Disclaimer: This guide reflects one clinician's perspective on using this book as a psychoeducational adjunct to psychotherapy. It is intended for educational purposes only and should not replace individualized clinical judgment. Clinicians should determine whether this resource is appropriate based on each client's needs, developmental level, culture, reading ability, and treatment goals. ADDITIONAL TERMS OF USE
Letters From A Self-Made Merchant To His Son
George Horace Lorimer was an American journalist and author. He is best known as the editor of The Saturday Evening Post. His Letters From A Self-Made Merchant To His Son is a timeless collection of Gilded Age aphorisms from a rich man - a prosperous pork-packer in Chicago to his son, Pierrepont, whom he ‘affectionately’ calls ‘Piggy.’ The writing is subtle and brilliant.
Why This Book?
Overview
Letters from a Self-Made Merchant to His Son is a collection of fictional letters written by George Horace Lorimer that blends humor, practical wisdom, and life advice. Through the correspondence between a successful businessman and his son, the book explores themes of integrity, ambition, perseverance, communication, relationships, and character development.
Although originally written for young men entering the business world, its lessons extend well beyond career success. The book offers opportunities to examine beliefs about responsibility, resilience, humility, and leadership while inviting readers to reflect on the values they hope will guide their own lives. Its conversational style also makes it an engaging alternative to contemporary self-help books.
Best For
Presenting Concerns
Identity development
Career transitions
Motivation
Goal setting
Personal responsibility
Leadership development
Confidence
Life direction
Client Populations
Young adults entering the workforce
Professionals developing leadership skills
Clients exploring purpose and character
Individuals interested in classical literature and biography
Adults navigating major life transitions
Clinical Strengths
Encourages reflection on personal values and integrity.
Emphasizes long-term character development over quick success.
Provides memorable stories that naturally stimulate discussion.
Promotes resilience, humility, perseverance, and accountability.
Appeals to clients who enjoy historical or literary works more than traditional self-help books.
Clinical Considerations
This book may be less appropriate for:
Clients seeking structured coping strategies or symptom management.
Individuals who prefer contemporary writing styles.
Readers who may struggle with historical language or cultural references.
The book reflects the social norms and business culture of the early twentieth century. Clinicians should encourage clients to evaluate its ideas critically, identifying principles that remain valuable while recognizing perspectives shaped by its historical context.
When to Recommend
Early Therapy
Appropriate after immediate concerns have stabilized and clients begin exploring questions of identity, responsibility, career, or personal growth.
Middle Therapy
Useful while discussing values, work, relationships, leadership, or long-term life goals.
Maintenance
Supports continued reflection on intentional living, ethical decision-making, and lifelong character development.
How to Use This Book
Treatment Goals
This book may help clients:
Clarify personal values.
Develop greater personal responsibility without fostering excessive self-criticism.
Strengthen resilience when facing setbacks.
Explore integrity in work and relationships.
Build confidence through consistent effort.
Reflect on the type of person they hope to become.
Discussion Questions
Which letter felt most relevant to your current life?
Which pieces of advice do you agree with? Which do you question?
What messages about success did you receive growing up?
How do you define integrity?
Which qualities do you admire most in people you respect?
What role should ambition play in a meaningful life?
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
If you were writing letters to your younger self, what advice would you give?
Therapeutic Interventions
Personal Principles Exercise
Invite the client to identify ten principles they hope will guide their decisions throughout life.
Discuss:
Where each principle originated.
How consistently it is currently practiced.
Which principles feel most important moving forward.
Advice Across Generations
Ask the client to write two brief letters:
A letter from their current self to their younger self.
A letter from their future self to their present self.
Explore themes of wisdom, regret, encouragement, and hope.
Success Redefined
Have the client define success in five domains:
Relationships
Career
Health
Character
Contribution
Identify where current behaviors align—or fail to align—with these personal definitions.
Mentor Reflection
Invite the client to identify individuals who have shaped their values.
Discuss:
Lessons they hope to keep.
Messages they wish to reject.
The kind of mentor they hope to become for others.
Follow-Up Activities
Journal about one principle practiced intentionally each day.
Reflect on situations where integrity required making a difficult choice.
Write a personal mission statement based on your core values.
Identify one leadership behavior to practice during the coming week.
Read one letter each week and discuss its relevance during therapy.
Integration Tips
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Use the book to deepen conversations about values, responsibility, and committed action while helping clients distinguish meaningful effort from perfectionism.
Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT)
Explore the emotions connected to achievement, failure, approval, and self-worth that emerge while discussing the book's themes.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Use the stories to identify rigid beliefs about success, productivity, and failure, helping clients develop more balanced and realistic perspectives.
Narrative Therapy
Encourage clients to examine the inherited stories they carry about work, ambition, and responsibility, then author a personal narrative grounded in their own values rather than external expectations.
Editor in Chief
Cody Thomas Rounds
Cody Thomas Rounds is a licensed clinical psychologist- Master, Vice President of the Vermont Psychological Association (VPA), and an expert in leadership development, identity formation, and psychological assessment. As the chair and founder of the VPA’s Grassroots Advocacy Committee, Cody has spearheaded efforts to amplify diverse voices and ensure inclusive representation in mental health advocacy initiatives across Vermont.
In his national role as Federal Advocacy Coordinator for the American Psychological Association (APA), Cody works closely with Congressional delegates in Washington, D.C., championing mental health policy and advancing legislative initiatives that strengthen access to care and promote resilience on a systemic level.
Cody’s professional reach extends beyond advocacy into psychotherapy and career consulting. As the founder of BTR Psychotherapy, he specializes in helping individuals and organizations navigate challenges, build resilience, and develop leadership potential. His work focuses on empowering people to thrive by fostering adaptability, emotional intelligence, and personal growth.
In addition to his clinical and consulting work, Cody serves as Editor-in-Chief of PsycheAtWork Magazine and Learn Do Grow Publishing. Through these platforms, he combines psychological insights with interactive learning tools, creating engaging resources for professionals and the general public alike.
With a multidisciplinary background that includes advanced degrees in Clinical Psychology, guest lecturing, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Cody brings a rich perspective to his work. Whether advocating for systemic change, mentoring future leaders, or developing educational resources, Cody’s mission is to inspire growth, foster professional excellence, and drive meaningful progress in both clinical and corporate spaces.