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The Way to Wealth

  


The following is a selection of quotations and proverbs taken 
from Benjamin Franklin's "The Way to Wealth".  It constitutes an 
edited version of The Way to Wealth where I have broken 
up the text, separated out the main proverbs, re-presenting them for 
easier reading. This is then followed by the original text. 

							James Miller


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 The Way to Wealth:   Industry plus Frugality
    
    Selected proverbs and quotes
    Benjamin Franklin




   A word to the wise is enough, and many words won't fill a 
   bushel. 


 INDUSTRY, IDLENESS AND WASTE

   The taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the 
   government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more 
   easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more 
   grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our 
   idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as 
   much by our folly, and from these taxes the commissioners 
   cannot ease or deliver us by allowing an abatement. 


   God helps them that help themselves. 


   It would be thought a hard government that should tax its 
   people one tenth part of their time, to be employed in its 
   service. But idleness taxes many of us much more, if we reckon 
   all that is spent in absolute sloth, or doing of nothing, with 
   that which is spent in idle employments or amusements, that 
   amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely 
   shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor 
   wears, while the used key is always bright. 


   But dost thou love life, then do not squander time, for that's 
   the stuff life is made of. 


   How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep! 
   forgetting that the sleeping fox catches no poultry, and that 
   there will be sleeping enough in the grave. 


   If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must 
   be the greatest prodigality. 


   Lost time is never found again, and what we call time-enough, 
   always proves little enough. 


   Let us then be up and be doing, and doing to the purpose; so by 
   diligence shall we do more with less perplexity. 


   Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy. 


   He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce 
   overtake his business at night. 


   Laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him. 


   Drive thy business, let not that it drive thee. 


   Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy 
   and wise. 


   Industry need not wish. 


   He that lives upon hope will die fasting. 


   There are no gains, without pains. 


   Help hands, for I have no lands. 


   He that hath a trade hath an estate. 


   He that hath a calling hath an office of profit and honor; but 
   then the trade must be worked at, and the calling well 
   followed, or neither the estate, nor the office, will enable us 
   to pay our taxes. 


   If we are industrious we shall never starve. 


   At the working man's house hunger looks in, but dares not 
   enter. 


   Industry pays debts, while despair increaseth them. 


   Diligence is the mother of good luck. 


   God gives all things to industry. 


   Then plough deep, while sluggards sleep, and you shall have 
   corn to sell and to keep. 


   Work while it is called today, for you know not how much you 
   may be hindered tomorrow. 


   One today is worth two tomorrows. 


   Have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today. 


   If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good 
   master should catch you idle? Are you then your own master, be 
   ashamed to catch yourself idle. 


   When there is so much to be done for yourself, your family, 
   your country, and your gracious king, be up by peep of day. 


   Handle your tools without mittens; remember that the cat in 
   gloves catches no mice. 


   'Tis true there is much to be done, and perhaps you are weak 
   handed, but stick to it steadily, and you will see great 
   effects, for constant dropping wears away stones, and by 
   diligence and patience the mouse ate in two the cable; and 
   little strokes fell great oaks. 


   Employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure. 


   Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. 


   Leisure is time for doing something useful; this leisure the 
   diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man never. 


   Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless 
   ease. 


   Industry gives comfort, and plenty, and respect. 


   Flee pleasures, and they'll follow you. 


   With our industry, we must be steady, settled and careful, and 
   oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust too 
   much to others. 


   I never saw an oft removed tree, 
    Nor yet an oft removed family, 
    That throve so well 
    As those that settled be. 


   Three removes is as bad as a fire. 


   Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee. 


   If you would have your business done, go; if not, send. 


   He that by the plough would thrive, 
    Himself must either hold or drive. 


   The eye of a master will do more work than both his hands. 


   Want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge. 


   Not to oversee workmen is to leave them your purse open. 


   Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many. 


   In the affairs of this world men are saved not by faith, but by 
   the want of it. 


   A man's own care is profitable. 


   Learning is to the studious, 
    and riches to the careful.
   Power to the bold, 
    and Heaven to the virtuous. 


   If you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like, 
   serve yourself. 


   Sometimes a little neglect may breed great mischief. 


   For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the 
   horse was lost, and for want of a horse the rider was lost, 
   being overtaken and slain by the enemy, all for want of care 
   about a horse-shoe nail. 




 FRUGALITY 

   A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his 
   nose all his life to the grindstone, and die not worth a groat 
   at last. 


   A fat kitchen makes a lean will. 


   Many estates are spent in the getting, 
   Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting, 
   And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting. 


   If you would be wealthy think of saving as well as of getting: 
   the Indies have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes are 
   greater than her incomes. 


   Women and wine, 
    game and deceit, 
   Make the wealth small, 
    and the wants great. 


   What maintains one vice, would bring up two children. 


   You may think perhaps that a little tea, or a little punch now 
   and then, diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, 
   and a little entertainment now and then, can be no great 
   Matter; but remember what Poor Richard says, many a little 
   makes a mickle, and farther, beware of little expenses; a small 
   leak will sink a great ship. 


   Who dainties love, shall beggars prove. 


   Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them. 


   Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy 
   necessaries. 


   Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths. 


   Wise men learn by others' harms, fools scarcely by their own. 


   Many a one, for the sake of finery on the back, have gone with 
   a hungry belly, and half starved their families. 


   Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets, put out the kitchen 
   fire.  ---These are not the necessaries of life; they can 
   scarcely be called the conveniencies, and yet only because they 
   look pretty, how many want to have them. The artificial wants 
   of mankind thus become more numerous than the natural; and, as 
   Poor Dick says, for one poor person, there are an hundred 
   indigent. By these, and other extravagancies, the genteel are 
   reduced to poverty, and forced to borrow of those whom they 
   formerly despised, but who through industry and frugality have 
   maintained their standing; in which case it appears plainly, 
   that a ploughman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his 
   knees, as Poor Richard says. Perhaps they have had a small 
   estate left them, which they knew not the getting of; they 
   think 'tis day, and will never be night; that a little to be 
   spent out of so much, is not worth minding; (a child and a 
   fool, as Poor Richard says, imagine twenty shillings and twenty 
   years can never be spent) but, always taking out of the meal-
   tub, and never putting in, soon comes to the bottom; then, as 
   Poor Dick says, when the well's dry, they know the worth of 
   water. But this they might have known before, if they had taken 
   his advice; if you would know the value of money, go and try to 
   borrow some, for, he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing, 
   and indeed so does he that lends to such people, when he goes 
   to get it in again. Poor Dick farther advises, and says, Fond 
   pride of dress, is sure a very curse; E'er fancy you consult, 
   consult your purse. And again, pride is as loud a beggar as 
   want, and a great deal more saucy. When you have bought one 
   fine thing you must buy ten more, that your appearance may be 
   all of a piece; but Poor Dick says, 'tis easier to suppress the 
   first desire than to satisfy all that follow it. And 'tis as 
   truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as for the frog to 
   swell, in order to equal the ox. Great estates may venture 
   more, But little boats should keep near shore. 'Tis however a 
   folly soon punished; for pride that dines on vanity sups on 
   contempt, as Poor Richard says. And in another place, pride 
   breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and supped with 
   infamy. And after all, of what use is this pride of appearance, 
   for which so much is risked, so much is suffered? It cannot 
   promote health; or ease pain; it makes no increase of merit in 
   the person, it creates envy, it hastens misfortune. What is a 
   butterfly? At best He's but a caterpillar dressed. The gaudy 
   fop's his picture just, as Poor Richard says. But what madness 
   must it be to run in debt for these superfluities! 


   The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt.


   Lying rides upon debt's back. 


   'tis hard for an empty bag to stand upright. 


   Creditors have better memories than debtors. 


   Creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days 
   and times. 


   The borrower is a slave to the lender. 


   For age and want, save while you may; No morning sun lasts a 
   whole day. 


   Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever while you live, 
   expense is constant and certain. 


   'tis easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel. 


   Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt. 


   Get what you can, and what you get hold. 
    'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold. 


   Do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality, 
   and prudence, though excellent things, for they may all be 
   blasted without the blessing of heaven; and therefore ask that 
   blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at 
   present seem to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember 
   Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperous. 


   We may give advice, but we cannot give conduct. 


   They that won't be counseled, can't be helped. 


   If you will not hear reason, she'll surely rap your knuckles. 





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 THE WAY TO WEALTH         Full text
   
     Benjamin Franklin      
 
 
     
   Courteous Reader, I have heard that nothing gives an author so 
   great pleasure, as to find his works respectfully quoted by 
   other learned authors. This pleasure I have seldom enjoyed; for 
   tho' I have been, if I may say it without vanity, an eminent 
   author of almanacs annually now a full quarter of a century, my 
   brother authors in the same way, for what reason I know not, 
   have ever been very sparing in their applauses; and no other 
   author has taken the least notice of me, so that did not my 
   writings produce me some solid pudding, the great deficiency of 
   praise would have quite discouraged me. I concluded at length, 
   that the people were the best judges of my merit; for they buy 
   my works; and besides, in my rambles, where I am not personally 
   known, I have frequently heard one or other of my adages 
   repeated, with, as Poor Richard says, at the end on't; this 
   gave me some satisfaction, as it showed not only that my 
   instructions were regarded, but discovered likewise some 
   respect for my authority; and I own, that to encourage the 
   practice of remembering and repeating those wise sentences, I 
   have sometimes quoted myself with great gravity. Judge then how 
   much I must have been gratified by an incident I am going to 
   relate to you. I stopped my horse lately where a great number 
   of people were collected at a vendue of merchant goods. The 
   hour of sale not being come, they were conversing on the 
   badness of the times, and one of the company called to a plain 
   clean old man, with white locks, "Pray, Father Abraham, what 
   think you of the times? Won't these heavy taxes quite ruin the 
   country? How shall we be ever able to pay them? What would you 
   advise us to?" Father Abraham stood up, and replied, "If you'd 
   have my advice, I'll give it you in short, for a word to the 
   wise is enough, and many words won't fill a bushel, as Poor 
   Richard says." They joined in desiring him to speak his mind, 
   and gathering round him, he proceeded as follows: "Friends, 
   says he, and neighbors, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if 
   those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to 
   pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many 
   others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed 
   twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our 
   pride, and four times as much by our folly, and from these 
   taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing 
   an abatement. However let us hearken to good advice, and 
   something may be done for us; God helps them that help 
   themselves, as Poor Richard says, in his almanac of 1733. "It 
   would be thought a hard government that should tax its people 
   one tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service. 
   But idleness taxes many of us much more, if we reckon all that 
   is spent in absolute sloth, or doing of nothing, with that 
   which is spent in idle employments or amusements, that amount 
   to nothing. Sloth,by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens 
   life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while 
   the used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost 
   thou love life, then do not squander time, for that's the stuff 
   life is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more than is 
   necessary do we spend in sleep! forgetting that the sleeping 
   fox catches no poultry, and that there will be sleeping enough 
   in the grave, as Poor Richard says. If time be of all things 
   the most precious, wasting time must be, as Poor Richard says, 
   the greatest prodigality, since, as he elsewhere tells us, lost 
   time is never found again, and what we call time-enough, always 
   proves little enough: let us then be up and be doing, and doing 
   to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less 
   perplexity. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all 
   easy, as Poor Richard says; and he that riseth late, must trot 
   all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night. While 
   laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him, as 
   we read in Poor Richard, who adds, drive thy business, let not 
   that drive thee; and early to bed, and early to rise, makes a 
   man healthy, wealthy and wise. "So what signifies wishing and 
   hoping for better times. We may make these times better if we 
   bestir ourselves. Industry need not wish, as Poor Richard says, 
   and he that lives upon hope will die fasting. There are no 
   gains, without pains, then help hands, for I have no lands, or 
   if I have, they are smartly taxed. And, as Poor Richard 
   likewise observes, he that hath a trade hath an estate, and he 
   that hath a calling hath an office of profit and honor; but 
   then the trade must be worked at, and the calling well 
   followed, or neither the estate, nor the office, will enable us 
   to pay our taxes. If we are industrious we shall never starve; 
   for, as Poor Richard says, at the working man's house hunger 
   looks in, but dares not enter. Nor will the bailiff nor the 
   constable enter, for industry pays debts, while despair 
   encreaseth them, says Poor Richard. What though you have found 
   no treasure, nor has any rich relation left you a legacy, 
   diligence is the mother of good luck, as Poor Richard says, and 
   God gives all things to industry. Then plough deep, while 
   sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep, 
   says Poor Dick. Work while it is called today, for you know not 
   how much you may be hindered tomorrow, which makes Poor Richard 
   say, one today is worth two tomorrows; and farther, have you 
   somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today. If you were a servant, 
   would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you 
   idle? Are you then your own master, be ashamed to catch 
   yourself idle, as Poor Dick says. When there is so much to be 
   done for yourself, your family, your country, and your gracious 
   king, be up by peep of day; let not the sun look down and say, 
   inglorious here he lies. Handle your tools without mittens; 
   remember that the cat in gloves catches no mice, as Poor 
   Richard says. 'Tis true there is much to be done, and perhaps 
   you are weak handed, but stick to it steadily, and you will see 
   great effects, for constant dropping wears away stones, and by 
   diligence and patience the mouse ate in two the cable; and 
   little strokes fell great oaks, as Poor Richard says in his 
   almanac, the year I cannot just now remember. "Methinks I hear 
   some of you say, must a man afford himself no leisure? I will 
   tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says, employ thy time 
   well if thou meanest to gain leisure; and, since thou art not 
   sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for 
   doing something useful; this leisure the diligent man will 
   obtain, but the lazy man never; so that, as Poor Richard says, 
   a life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. Do you 
   imagine that sloth will afford you more comfort than labor? No, 
   for as Poor Richard says, trouble springs from idleness, and 
   grievous toil from needless ease. Many without labor would live 
   by their wits only, but they break for want of stock. Whereas 
   industry gives comfort, and plenty, and respect: fly pleasures, 
   and they'll follow you. The diligent spinner has a large shift, 
   and now I have a sheep and a cow, everybody bids me good 
   morrow, all which is well said by Poor Richard. "But with our 
   industry, we must likewise be steady, settled and careful, and 
   oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust too 
   much to others; for, as Poor Richard says, I never saw an oft 
   removed tree, Nor yet an oft removed family, That throve so 
   well as those that settled be. "And again, three removes is as 
   bad as a fire, and again, keep the shop, and thy shop will keep 
   thee; and again, if you would have your business done, go; if 
   not, send. And again, He that by the plough would thrive, 
   Himself must either hold or drive. "And again, the eye of a 
   master will do more work than both his hands; and again, want 
   of care does us more damage than want of knowledge; and again, 
   not to oversee workmen is to leave them your purse open. 
   Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many; for, as 
   the almanac says, in the affairs of this world men are saved 
   not by faith, but by the want of it; but a man's own care is 
   profitable; for, saith Poor Dick, learning is to the studious, 
   and riches to the careful, as well as power to the bold, and 
   Heaven to the virtuous. And farther, if you would have a 
   faithful servant, and one that you like, serve yourself. And 
   again, he adviseth to circumspection and care, even in the 
   smallest matters, because sometimes a little neglect may breed 
   great mischief; adding, for want of a nail the shoe was lost; 
   for want of a shoe the horse was lost, and for want of a horse 
   the rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the enemy, all 
   for want of care about a horse-shoe nail. "So much for 
   industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business; but 
   to these we must add frugality, if we would make our industry 
   more certainly successful. A man may, if he knows not how to 
   save as he gets, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone, 
   and die not worth a groat at last. A fat kitchen makes a lean 
   will, as Poor Richard says; and, Many estates are spent in the 
   getting, Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting, And 
   men for punch forsook hewing and splitting. If you would be 
   wealthy, says he, in another almanac, think of saving as well 
   as of getting: the Indies have not made Spain rich, because her 
   outgoes are greater than her incomes. Away then with your 
   expensive follies, and you will not have so much cause to 
   complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families; 
   for, as Poor Dick says, Women and wine, game and deceit, Make 
   the wealth small, and the wants great. And farther, what 
   maintains one vice, would bring up two children. You may think 
   perhaps that a little tea, or a little punch now and then, diet 
   a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little 
   entertainment now and then, can be no great Matter; but 
   remember what Poor Richard says, many a little makes a mickle, 
   and farther, beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink 
   a great ship, and again, who dainties love, shall beggars 
   prove, and moreover, fools make Feasts, and wise men eat them. 
   "Here you are all got together at this vendue of fineries and 
   knicknacks. You call them goods, but if you do not take care, 
   they will prove evils to some of you.You expect they will be 
   sold cheap, and perhaps they may for less than they cost; but 
   if you have no occasion for them, they must be dear to you. 
   Remember what Poor Richard says, buy what thou hast no need of, 
   and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries. And again, at a 
   great pennyworth pause a while: he means, that perhaps the 
   cheapness is apparent only, and not real; or the bargain, by 
   straitning thee in thy business, may do thee more harm than 
   good. For in another place he says, many have been ruined by 
   buying good pennyworths. Again, Poor Richard says, 'tis foolish 
   to lay our money in a purchase of repentance; and yet this 
   folly is practised every day at vendues, for want of minding 
   the almanac. Wise men, as Poor Dick says, learn by others' 
   harms, fools scarcely by their own, but, felix quem faciunt 
   aliena pericula cautum. Many a one, for the sake of finery on 
   the back, have gone with a hungry belly, and half starved their 
   families; silks and satins, scarlet and velvets, as Poor 
   Richard says, put out the kitchen fire. These are not the 
   necessaries of life; they can scarcely be called the 
   conveniencies, and yet only because they look pretty, how many 
   want to have them. The artificial wants of mankind thus become 
   more numerous than the natural; and, as Poor Dick says, for one 
   poor person, there are an hundred indigent. By these, and other 
   extravagancies, the genteel are reduced to poverty, and forced 
   to borrow of those whom they formerly despised, but who through 
   industry and frugality have maintained their standing; in which 
   case it appears plainly, that a ploughman on his legs is higher 
   than a gentleman on his knees, as Poor Richard says. Perhaps 
   they have had a small estate left them, which they knew not the 
   getting of; they think 'tis day, and will never be night; that 
   a little to be spent out of so much, is not worth minding; (a 
   child and a fool, as Poor Richard says, imagine twenty 
   shillings and twenty years can never be spent) but, always 
   taking out of the meal-tub, and never putting in, soon comes to 
   the bottom; then, as Poor Dick says, when the well's dry, they 
   know the worth of water. But this they might have known before, 
   if they had taken his advice; if you would know the value of 
   money, go and try to borrow some, for, he that goes a borrowing 
   goes a sorrowing, and indeed so does he that lends to such 
   people, when he goes to get it in again. Poor Dick farther 
   advises, and says, Fond pride of dress, is sure a very curse; 
   E'er fancy you consult, consult your purse. And again, pride is 
   as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy. When you 
   have bought one fine thing you must buy ten more, that your 
   appearance may be all of a piece; but Poor Dick says, 'tis 
   easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that 
   follow it. And 'tis as truly folly for the poor to ape the 
   rich, as for the frog to swell, in order to equal the ox. Great 
   estates may venture more, But little boats should keep near 
   shore. 'Tis however a folly soon punished; for pride that dines 
   on vanity sups on contempt, as Poor Richard says. And in 
   another place, pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with 
   poverty, and supped with infamy. And after all, of what use is 
   this pride of appearance, for which so much is risked, so much 
   is suffered? It cannot promote health; or ease pain; it makes 
   no increase of merit in the person, it creates envy, it hastens 
   misfortune. What is a butterfly? At best He's but a caterpillar 
   dressed. The gaudy fop's his picture just, as Poor Richard 
   says. "But what madness must it be to run in debt for these 
   superfluities! We are offered, by the terms of this vendue, six 
   months' credit; and that perhaps has induced some of us to 
   attend it, because we cannot spare the ready money, and hope 
   now to be fine without it. But, ah, think what you do when you 
   run in debt; you give to another power over your liberty. If 
   you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see your 
   creditor; you will be in fear when you speak to him, you will 
   make poor pitiful sneaking excuses, and by degrees come to lose 
   you veracity, and sink into base downright lying; for, as Poor 
   Richard says, the second vice is lying, the first is running in 
   debt. And again to the same purpose, lying rides upon debt's 
   back. Whereas a freeborn Englishman ought not to be ashamed or 
   afraid to see or speak to any man living. But poverty often 
   deprives a man of all spirit and virtue: 'tis hard for an empty 
   bag to stand upright, as Poor Richard truly says. What would 
   you think of that Prince, or that government, who should issue 
   an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or a 
   gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you 
   not say, that you are free, have a right to dress as you 
   please, and that such an edict would be a breach of your 
   privileges, and such a government tyrannical? And yet you are 
   about to put yourself under that tyranny when you run in debt 
   for such dress! Your creditor has authority at his pleasure to 
   deprive you of your liberty, by confining you in gaol for life, 
   or to sell you for a servant, if you should not be able to pay 
   him! When you have got your bargain, you may, perhaps, think 
   little of payment; but creditors, Poor Richard tells us, have 
   better memories than debtors, and in another place says, 
   creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days 
   and times. The day comes round before you are aware, and the 
   demand is made before you are prepared to satisfy it. Or if you 
   bear your debt in mind, the term which at first seemed so long, 
   will, as it lessens, appear extreamly short. Time will seem to 
   have added wings to his heels as well as shoulders. Those have 
   a short Lent, saith Poor Richard, who owe money to be paid at 
   Easter. Then since, as he says, the borrower is a slave to the 
   lender, and the debtor to the creditor, disdain the chain, 
   preserve your freedom; and maintain your independency: be 
   industrious and free; be frugal and free. At present, perhaps, 
   you may think yourself in thriving circumstances, and that you 
   can bear a little extravagance without injury; but, For age and 
   want, save while you may; No morning sun lasts a whole day, as 
   Poor Richard says. Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but 
   ever while you live, expense is constant and certain; and 'tis 
   easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel, as Poor 
   Richard says. So rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt. 
   Get what you can, and what you get hold; 'Tis the stone that 
   will turn all your lead into gold, as Poor Richard says. And 
   when you have got the philosopher's stone, sure you will no 
   longer complain of bad times, or the difficulty of paying 
   taxes. "This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but 
   after all, do not depend too much upon your own industry, and 
   frugality, and prudence, though excellent things, for they may 
   all be blasted without the blessing of heaven; and therefore 
   ask that blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that 
   at present seem to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember 
   Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperous. "And now to 
   conclude, experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn 
   in no other, and scarce in that, for it is true, we may give 
   advice, but we cannot give conduct, as Poor Richard says: 
   however, remember this, they that won't be counseled, can't be 
   helped, as Poor Richard says: and farther, that if you will not 
   hear reason, she'll surely rap your knuckles." Thus the old 
   gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and approved 
   the doctrine, and immediately practiced the contrary, just as 
   if it had been a common sermon; for the vendue opened, and they 
   began to buy extravagantly, notwithstanding all his cautions, 
   and their own fear of taxes. I found the good man had 
   thoroughly studied my almanacs, and digested all I had dropped 
   on those topics during the course of five-and-twenty years. The 
   frequent mention he made of me must have tired any one else, 
   but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it, though I was 
   conscious that not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own which 
   he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings I had made of the 
   sense of all ages and nations. However, I resolved to be the 
   better for the echo of it; and though I had at first determined 
   to buy stuff for a new coat, I went away resolved to wear my 
   old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy 
   profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever, thine to serve 
   thee, Richard Saunders. July 7, 1757. 





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