There is no branch of legitimate business for which the Bible does not afford an essential preparation. Its principles of diligence, honesty, thrift, temperance, and purity are the secret of true success. These principles, as set forth in the book of Proverbs, constitute a treasury of practical wisdom. Where can the merchant, the artisan, the director of men in any department of business, find better maxims for himself or for his employees than are found in these words of the wise man:
(Ed 135.1)
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“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”Proverbs 22:29.
(Ed 135.2)
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“In all labor there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury.”Proverbs 14:23.
(Ed 135.3)
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“The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing.”“The drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”Proverbs 13:4; 23:21.
(Ed 135.4)
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“A talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.”Proverbs 20:19.
(Ed 135.5)
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“He that hath knowledge spareth his words;” but “every fool will be meddling.”Proverbs 17:27; 20:3.
(Ed 135.6)
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“Go not in the way of evil men;”“can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?”Proverbs 4:14; 6:28.
(Ed 136.1)
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The whole circle of our obligation to one another is covered by that word of Christ’s, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”Matthew 7:12.
(Ed 136.4)
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How many a man might have escaped financial failure and ruin by heeding the warnings, so often repeated and emphasized in the Scriptures:
(Ed 136.5)
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“He that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.”Proverbs 28:20.
(Ed 136.6)
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“Wealth gotten in haste shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall have increase.”Proverbs 13:11, R.V., margin.
(Ed 136.7)
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“The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.”Proverbs 21:6.
(Ed 136.8)
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“He that is surety for a stranger shall smart for it: and he that hateth suretyship is sure.”Proverbs 11:15.
(Ed 136.10)
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“Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: for their Redeemer is mighty; He shall plead their cause with thee.”Proverbs 23:10, 11. “He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.”Proverbs 22:16. “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him.”Proverbs 26:27.
(Ed 136.11)
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