The Life of Benjamin Franklin, Illustrated by Tales, Sketches, and AnecdotesGoodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
History
The Life of Benjamin Franklin, Illustrated by Tales, Sketches, and Anecdotes
Goodrich, Samuel G. (Samuel Griswold)
Franklin, Benjamin, 1706-1790; Statesmen -- United States -- Biography
"So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times? We make these
times better if we bestir ourselves. 'Industry needs not wish,' as
poor Richard says; '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 or
the constable enter; for, 'Industry pays debts, but despair increaseth
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 will have
corn to sell and to keep,' says poor Dick. Work while it is called
to-day; for you know not how much you may be hindered to-morrow; which
makes poor Richard say, 'One to-day is worth two to-morrows;' and,
further, 'Have you somewhat to do to-morrow, do it to-day.' '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, 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. It is 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 continual dropping wears away
stones, and by diligence and patience the mouse ate into the cable;
and 'light strokes fell great oaks,' as poor Richard says in his
Almanac, the year I cannot just now remember.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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