Nothing as widespread and effective as the depression could possibly be "just a
coincidence." Behind the depression was a CAUSE. Nothing ever happens without a
CAUSE. In the main, the cause of the depression is traceable directly to the worldwide
habit of trying to REAP without SOWING.
This should not be mistaken to mean that the depression represents a crop
which the world is being FORCED to reap without having SOWN. The trouble is that the
world sowed the wrong sort of seed. Any farmer knows he cannot sow the seed of
thistles, and reap a harvest of grain. Beginning at the outbreak of the world war, the
people of the world began to sow the seed of service inadequate in both quality and
quantity. Nearly everyone was engaged in the pastime of trying to GET WITHOUT
GIVING.
These illustrations are brought to the attention of those who have personal
services to market, to show that we are where we are, and what we are, because of our
own conduct! If there is a principle of cause and effect, which controls business,
finance, and transportation, this same principle controls individuals and determines
their economic status.