(From "Father Abraham's Speech," forming the preface to Poor Richard's Almanac for 1758.)
(From "Father Abraham's Speech." This is the preface to Poor Richard's Almanac for 1758.)
It would be thought a hard Government that should tax its People one-tenth Part of their Time, to be employed in its Service. But Idleness taxes many of us much more, if we reckon all that is spent in absolute Sloth, or doing of nothing, with that which is spent in idle Employments or Amusements, that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on Diseases, absolutely shortens Life. Sloth, like Rust, consumes faster than Labor wears; while the used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love Life, then do not squander Time, for that's the stuff Life is made of, as Poor Richard 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.
People would think it a harsh government that taxed its people one-tenth of their Time, to be spent in its service. But Idleness taxes many of us much more. That is, if we count both the time spent in absolute Sloth, or doing nothing, and the time spent on idle work or amusements that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, definitely shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears things out, while the used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. If you love life, then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more time than we need 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 tells 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, as Poor Richard says; 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, as we read in Poor Richard, who adds, Drive thy Business, let not that drive thee; and Early to Bed, and early to rise, makes a Man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
If time is the most precious of all things, wasting it must be, as Poor Richard says, the greatest prodigality. As he also tells us, lost time is never found again. He adds, what we call time enough always proves too little. So let us get up and get to work, and work with a purpose. By diligence we will accomplish more with less difficulty. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry makes them easy, as Poor Richard says. He also writes, he who rises late must trot all day and will hardly finish his work at night. Laziness moves so slowly that poverty soon catches up with him. We read this in Poor Richard, who adds, Drive thy Business, let not that drive thee. He also says, Early to bed, and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
Industry need not wish, and he that lives upon Hope will die fasting.
If you are industrious, you need not wish. He who lives on hope will die hungry.
There are no Gains without Pains.
There are no gains without effort.
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.
Whoever has a Trade has an Estate, and whoever has a Calling has an Office of Profit and Honor. But the Trade must be worked, and the Calling must be followed properly. Otherwise neither the Estate nor the Office will enable us to pay our taxes.
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.
Even if you have found no treasure, and no rich relative left you a legacy. Diligence is the Mother of Good-luck, as Poor Richard says. And God gives all Things to Industry.
One To-day is worth two To-morrows, and farther, Have you somewhat to do To-morrow, do it To-day.
One today is worth two tomorrows. Also, If you have something 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.
If you were a Servant, would you not be ashamed that a good Master should find you idle? Are you then your own Master, be ashamed to find yourself idle.
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.
Stick to it steadily. You will see great effects. Constant Dropping wears away Stones. By Diligence and Patience the Mouse ate in two the Cable. 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; so that, as Poor Richard says, A Life of Leisure and a Life of Laziness are two things.
I think I hear some of you say, Must a man allow himself no leisure? I will tell you, my friend, what Poor Richard says. Employ your time well if you mean to gain leisure. Since you are not sure of a minute, do not throw away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something useful. The diligent man will obtain this leisure, but the lazy man never will. So, as Poor Richard says, A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two different things.
Keep thy Shop, and thy Shop will keep thee; and again, If you would have your business done, go; if not, send.
Keep your shop, and your shop will keep you, and again, If you want your business done, go. If not, send.
If you would have a faithful Servant, and one that you like, serve yourself.
If you want a faithful servant you like, serve yourself.
A little Neglect may breed great Mischief: adding, for want of a Nail the Shoe was lost; for want of a Shoe the Horse was lost; and for want of a Horse the Rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the Enemy; all for the want of Care about a Horse-shoe Nail.
A little neglect can cause great mischief. For example, a single missing nail ruined the shoe. Without the shoe the horse was lost. Without the horse the rider was lost. He was overtaken and killed by the enemy. All this happened for lack of care about a horseshoe nail.
So much for Industry, my Friends, and Attention to one's own Business; but to these we must add Frugality.
So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business. But to these we must add Frugality.
What maintains one Vice, would bring up two Children. You may think perhaps, that a little Tea, or a little Punch now and then, Diet a little more costly, Clothes a little finer, and a little Entertainment now and then, can be no great Matter; but remember what Poor Richard says, Many a Little makes a Mickle.
What supports one vice would raise two children. Perhaps you think that a little tea, or a little punch now and then, a diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little entertainment now and then, can be no great matter. But remember what Poor Richard says: Many small amounts add up to a great deal.
Beware of little expenses; A small Leak will sink a great Ship; and again, Who Dainties love, shall Beggars prove; and moreover, Fools make Feasts, and wise Men eat them.
Beware of small expenses. A small leak can sink a great ship. And again, Those who love delicacies will become beggars. And moreover, Fools throw feasts, and wise men eat them.
Buy what thou hast no Need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy Necessaries.
Buy what you do not need. Before long you will have to sell your necessities.
If you would know the Value of Money, go and try to borrow some; for, he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.
If you want to know the value of money, try to borrow some. Whoever borrows brings himself sorrow.
The second Vice is Lying, the first is running in Debt.
The second vice is lying. The first is running into debt.
Lying rides upon Debt's Back.
Lying rides on the back of debt.
Poverty often deprives a Man of all Spirit and Virtue: 'Tis hard for an empty Bag to stand upright.
Poverty often robs a person of all spirit and virtue. It's hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
And now to conclude, Experience keeps a dear School, but Fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that; for it is true, we may give Advice, but we cannot give Conduct, as Poor Richard says: However, remember this, They that won't be counseled, can't be helped, as Poor Richard says: and farther, That if you will not hear Reason, she'll surely rap your Knuckles.
In conclusion, Experience keeps a dear School, but Fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that. It is true that we may give Advice, but we cannot give Conduct, as Poor Richard says. Remember this, They that won't be counseled, can't be helped, as Poor Richard says. And further, if you will not hear Reason, she'll surely rap your Knuckles.