Advice to 'young men' who wish to get on
Taking a prominent place in the St Swithin's Lane office of the late Mr Edmund de Rothschild (1916-2009) was this small document, now in the collection of The Rothschild Archive London.
Dated 9 Sept 1911, it is a handwritten alphabetical list of humorous good advice, entitled 'Baron Rothschild's Maxims, framed and hung in the Bank, recommended to young men who wished to get on'. It was probably the work of clerks of the London bank, rather than Nathaniel, 1st Lord Rothschild (1840-1915), who was then senior partner, N M Rothschild & Sons.
Attend carefully to details of your business.
Be prompt in all things.
Consider well, then decide positively.
Dare to do right; fear to do wrong.
Endure trials patiently
Fight life’s battles bravely, manfully.
Go not into the society of the vicious.
Hold integrity sacred.
Injure not another’s reputation, or business.
Join hands only with the virtuous.
Keep your mind from evil thoughts.
Lie not for any consideration.
Make few acquaintances.
Never try to appear what you are not.
Observe good manners.
Pay your debts promptly.
Question not the veracity of a friend.
Respect the counsel of your parents.
Sacrifice money, rather than principle.
Touch not, taste not, handle not intoxicating drink.
Use your leisure time for improvement.
Venture not upon the threshold of wrong.
Watch carefully over your passions.
Xtend to everyone a kindly salutation.
Yield not to discouragement.
Zealously labo[u]r for the right.
RAL reference: RAL 000/1249
