SEVEN
CURES FOR A LEAN PURSE
THE FOURTH CURE: GUARD THY TREASURES FROM LOSS
"Misfortune
loves a shining mark. Gold in a man's purse must be guarded with firmness, else
it be lost. Thus it is wise that we must first secure small amounts and learn
to protect them before the Gods entrust us with larger." So spoke Arkad
upon the fourth day to his class.
"Every
owner of gold is tempted by opportunities whereby it would seem that he could
make large sums by its investment in most plausible projects. Often friends and
relatives are eagerly entering such investment and urge him to follow.
"The
first sound principle of investment is security for thy principal. Is it wise
to be intrigued by larger earnings when thy principal may be lost? I say not.
The penalty of risk is probable loss. Study carefully, before parting with thy
treasure, each assurance that it may be safely reclaimed. Be not misled by
thine own romantic desires to make wealth rapidly.
"Before
thou loan it to any man assure thyself of his ability to repay and his
reputation for doing so, that thou mayest not unwittingly be making him a
present of thy hard-earned treasure.
"Before
thou entrust it as an investment in any field acquaint thyself with the dangers
which may beset it.
"My
own first investment was a tragedy to me at the time. The guarded savings of a
year I did entrust to a brickmaker, named Azmur, who was traveling over the far
seas and in Tyre agreed to buy for me the rare jewels of the Phoenicians. These
we would sell upon his return and divide the profits. The Phoenicians were
scoundrels and sold him bits of glass. My treasure was lost. Today, my training
would show to me at once the folly of entrusting a brickmaker to buy jewels.
"Therefore,
do I advise thee from the wisdom of my experiences: be not too confident of
thine own wisdom in entrusting thy treasures to the possible pitfalls of
investments. Better by far to consult the wisdom of those experienced in
handling money for profit. Such advice is freely given for the asking and may
readily possess a value equal in gold to the sum thou considerest investing. In
truth, such is its actual value if it save thee from loss.
"This,
then, is the fourth cure for a lean purse, and of great importance if it
prevent thy purse from being emptied once it has become well filled. Guard
thy treasure from loss by investing only where thy principal is safe, where it
may be reclaimed if desirable, and where thou will not fail to collect a fair
rental. Consult with wise men. Secure the advice of those experienced in the
profitable handling of gold. Let their wisdom protect thy treasure from unsafe investments."
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