Before trusting a man, before putting it in his power to cause you a loss, possess yourself of every available information relative to him. Learn his history, his habits, inclinations and propensities; his reputation for honesty, industry, frugality, and punctuality; his prospects, resources, supports, advantages and disadvantages; his intentions and motives of action; who are his friends and enemies, and what are his good and bad qualities. You may learn a man's good qualities and advantages from his friends--his bad qualities and disadvantages from his enemies. Make due allowance for exaggeration in both. Finally, examine carefully before engaging in anything, and act with energy afterward. Have the hundred eyes of Argus beforehand, and the hundred hands of Briarius afterward. 576. MAXIMS BY DR. FRANKLIN ON THE WAY TO WEALTH God helps those who help themselves. Many words won't fill a bushel. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labour wears. The key often used is always bright. Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of. The sleeping fox catches no poultry. There will be time enough for sleep, 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. What we call time enough, always proves little enough. 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, lest 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, and he that hath a calling, hath an office of profit and honour; but the trade must be worked at, and the calling well followed, or neither will enable us to pay our taxes. The drone in the hive makes no honey. At the working man's house hunger looks in, but does not enter. Industry pays debts, but despair increaseth them. Diligence is the mother of good luck. God gives all things to industry. Plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you will have corn to sell and to keep. One today is worth two tomorrow. 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. The cat in gloves catches no mice. Light strokes fell great oaks. By diligence and patience, the mouse ate into the cable. Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure; and since thou art not sure of a minute throw not away an hour. A life of leisure and a life of laziness, are two things. Troubles spring from idleness, and grievous toils from needless ease.