The Rich Men of Massachusetts Containing a Statement of the Reputed Wealth of about Fifteen Hundred Persons, with Brief Sketches of More Than One Thousand Characters (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Rich Men of Massachusetts: Containing a Statement of the Reputed Wealth of About Fifteen Hundred Persons, With Brief Sketches of More Than One Thousand Characters
Upon the announcement that an individual is in possession of a large fortune, we naturally inquire, "How did he come by it? Was it by inheritance, or marriage, or both? Or, was the present man of wealth once obliged to toil for his daily bread like the thousands who now marvel at his possessions? If his property came by his own exertions, what is the man? what are his strong traits of character? how did he manage? Did any one great circumstance, aside from his natural abilities, favor him? In what business did he grow rich? Has he done, or is he likely to do, much good in the world in consequence of his riches?" These are the questions which naturally suggest themselves to us in reference to the wealthy of any place, and these are questions which we have attempted to answer in reference to a very large number of wealthy men in Massachusetts. Our leading object has been to furnish encouragement to the young, from the contemplation of success resulting from a suitable combination of those sterling qualities, Perseverance, Energy, Carefulness, Economy, Integrity, Honesty. Another very prominent object with us has been, to excite in the minds of the wealthy, and of all who shall become such, greater attention to the importance of an enlarged system of Benevolence.
We pardon something to the lovers of money, when we consider the inconvenience of being wholly disburdened of that precious incumbrance. Nor do we complain much, that so few seem ever to get rich enough, and make the desperate resolve never to become any richer.
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