Page:Way to wealth (2).pdf/13

13 What would you think of that prince, or of that government, who should issue an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude ? Would you not say, that you were free, have a right to dress as you please, and that such an edict would be a breach of your privileges, and such a government tyrannical ? And yet, you are about to put yourself under that tyranny, when you run in debt for such dress ! Your creditor has authority, at his pleasure, to deprive you of your liberty, by confining you in jail for life, or by selling you for a servant, if you should not be able to pay him.

When you have got your bargain, you may, perhaps, think little of payment ; but " Creditors (poor Richard tells us,) have better memories than debtors ;" and in another place, he says, “ Creditors are a superstitious set, great observers of set days and times.”

The day comes round before you are aware, and the demand is made before you are prepared to satisfy it, or, if you bear your debt in mind, the term which at first seemed so long, will, as it lessens, appear extremely short ; time will seem to have added wings to his heels as well as his shoulders.

" Those have a short Lent (saith poor Richard,) who owe money to be paid at Easter." Then since, as he says, " The borrower is a slave to the lender, and the debtor to the creditor ;" disdain the chain, preserve your freedom, and maintain your independence ; be industrious and free, be frugal and free.

At present, perhaps, you may think yourselves in thriving circumstances, and that you can bear a little extravagance without injury ; but

" For age and want save what you may

No morning sun lasts a whole day,"

as poor Richard says. Gain may be temporary and uncertain ; but, ever while you live, expense is constant and certain : and " It is easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel," as poor Richard says. So, “ Rather go to bed supper-less than rise in debt."

" Get what you can, and what you get hold,

'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold,"

as poor Richard says. And when you have got the philosopher's stone, sure you will no longer complain of bad times, or the difficulty of paying taxes.

This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom ; but, after all, do not depend too much on your own industry, and