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TRUST BEGETS TRUST
CHARLES JAMES FOX was a representative of the middle class in the House of Commons in England. He was a great orator. He had made it a point to pay his creditors as soon as he received his salary on the first of every month. Once a tradesman asked him for payment against a promissory note on the first of the month, as he had to deposit the money in the bank. Fox replied, "I am sorry I can't pay you this month, as I have to repay a loan to Sheridan. He has loaned me money without taking a promissory note from me, because he trusts me implicitly. Supposing I die suddenly, the poor man would get nothing."
The tradesman was highly impressed by Fox's high sense of integrity. Tearing the promissory note in bits he said, "I don't need this either; you may return the loan at your convenience."
Fox was deeply moved. Holding out the money he said to his creditor, "In that case I must pay you before I pay to Sheridan. In the first place, your loan is older; secondly, you need to put it in the bank urgently; thirdly, you've torn up the promissory note, trusting me. I'll pay Sheridan next month; he'll understand."
Trust begets trust.
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