The following post comes from Voice In The Wilderness, shared by Ken Korkow (www.theranchministries.com) 
Parents, take time to teach these wonderful guidelines to your child. By the way start early. When the child can understand it is time to teach and develop discipline and character.
As a young man, James A. Garfield was given by a dear friend the following guidelines for life:
1.  Never be idle.
2.  Make few promises.
3.  Always speak the truth.
4.  Live within your income.
5.  Never speak evil of anyone.
6.  Keep good company or none.
7.  Live up to your engagements.
8.  Never play games of chance.
9.  Drink no intoxicating drinks.
10. Good character is above everything else.
11. Keep your own secrets if you have any.
12. Never borrow if you can possibly help it.
13. Do not marry until you are able to support a wife.
14. When you speak to a person, look into his eyes.
15. Save when you are young to spend when you are old.
16. Never run into debt unless you see your way out again.
17. Good company and good conversation are the sinews of virtue.
18. Your character cannot be essentially injured except by your own acts.
19. If anybody speaks evil of you, let your life be so that no one believes him.
20. When you retire at night, think over what you have done during the day.
21. If your hands cannot be employed usefully, attend to the culture of your mind.