A Verse Digest of P. T. Barnum’s The Art of Money Getting (1880)
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PERSEVERE
a man in the right path must persevere
some persons are born tired, naturally lazy
possessing no self-reliance and no perseverance
Davy Crockett said:
this thing remember
when I am dead
be sure you are right
then go ahead
this go-aheaditiveness
this determination
you must cultivate
Shakespeare says:
there is a tide
in the affairs of men
which taken at the flood
leads on to fortune
if you hesitate
some bolder hand
will get the prize
the proverb of Solomon:
he becometh poor
that dealeth with
a slack hand
but the hand
of the diligent
maketh rich
perseverance is but another word for self-reliance
many look on the dark side and borrow trouble
governed by one wind and blown by another
until you can rely upon yourself
you need not expect to succeed
men have met with pecuniary reverses
and absolutely committed suicide
others have met more serious financial difficulties
and bridged them over by simple perseverance
you will see this illustrated in any sphere of life
take two generals
both understand military tactics
both educated at West Point
both equally gifted
one having perseverance
the other lacking it
the former will succeed
the latter will fail
one may hear the cry
the enemy have cannon
then halt every man
he wants time to reflect
hesitation is his ruin
the enemy passes unmolested
on the other hand
the general of pluck
perseverance and self-reliance
into battle with a will
amid the clash of arms
the booming of cannon
the shrieks of the wounded
the moans of the dying
see this man persevering
going on, cutting and slashing
his unwavering determination
inspiring his soldiers to deeds of
fortitude, valor, and triumph
Money Getting, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI
Money Getting is a verse digest of P.T. Barnum’s The Art of Money Getting (1880)