By these, and other extravagances, 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 I 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_ further advises, and says _Fond Pride of Dress is, sure, a very curse! Ere 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 drest! The gaudy fop's his picture just_. as _Poor RICHARD_ says. But what madness must it be, to _run into debt_ for these superfluities?