Really Care for Them

Sales can influence people’s lives.

In the late 19th century, a book salesman named McAfee was traveling the back roads of western North Carolina seeking new customers. He met a farmer named Joseph who loved to read. Joseph bought two books from McAfee, one by Virgil and one by Cicero. Joseph became so enamored of the books that he named two of his eleven children “Cicero” and “Virgil.”

Cicero went by his middle name, McAfee, which his father gave him in honor of the book salesman. Cicero’s love of reading led him to decide to go to college, and he eventually became a doctor. Joseph’s other children also became successful professionals.

This true story – which began with a rural salesperson and a farmer – attests to the far-reaching influence sales can have in people’s lives. When Joseph, the farmer, was around 70, he severely injured his hand while chopping wood. Fortunately, his son, the doctor, was nearby, and able to amputate his father’s hand quickly, close up the horrible wound and save his father’s life. Joseph lived for another 15 years. Because of his education and training – which ultimately sprang from the book salesman...