A ‘transaction’ is an act of debt between parties. The seller owes goods to the buyer (performance debt), and the buyer owes money to the seller (monetary debt). A transaction is considered complete when the debt is settled and the promise to owe each other is called a ‘contract.’ Thus, a good trader or businessman excels at making and repaying debts. When it comes to debt, the type of debt matters. Anyone who misjudges this should not engage in business. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
One reason for the Dutch’s wealth was the strong trust between the merchants and sailors responsible for trade. Captain Willem Barentsz failed in 1596 while attempting to open a northeast route to the Far East via Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic Ocean. An accident occurred in which 8 out of 18 sailors died after being trapped in glaciers at temperatures of -40 degrees for 8 months, marking a setback for the development of a new maritime route. However, the captain and crew did not disturb the cargo, and on June 13, 1597, they split into two small ships and escaped the glacier. Fifty days later, they were rescued by a Russian merchant ship. Captain Barentsz died on the journey home, but the crew returned the consigned cargo to its owners intact after getting home. Trust means taking your life as collateral. Business is built on this trust. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”