The Life of Benjamin Franklin: With Many Choice Anecdotes and admirable sayings of this great man never before published by any of his biographers — John Locke — John Shaqi
The Life of Benjamin Franklin: With Many Choice Anecdotes and admirable sayings of this great man never before published by any of his biographers
John Locke · en
So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times? we may make
these times better, if we bestir ourselves. "Industry need not wish,
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. "He that hath a trade, hath an estate; and he that
hath a calling, hath an office of profit and honour," as poor Richard
says; 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 will never starve; for 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, while
despair increaseth them." What, though you have found no treasure, nor
has any rich relation left you a legacy, "diligence is the mother of
good luck, and 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 to-day, for you know not how much you may be
hindered to-morrow. One to-day is worth two to-morrows," as poor
Richard says; and farther, "never leave that till to-morrow, which you
can do 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 when there is so much to be done for
yourself, your family, your relations, and your country. 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 "constant dropping wears away stones; and by
diligence and patience the mouse ate in two the cable; and little
strokes fell great oaks."
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; for, a life of leisure and a life of laziness are two
things. Many, without labour 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 will follow you. The diligent
spinner has a large shift; and now I have a sheep and a cow, every body
bids me good-morrow."
II. 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."