Page:Way to wealth (2).pdf/9

9 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 into the cable ; and light strokes fell great oaks," as poor Richard says in his Almanack, the year I cannot just now remember.

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 sinee 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."

Do you imagine that sloth will afford you more comfort than labour ? No ; for, as poor Richard says, " Troubles spring from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease." Many without labour would live by their own wits only ; but they break for want of stock ; " Whereas industry gives comfort, and plenty, and respect." " Fly pleasures, and they'll follow you ; the diligent spinner has a large shift ; and now I have a large shift ; and now I have a sheep and a cow, every body hids me good morrow ;" all which is well said by poor Riehard.

But, with our industry, we must likewise be steady, settled, and careful, and oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and never 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 are 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 plough would thrive,

Himself must either hold or drive."

And again, “ The eye of a 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' eare is the ruin of many ; for, as the Almanack says, " In the affairs of the world, men are