A61398:219
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a…
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a calling in general : and directions for the right managing of the tradesman's calling in particular / by Richard Steele ...
London: printed by J.D. for Samuel Sprint, 1684
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE Tradesman's Calling. › Chapter 5 › Section 3: Of Justice in a Trade.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
(5.) Accustom your selves to an honest Plainness in your Bargains. A necessary Prudence we have before recommended. Ordinary and discernible Faults every Buyer is supposed to take notice of; but if your Commodity hath any such private Defects or Faults, as, being known to your Customer, would induce him to relinquish his purpose, or at least to sink his Price, you do not justly to obtrude the same upon him: for you would not, you ought not to be so dealt by. If the Buyer be culpable that cries, It is naught, it is naught, but when he is gone his way, boasteth, Prov. 20. 14. then the Seller is no better, that cries, O it is faultless! it is excellent good! when it is neither so nor so. It is not your Formal Cant, nor smoothest Harangues, that will make good a bad Commodity. And tho these Methods may serve you for a while, yet, according to the old Proverb; Frost and Fraud will end in Foul. But of this more hereafter.
(5.) Accustom your selves to an honest Plainness in your Bargains. A necessary Prudence we have before recommended. Ordinary and discernable Faults every Buyer is suppos'd to take notice of; but if your Commodity hath any such private Defects or Faults, as, being known to your Customer, would induce him to relinquish his purpose, or at least to sink his Price, you do not justly to obtrude the same upon him: for you would not, you ought not to be so dealt by. If the Buyer be culpable that cries, It is naught, it is naught, but when he is gone his way, boasteth, Prov. 20. 14. then the Seller is no better, that cries, O it is faultless! it is excellent good! when it is neither so nor so. It is not your Formal Cant, nor smoothest Harangues, that will make good a bad Commodity. And tho these Methods may serve you for a while, yet, according to the old Proverb; Frost and Fraud will end in Foul. But of this more hereafter.
6. This Justice in a Tradesman is showed, in defraying all lawful Impositions. For it is supposed, that every Tradesman lives under some Government; that in every Government, the Prince, or Magistrate, must be supported in the Execution of his Office, and enabled to protect his Subjects; that for this end, such and such Tributes