The following list of 10 financial principles were penned by the Reverend William J. H. Boetcke.[i] Part of the beauty of these remarks is that they are short, to the point, and easily understood by anyone.
- You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
- You cannot help small men by tearing down big men.
- You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
- You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer.
- You cannot help the poor man by destroying the rich.
- You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than your income.
- You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
- You cannot establish security on borrowed money.
- You cannot build character and courage by taking away men’s initiative and independence.
- You cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.