Page:Way to wealth, or, Poor Richard's maxims improved.pdf/5

 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

So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times ? We make these times better if we bestir ourselves. "Industry needs not wish,” as poor Richard says; and,

“There are no gains without pains ; then help hands, for I have no lands; or if I have, they are smartly taxed; and, (as poor Richard likewise observes,) He that hath a trade hath an estate; and he that hath a calling hath an office of profit and honour;" 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, as poor Richard says, "At the working