e 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 can not 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.

"I. It would be thought a hard government that would tax its people one
tenth part of their time to be employed in its service; but idleness
taxes many of us much more; sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely
shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears; while
the used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love
life? then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of,
as Poor Richard says. How much more than is necessary do we spend in
sleep, forgetting that The sleeping fox catches no poultry, and that
There will be sleeping enough in the grave? as Poor Richard says.

"If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be, as
Poor Richard says, the greatest prodigality, since, as he elsewhere
tells us, Lost time is never found again, and what we call time enough
always proves little enough. Let us, then, be up and doing, and doing to
the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity.
Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all ease; 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.
Drive thy business, let not that drive thee; and, Early to bed and early
to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise, as Poor Richard says.

"So, what signifies wishing and hoping for better times? We make these
times better if we bestir ourselves. Industry need not wish, and he that
lives upon hopes will die fasting. There are no gains without pains;
then help, hands, for I have no lands; or, if I have, they are smartly
taxed. He that hath a trade hath an estate; and he that hath a calling
hath an office of profit and honor, as Poor Richard says; but then the
trade must be worked at, and the calling followed, or neither the estate
nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are industrious we
shall never starve; for, At the workingman's house Hunger looks in but
dares not enter; for, Industry pays debts, while despair increases them.
What though you have no treasure, nor has any rich relation left you a
legacy;