Page:Works of the Late Doctor Benjamin Franklin (1793).djvu/199

189 Remember that ſix pounds a year is but a groat a day. For this little ſum (which may be daily waſted either in time or expence, unperceived), a man of credit may, on his own ſecurity, have the conſtant poſſeſſion and uſe of an hundred pounds. So much in ſtock, briſkly turned by an induſtrious man, produces great advantage.

Remember this ſaying, "The good paymaſter is lord of another man's purſe." He that is known to pay punctually and exactly to the time he promiſes, may at any time, and on any occaſion, raiſe all the money his friends can ſpare. This is ſometimes of great uſe. After induſtry and frugality, nothing contributes more to the raiſing of a young man in the world, than punctuality and juſtice in all his dealings: therefore never keep borrowed money an hour beyond the time you promiſed, left a diſappointment ſhut up your friend's purſe for ever. The moſt trifling actions that affect a man's credit are to be regarded. The ſound of your hammer at five in the morning, or nine at night, heard by a creditor, makes him eaſy ſix months longer: but if he ſees you at a billiard table, or hears your voice at a tavern, when you ſhould be at work, he ſends for his money the next day; demands it before he can receive it in a lump.

It ſhews, beſides, that you are mindful of what you owe; it makes you appear a careful, as well as an honeſt man, and that ſtill increaſes your credit.

Beware of thinking all your own that you poſſeſs, and of living accordingly. It is a miſtake that many people who have credit fall into. To prevent this, keep an exact account, for ſome time, both of your expences and your