1. Thou shalt keep thine engine clean and in adjustment that thy life in its company shall be long and that the owner shall increase thy job longevity.

2. Know thine enigne and all its parts and functions, else thou shalt be up some tributary without means of locomotion.

3. Be not wise in thine own conceit. Remember the factory instructions and keep them holy, lest false repairs be thine undoing.

4. Be not loose in thy jaw hinges for no man knoweth all about diesels. The truly wise absorbeth much knowledge and exceedith little, and he who so doeth shall gain repute among his fellows and favors among his superiors.

5. For all things in this life that thou desireth, thou shalt also pay plenty, and for the wisdom of experience, no less. Advice from the multitudes costeth nothing and usually worth as much.

6. In the books though mayest read what to do and when, but only the voice of experience may tell thee why and how, else reading of what and when shall but plague thee with smoke.

7. God maketh the earth rotate endlessly without bearing or oil, but not thy diesel.

8. Curse not thine engine when it turneth not. Curse rather thine own neglect.

9. Steam engines and gas engines may long turn over though sloppy: a diesel not so. With gauges and mikes be though ever busy.

10. The eternal eye watcheth universal operations, but thou shalt not rely upon it as to thy diesel. Thine own vigilance is the price thou payest for thy job.