A Freelancer’s Creed

I came across the following quote by John Quincy Adams in my reading today. He was speaking of making a living for himself and his family, but read in a contemporary context, it reads almost like a freelancer’s creed.

I am determined that so long as I shall be able to get my own living, in an honorable manner, I will depend upon no one.

I find that I am sometimes envious of people I know who are there own bosses, who make their living freelancing in one way or another, be it writing, consulting, or running their own business. So this quote resonates with me. That sad part is that I fear if this quote were stated today, it would lack the one key phrase a the heart of the sentiment: in an honorable manner. I just get this sense that this doesn’t matter to people as much today as it once did.