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Editorial
November 23, 1837
Staunton Spectator, And General Advertiser
Staunton, Virginia
What is this article about?
This editorial advises young men against entering business prematurely, warning of failure due to lack of experience and worldly wisdom, which often leads to debt and ruin. It uses metaphors of uncharted seas and competition to illustrate the risks.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
GOING INTO BUSINESS TOO YOUNG.
It has been the wisdom of experienced minds, that a young man makes a great mistake by entering into business for himself too young. Of the number who begin thus, how few succeed.—They launch off upon an untried sea, without a compass, a rudder or an oar and they are soon tossed about at the mercy of every contending billow, or finally dashed in ruin upon some rugged peak.
To face the World, you must know the World. The youth who pounces by a single bound into the arena of commercial contention and competition, finds himself outshot by old marksmen in the exciting contest. He may bet upon the issue, and with each loss be only the more excited by laying down his stakes, but he soon dies forlorn, game to the practised artistes.
Proper ambition should not be checked; but let the youth learn of the World ere he undertakes to be of the World. Get its wisdom—aye, get its worldly wisdom, for it is necessary to carry you successfully over the ocean of adventure.
More young men are ruined by rushing too precipitately into business—getting involved in debt, and finally breaking down under the load, than in any other way. They are apt to go too fast for their prospects, and then their prospects go too fast for them. They should be enterprising but not fool-hardy. They should aspire, but not ascend at once to the clouds, for all aerial voyagers are apt to float as mere "castles in the air."
-Sat. Cour.
It has been the wisdom of experienced minds, that a young man makes a great mistake by entering into business for himself too young. Of the number who begin thus, how few succeed.—They launch off upon an untried sea, without a compass, a rudder or an oar and they are soon tossed about at the mercy of every contending billow, or finally dashed in ruin upon some rugged peak.
To face the World, you must know the World. The youth who pounces by a single bound into the arena of commercial contention and competition, finds himself outshot by old marksmen in the exciting contest. He may bet upon the issue, and with each loss be only the more excited by laying down his stakes, but he soon dies forlorn, game to the practised artistes.
Proper ambition should not be checked; but let the youth learn of the World ere he undertakes to be of the World. Get its wisdom—aye, get its worldly wisdom, for it is necessary to carry you successfully over the ocean of adventure.
More young men are ruined by rushing too precipitately into business—getting involved in debt, and finally breaking down under the load, than in any other way. They are apt to go too fast for their prospects, and then their prospects go too fast for them. They should be enterprising but not fool-hardy. They should aspire, but not ascend at once to the clouds, for all aerial voyagers are apt to float as mere "castles in the air."
-Sat. Cour.
What sub-type of article is it?
Social Reform
What keywords are associated?
Youth Business
Entrepreneurial Risks
Worldly Wisdom
Debt Ruin
Moral Advice
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Dangers Of Young Men Entering Business Too Early
Stance / Tone
Cautionary And Advisory
Key Arguments
Young Men Who Start Business Too Early Rarely Succeed Due To Lack Of Experience
They Face The World Unprepared, Like Sailing Without Tools
Need To Acquire Worldly Wisdom Before Entering Commercial Competition
Rushing Into Business Leads To Debt And Breakdown More Than Other Ways
Be Enterprising But Not Fool Hardy; Aspire Gradually