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
2. Fishermen, for the same reason.
3. Merchants and traders in unarmed ships, who accommodate
different nations by communicating and exchanging the necessaries
and conveniences of life.
4. Artists and mechanics, inhabiting and working in open towns.
It is hardly necessary to add that the hospitals of enemies should be
unmolested; they ought to be assisted. It is for the interest of
humanity in general, that the occasions of war, and the inducements to
it, should be diminished. If rapine be abolished, one of the
encouragements to war is taken away; and peace, therefore, more likely
to continue and be lasting.
The practice of robbing merchants on the high seas--a remnant of the
ancient piracy--though it may be accidentally beneficial to particular
persons, is far from being profitable to all engaged in it, or to the
nation that authorizes it. In the beginning of a war, some rich ships
are surprised and taken. This encourages the first adventurers to fit
out more armed vessels; and many others to do the same. But the enemy
at the same time become more careful, arm their merchant ships better,
and render them not so easy to be taken; they go also more under the
protection of convoys. Thus, while the privateers to take them are
multiplied, the vessels subjected to be taken and the chances of
profit are diminished; so that many cruises are made wherein the
expenses overgo the gains; and, as is the case in other lotteries,
though particulars have got prizes, the mass of adventurers are
losers, the whole expense of fitting out all the privateers during a
war being much greater than the whole amount of goods taken.
Then there is the national loss of all the labor of so many men during
the time they have been employed in robbing; who, besides, spend what
they get in riot, drunkenness, and debauchery; lose their habits of
industry; are rarely fit for any sober business after a peace, and
serve only to increase the number of highwaymen and house-breakers.
Even the undertakers who have been fortunate are, by sudden wealth,
led into expensive living, the habit of which continues when the means
of supporting it cease, and finally ruins them; a just punishment for
their having wantonly and unfeelingly ruined many honest, innocent
traders and their families, whose substance was employed in serving
the common interests of mankind.
THE WAY TO MAKE MONEY PLENTY IN EVERY MAN'S POCKET.
At this time, when the general complaint is that--"money is scarce,"
it will be an act of kindness to inform the moneyless how they may
reinforce their pockets. I will acquaint them with the true secret of
money-catching, the certain way to fill empty purses, and how to keep
them always full. Two simple rules, well observed, will do the
business.
First, Let honesty and industry be thy constant companions; and,
Secondly, Spend one penny less than thy clear gains.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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