integrity in every transaction of life, let a man have a reputation of being fair and straight forward in all his dealings whatsoever, he will gain the confidence of all who knows him. Without these qualities, every other merit will prove worthless and unavailing. Ask concerning a man “is he active and capable?” Yes. “Is he industrious, temperate, and regular in his habits?” O Yes. “Is he honest? Is he trusts worthy?” well, as to that, I'm sorry to say that he is not to be trusted, he is a little tricky, and will take an undue advantage, if he can. “Then I will have absolutely nothing to do with this guy”. I bet you this would be the invariable reply from any serious minded person who finds himself in such a context.
Next, we consider the advantages of cautious circumstances in our intercourse with the world. Slowness to belief and a proper distrust are essential to success in life. The credulous and confiding are often the dupes of knaves and imposters. Ask those who have lost their properties how it happened, and you will find in most cases it has being owing to misplaced confidence and trust. One has lost by endorsing, another by crediting, and another by false representatives. All of which a little more foresight and a little more distrust would have prevented. In the affairs of this world, men are not saved by faith, but by the want of it. Judge men by what they do, not by what they say. Believe in looks rather than in words.
Before trusting a man, before putting it in his power to cause you a loss, posses yourself of every available information relative to him. His history, his habits, inclinations and propensities. His reputation for honesty, industry, frugality, and punctuality; his prospects, resources, supports, advantages and disadvantages; his intentions and motives of action; possibly who are his friends and enemies; and what are his good and bad qualities must all be learned. You may learn a man's good qualities and advantages from his friends, and his bad qualities and disadvantages from his enemies. Make due allowances for exaggerations in both cases.
Finally, examine very carefully before engaging in anything, and act with energy afterward. Have the hundred eyes of the Argus before hand and the hundred hands of Briarius afterward.
