Shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations is an American translation of a Lancashire proverb, “there’s nobbut three generations atween a clog and clog.”

Some say that Andrew Carnegie, the famed 1800s industrialist from Scotland, brought the proverb’s message to the New World. Further investigation proves that the adage is not unique to any one country or culture. In Italian it is “dalle stalle alle stelle alle stalle” (“from stalls to stars to stalls”). The Spanish say, “quien no lo tiene, lo hance; y quien lo tiene, lo deshance” (“who doesn’t have it, does it, and who has it, misuses it”). Even non-western cultures, including the Chinese, have a similar proverb.

This concept clearly transcends cultures and has been written about through the ages:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune is in want of a wife.”    Why have a wife? To become respectable and also to have children who you raise and share your “fortune” with.

Always remember what is important to you in your life? and ensure that you support your children and they thrive with you. See my article on your children as your successors here:  http://successinsuccession.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/your-child-as-your-successor/.  It is up to you to ensure that the shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves view does not happen in your family.

Learn think apply.