In the same way
we must learn to keep our private thoughts out of the business. That is
all."
"I am afraid that I shall never learn to look upon the most sacred
office as a merchant's trade."
"Well played, dear ing?nue!" said Michael; "but on the verge of
foolishness. To look down upon merchants and business is no longer
na?ve, but foolish. Without merchants the Holy Father himself would
starve in prison. The whole world is a trading concern and there's no
harm in that. Our business we rightly call the sacred business because,
at all events, it is still the most trustworthy firm in existence. I
consider it a great honor that I may be its youngest servant and am
thankful that at the same time it can, if I keep my wits about me, also
become a pleasure. The demand that I keep the private account of my
ideas carefully separate from the ledger of the firm, so as not to
cause confusion, I consider very just and moderate. It is so in all
large and practical affairs. There's nothing like order, said the
farmer as he screwed the lid on the coffin of his grandmother, who lay
in a trance and wanted to get out again.
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