– Do not cheat in business or you will find yourself in an early grave.
– Do not fail to be fair in all things and do not kick a man when he is down.
– Keep your word, for nothing is more valuable in business than a reputation for honesty and reliability.
– Live below your means; save more than you spend and avoid needless display.
– Avoid speculation and gambling; rely instead on careful judgment and sound investments.
– Shun debt and leverage; never borrow what you cannot easily repay.
– Be patient and persistent; buy when things are low and unwanted, and wait for value to be recognized.
– Learn before you act; study every investment thoroughly and do not depend blindly on others’ advice.
– Maintain your independence; manage your own affairs and do not surrender control of your money to others.
– Help those truly in need, but do not subsidize waste, extravagance, or idleness.
attributed to Henrietta “Hetty” Howland Robinson Green – American businesswoman and financier known as “the richest woman in America” during the Gilded Age (1834-1916)