Ambitious Aspirations: “Though written in 1776, The Entreprenuer’s Credo written by Thomas Paine still applies very much in today’s context. Inspiriational and motivating. Be sure to read this piece. I have a copy pasted up on my wall.”
Entrepreneur’s Credo
I do not choose to be a common man,
It is my right to be uncommon … if I can,
I seek opportunity … not security.
I do not wish to be a kept citizen.
Humbled and dulled by having the
State look after me.
I want to take the calculated risk;
To dream and to build.
To fail and to succeed.
I refuse to barter incentive for a dole;
I prefer the challenges of life
To the guaranteed existence;
The thrill of fulfillment
To the stale calm of Utopia.
I will not trade freedom for beneficence
Nor my dignity for a handout
I will never cower before any master
Nor bend to any threat.
It is my heritage to stand erect.
Proud and unafraid;
To think and act for myself,
To enjoy the benefit of my creations
And to face the world boldly and say:
This, with God’s help, I have done
All this is what it means
To be an Entrepreneur.
(Excerpt from Common Sense, written in 1776 by Thomas Paine)
Richard Kligman on May 9th, 2005 at 7:56 am
Awsome!
It is now hanging on my wall!
Jairo from Venezuela on May 11th, 2005 at 7:26 am
Sometimes it´s not easy to stay motivated, sometimes you want not to continue. But if you don´t lose the faith you´ll find yourself as a winner. Ït´s your destiny!
Thanks for the credo!
Al Zapata on November 16th, 2007 at 6:23 am
Hi,
Although this work is certainly appropriate for the entrepreneur, it is not from Common Sense nor was it written by Thomas Paine. It was written by Dr. Dean Alfange, a Greek immigrant, who at one point ran for Governor of New York. He died in 1989. He titled the piece: MY CREED. I know this because a few years agao I spoke with his son Dean Alfange Jr. to get permission to print and market this work. Below I have include the work as he wrote it.
Al Zapata
MY CREED by Dean Alfange
I do not choose to be a common man. It is my right to be uncommon—if I can. I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me. I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed. I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia. I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat. It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations, and to face the world boldly and say, this I have done. All this is what it means to be an American.