Brave Men and Women | Page 4

says. How much more than is necessary do we spend in
sleep! forgetting that the sleeping fox catches no poultry, and that there
will be sleeping enough in the grave,' as Poor Richard says. 'If time be
of all things the most precious, wasting time must be,' as Poor Richard
says, 'the greatest prodigality;' since as he elsewhere tell us, 'Lost time
is never found again; and what we call time enough always proves little
enough.' Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the purpose, so by
diligence shall we do more with less perplexity. 'Sloth makes all things
difficult, but industry all easy, and he that riseth late must trot all day,
and shall scarce overtake his business at night; while laziness travels so
slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him. Drive thy business, let not that
drive thee; and early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy,
wealthy and wise,' as Poor Richard says.
"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 honor,' 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
shall never starve; for 'at the workingman'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 a legacy; 'Diligence is
the mother of good luck, and God gives all things to industry. Then
plow 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 country, and your king. 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 labor, 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.'
"And again, 'three removes is as bad as a fire;' and again, 'Keep thy
shop, and thy shop will keep thee;' and again, 'If you would have your
business done, go; if not, send;' and again,
"'He that by the plow would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive.'
And again, 'the eye of the master will do more work than both his
hands;' and again, 'Want of care does us more damage than want of
knowledge;' and again, 'Not to oversee workmen is to leave them your
purse open.' Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many; for,
'In the affairs of this world, men are saved,