The feeling of being in love is great. But it brings with it a lot of responsibilities. Dating leads to marriage. So, choose your partner wisely. You should make sure that you are both compatible, most especially when it comes to financial matters.You learned that being married entails a lot of communication.You should always strive to be open to your partner as much as possible.Not clearly communicating can end in divorce. Always be there for each other, physically, emotionally, and mentally.You learned that being a parent changes you. It makes you want to become a better person, not for your sake, but for your children’s. If you want to be a parent, you have to make sacrifices. You have to be selfless.You learned that being a good citizen improves the community as a whole. You learned to always lend a helping hand, especially to the poor. It makes society a better place to live in.You now know how to properly execute your various roles in life. Be a good influence on the younger generation. Make them want to follow in your footsteps.
To a young
Being young is one of the greatest treasures a person can enjoy. William, the author, sees the ages between fourteen and twenty in the category of “youth.” Youth is where you find yourself.It is where you truly discover what the world has to offer. William, well past his youth, offers advice to the young. This advice is what he wished someone told him when he was their age.
Bill, age 18, is William’s next-door neighbor. Bill is a bright kid who is currently going to university. One day, Bill and William sat down and talked. Bill sees William as a father figure.He eagerly asked what William did when he was Bill’s age.William told Bill to have this mindset. You do not have the right to anything. You do not own anything unless you worked hard for it. Youth is where you establish your own sense of independence. Bill should depend solely on his own efforts and nothing else. At first, Bill was stunned. It was such an intimidating mindset! But William reassured him that it is not as hard as he thinks it is.Bill can practice his independence with small things at first. Suppose Bill is put in a group project for a class. He should, of course, be a good member. But he should know that he has a responsibility to fulfill.If his groupmates are being uncooperative, Bill should be ready to cover for them. This sense of independence will slowly be ingrained in other aspects of Bill’s life slowly but surely.
William also told Bill the importance of living upon little as much as possible. Indulging in one’s pleasures makes you commit a lot of mistakes. It makes you selfish. A lot of great men became no one because of their vices. You cannot accomplish success if you always give in to your impulses and desires.William did not know any better when he was young. His vice was that he cared too much about appearances. He often spent money he did not have on new clothes. It was vain of him. William thought that he was better than everyone because he had nice clothes.Your material possessions should never define you. Bill should be conscious of how he looks. He should aim to be always clean. But the price and quality of his clothes should never be his primary concern. Will your material possessions bring you good morals? Will it teach you how to be strong during tough times? That’s highly unlikely.Yes, any sensible youth wants a comfortable life.
Bill himself is studying hard so that he will have the life he wants. But there is no shame in finding work that does not bring you fame or lots of money.Work is still work. William considers every labor to be a noble one.The youth praise those who are CEOs and have millions of dollars. But do they think about those who build houses? Those who make sure the roads are smooth and free of cracks? Do they praise those who work tirelessly every single day?It is not bad to want a comfortable life. But wealth and success are not the only things Bill should reach for. He should have other good traits as well. There is patience, integrity, loyalty, etc. In everything he does, Bill should strive to learn a trait. These traits make him a better son, friend, and human.
To a Young Man
When William and Bill finished talking, Bill went inside to do his chores. They were not aware that Bill’s older brother was listening to their conversation. Stephen, Bill’s older brother, had just turned twenty-five. He already acquired a degree, and he was working at an office. And yet, Stephen felt lost.Just as William was about to leave, Stephen called him. William and Stephen were not that close. But Stephen badly needed someone to guide him. And so, the two men sat down on the front porch. Stephen admitted that he felt he had no direction in life.William reassured him that William felt that way when he was Stephen’s age.William had one principle when he was a young man. That is to always be his true, authentic self. Trials will make Stephen question his morals. He will be convinced to turn his back on what he believes in. In short, there will be times when Stephen will be tempted. But he must, at all times, resist.
Those who give in to evil are considered by William as poor. Not in the sense that they do not have money. These men are poor in spirit. They indulge in their wants. They do not think of the consequences of their actions. Stephen should never become like these men.Being one’s authentic self is also clarifying one’s views on poverty. William noticed that a lot of young men see poverty as something to be ashamed of. This mindset is a weakness. If Stephen thinks this way, William encouraged him to change it. Such is the sickness of men’s mentality. They automatically think a rich man is a good man. It is because great men are usually wealthy. It is no wonder men do not associate with the word poor.But William thinks this is nonsense. Rich people become poor because of wanting to be seen as wealthy. They excessively spend just to prove to society that they can afford it. It is ridiculous. Stephen should never indulge in putting up appearances. It will only disturb his mind.
Stephen is still finding his place in the world. William advises him to keep an open mind.Stephen should not despise the poor because they are poor. In the same way, he should not treat a poor man and a rich man differently. This will be a testimony to Stephen’s true, authentic self.Another principle that William lived by in his manhood was that of leisure time.Stephen should choose what he does in his free time wisely. Leisure time should also reflect his authentic self. William discourages Stephen from drinking and smoking. It is unhealthy and dangerous. Instead, Stephen should pick up a hobby that is productive. It should encourage him to be a better person.One way to spend leisure time is to read books. It keeps Stephen’s brain active, and it costs little to buy one. At first, Stephen hated this suggestion. He was not the type to read books. But William convinced him to just try it once.Besides, Stephen had a choice on what genre he should read. It did not have to be something that was overly complicated and long.It was no surprise that Stephen grew to like reading. Reading books takes you to another world.
To a Lover
Stephen was more than grateful for the wise advice William gave to him. He promised he would follow it as much as he can. Then, with great hesitation, Stephen asked William something else. What about the matters of the heart?William was amused, but not surprised.Love in one’s youth is a strong thing. All logic is nowhere to be seen when it comes to love.When you are not careful, it could make you go insane.It is hard to resist love. William tells Stephen not to fight it. Stephen should aim to be the best lover to a woman. But of course, he should always be careful. Stephen should always try to use logic at all times. However, if his feelings are so strong, then he should feel all of it.After all, loving someone leads to marriage. Stephen should always keep this in mind. The woman he loves should make his life happy and not miserable. He should have great care in choosing his lover. They should be able to take care of each other. Who Stephen chooses should have these three qualities: thrift, good temper, and cleanliness.
Thrift is the opposite of extravagance. Stephen should choose a woman who does not spend unnecessarily. Marriage often leads to divorce because of unhealthy spending habits. So, Stephen should watch out for this.Being thrift does not just mean being wise about money. It is also about finding great joys in the little things. William knew of a happy couple back then. The wife would smile all day when her husband surprised her. And this surprise was just a little thing. It was just a basket of strawberries. But the wife found great joy in it.Stephen must be financially compatible with his lover. They should have the same view when it comes to money matters. It can be a disaster if he forces to marry a girl who is extravagant. Stephen will become broke from buying all the things she wants. The woman, in turn, would be unhappy because what Stephen can provide is never enough.The second quality would be cleanliness.
Both man and woman should always strive to be clean.This does not just apply to personal hygiene. William emphasizes the need to have a good conscience. A clean house is no use if you have a dirty soul. So, Stephen must be honest with his future wife at all times. His wife, in turn, should also be open to Stephen. It is the only way a relationship would work. Having secrets can easily break a bond of trust.The final quality is a good temper. It can be hard for Stephen to find this quality in a woman. When you are dating someone, you always want to make a good impression. You rarely show your ugly traits in the first few months of dating.William is not saying that Stephen should find a woman who never gets mad. That is impossible to find. Instead, Stephen should find someone who has an easy disposition.
To a Husband
William left his neighbor’s house just as it was starting to get dark. The conversation with Bill and Stephen made him happy. He felt honored by being asked for advice. The conversation also made him William chatty. So, he went to his favorite diner. He was a regular customer there. William tended to befriend those who ate alone in the diner.Tonight, he saw an unfamiliar face. The stranger looked to be around 35 years old. He was clearly upset. He was sipping his coffee with a frown on his face. William knew that this stranger needed someone to talk to. And so, William introduced himself to the man. The man, named Rob, was cautious at first. But eventually, he opened up to William.Rob was having marital problems. Rob’s wife, Helen, was demanding too much from him. Helen never seemed to run out of things to want.
William gently interrupted Rob. First of all, this was Rob’s fault. He should have communicated right from the start. Rob and Helen had to sort out their financial compatibility. Did they both agree on things that were necessary to spend on?Second, Helen should be more practical with her wants. Rob told William of the things she expected him to buy. There was expensive jewelry, furniture, appliances, etc. Rob and Helen were also expecting a daughter soon. So, they had to be wise with how they spent their money. Helen was also at fault here. She was still living a lifestyle of extravagance. She should have adjusted when she got married.Rob then asked William about his marital life. William happily told him the story. When their first child was born, William and his wife had a helper. It was necessary since they were easily overwhelmed. They were brand new parents, after all. But William and his wife were a team.
They made sure to always be hands-on with their child. They divided the household chores equally. William shared laughter and tears with his wife. They leaned on each other when their first child died a few months later.Rob and Helen were still a young couple. William advised Rob to always show his appreciation to his wife. He needs to tell Helen that she looked beautiful that day. He needs to thank her for her efforts. William assured Rob that it would make Helen’s day.The secret to a lasting marriage is communication. It is also admitting when you are at fault. William knew that Rob loved Helen very much. He will not let his marriage get destroyed. Rob left the diner after some time. He told William he would bring flowers to Helen when he gets home.
To a Father
William pays a visit to his next-door neighbors the next day. Bill and Stephen’s father had asked for help regarding their car. William immediately said yes.While they were working, they talked. William was always a good listener. Bill and Stephen’s father, named Paul, was a good talker. Paul was a family man. He took pride in his children and in his wife. Paul shared to William that having a family was one of his goals. Even when he was still little, Paul thought about it. And now, he had a family and more.Paul talked about his family with so much love.William, in turn, asked him questions about them. Never mind the fact that William knew the family well. William knew Paul would love to talk about them.Paul sees himself in Bill and Stephen. They are his pride and joy. Paul sees Mary, his wife, as the love of his life. He would do anything for them. And that is what Paul does every day.
Before he had a family, Paul was a different person. He was rude and impatient. He only cared about himself. But being married and having children changed him. There is love in being patient. Paul taught his sons how to ride a bike. He taught them almost everything they know.It was not easy. But Paul’s patience got longer and longer.Paul learned to be selfless. Paul works hard to give his family a comfortable life.Sacrifice comes easily to Paul.He is tired constantly. Sometimes, he does not have time for himself. But this is okay for him.He makes sacrifices without getting angry. It is because he is willing to do everything for his family.Paul knows how to balance his time. He talks about Bill’s favorite video game over dinner. Paul teaches Stephen how to fish on the weekends. Paul encourages them to open up to him with his problems. He wants to be there for them as much as possible.It is not always easy, being a good father. But Paul tries every day to be one. And that is what matters the most.
To the Citizen
William is now speaking to you, dear reader. As a citizen, you have duties and responsibilities to perform. You are not just a child, parent, or lover. You are also a citizen. And that word has heavy implications.You are a citizen, and you are expected to act like one. Belonging to a civil society requires you to follow the law. You also have to follow social norms. Above all, you should treat every citizen equally. It is shameful to treat the poor and the rich differently. It means that you have wrong morals. William encourages you to evaluate this mindset. It can be a toxic mentality to have.Poverty is present in almost every country. Many will support the rights of the rich. But what about the poor? As a citizen, your compassion for them can help.Very few will support the poor because they can never repay. But even alone, you can change a poor person’s life. Be kind to everyone you meet.
If you can help someone, do so. It might mean nothing to you. But it will mean the world to them.As a citizen, you have rights as well.You have a right to live. You have a right to own properties. But William considers one right the greatest of all. It is the right to be able to participate in law-making. Use your voice because you can. You have the right to speak up. Life as a child, parent, lover, partner, and citizen will be difficult. There are times when you feel overwhelmed by your roles. You will experience victories. Most of the time, you will experience failures. You will get jealous of how other people’s lives are going. However, it will do you no good to keep comparing yourself to other people.Focus on yourself. Focus on the state of your mind. Take care of your health.Prioritize your happiness while also spreading happiness. Above all, try to uphold justice in your day-to-day life.