::Prosperity	2009-01-07 19:49:10 | TMSTKSBK
	With little exception, civilization has progressed fastest when two rules were observed. These rules govern the rights to individual prosperity. They are central to western culture, and the abrogation of them is, even now, leading to our civilization's demise. Below, these rules are expounded. Man has the right to attempt to prosper. By so saying, we assert that man is born with the divinely-given right to attempt to better his station. While it is true that some are born in a position more conducive to rapid prospering, no one may deny man the right to attempt to prosper, within the limits of law. This law, however, may not entirely remove this right to attempt to prosper. Whether a man makes use of this right or not is entirely his decision. The failure of a man to prosper may have many causes, be they internal or external, but this failure will occur in many cases. It is not something to be wondered at, but something to be taken as a matter of course. Other men will succeed where some have failed. It is the greatest of human endeavors to attempt the putatively impossible, and to prove it possible in fact. This endeavor does claim its share of victims in the pursuit of that greatest of goals, and their attempts are placed as signposts along the path to success. Never give up, despite any adversity that may face you, however. Pursue that greatest goal with vigor and passion. Grasp the prize, and carry the cause of mankind forward with you in the vanguard of progress. Man does not have the right to expect to be provided for. No man is permitted to expect that his needs shall be provided for by his fellow man, with no labor or effort of intellect of his own. Indeed, similarly, no man may demand of you your own goods and resources without just cause. This just cause must be one where the man requiring the surrender of your assets has performed or delivered a service or goods to you, and is therefore due just compensation. Should a man not deliver any thing or concept of value to you, he has no right to demand of you any portion of your assets, be the demand made directly or indirectly, as through the government. Truly, the government has no right to demand of you a portion of your income or other monetary disbursement beyond that amount used by the government for your protection and continued well-being. The government may not deliver funds taken from one section of its citizens to another section. It is not the purpose or place of the government to be an institutionalized charity. This truth can be further subdivided into the following: No man may expect any funds to be given to him for nothing. No man may expect any goods to be given to him for nothing. No man may expect any services to be rendered for nothing. No man may expect any favors from any other man. No man may expect any respect without cause. No man may expect any voice without proving his voice relevant. No man may expect to be granted status beyond his rights by virtue of being. These several truths are immutable. The violation of any of these truths leads to the downfall of a civilization. They are a slippery slope. Should a man be granted some service, goods, or funds without cause, it is out of grace, not by the man's rights. The man should respond to such actions with humility, and seek to further himself by the application of this gift. The man who squanders the gracious gift, and does not seek to better his own station is detrimental to the progress of society. Repent, therefore, of the sin of expectation. Instead, work diligently to improve yourself, and have grace on those whose plight is worse than yours. Do not, however, give away all that you have worked diligently to gain to those who will not work towards their own improvement.
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