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Progress and Achievements of the Colored People / Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success cover

Progress and Achievements of the Colored People / Containing the Story of the Wonderful Advancement of the Colored Americans—the Most Marvelous in the History of Nations—Their Past Accomplishments, Together With Their Present-day Opportunities and a Glimpse Into the Future for Further Developments—the Dawn of a Triumphant Era. A Handbook for Self-improvement Which Leads to Greater Success

Chapter 153: DON’T GO INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH “THE DEVIL”
By Kelly Miller
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History - AmericanHistory - Modern (1750+)

About This Book

The text surveys the social, educational, economic, and moral advancement of Colored Americans since emancipation, combining narrative chapters on leadership, labor, business, religion, health, and physical training with a detailed compendium of institutions. It presents statistics and government-sourced reports, profiles of schools and agencies (more than three hundred institutions described) and numerous photographs and portraits (over sixty illustrations), and offers practical advice on self-improvement, professional development, and community organization. Chapters address education, vocational and professional training, entrepreneurship, public employment, and civic life, aiming to document achievements and to guide further progress.

DON’T GO INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH “THE DEVIL”

It may be true, as many contend, that every man has a personal devil within him that goads him on to do the wrong things at the right time. Any person who has that sort of a devil can easily get rid of him by the use of a strong will and determination.

But outside of him, this “Devil” is quite an institution whose great aim seems to be to monopolize you and everybody else. The feature he displays is a willingness to go into partnership with you in your undertakings.

He will make suggestions to you that sound plausible and good, and his promises are lurid. But beware of him, he is working for himself and not you. He is extremely selfish and will grab all the profits, leaving you thrown out like an old shoe that is no longer fit to wear.

A suggestion of wrong, of crooked work, of something that will injure your fellow man, that will best him, and cause him to lose money, character, friends, or honesty, comes from this outside Devil who wants you for a partner.

In a partnership the partners are supposed to work together for the common interest, but with the Devil as a partner you do all the work and he takes the pot of gold.

If you are a sterling, upright man, and insist upon being so, you may and probably will be tempted to go into partnership with the Devil, but knowing him, you will flaunt his honied words and stick to your uprightness. By and by he will leave you and you will win your way and enjoy all the profits.

In baptism you renounce the world, the flesh and the Devil. The world ruins you, the flesh overcomes you, and the Devil gets you. This is the usual routine, so stand by your baptismal vows, they are wise.