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 Father Abraham, what think you of the times? Will not these heavy taxes quite ruin the country? How shall we be ever able to pay them? What would you advise us to?Father Abraham stood up, and replied, If you would have my advice, I will give it you in short; "for a word to the wife is enough," as Poor Richard says. They joined in desiring him to speak his mind, and gathering round him, he proceeded as follows:

Friends, (says he) the taxes are, indeed, very heavy; and, if those laid on by government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us: "God helps them that help themselves," as Poor Richard says.

It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one tenth part of their time,