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5. In all your affairs of moment, look after ⟨your⟩ business yourself if you wish them to succeed.
6. Be always sparing, that you may still ⟨have⟩ wherewithal to spend.
7. Never spend presently, in hopes of ⟨gaining⟩ for the future: wise merchants, while their ⟨goods⟩ are at sea, do not increase their expences on ⟨land⟩ but fearing the worst, secure what they have ⟨already⟩ in their hands.
8. Never buy but with ready-money; and ⟨but⟩ where you find things cheap and good rather ⟨than⟩ for friendship or acquaintance sake; for they perhaps may take it unkind, if you will not let ⟨them⟩ cheat you. For you may get experience. if nothing else by going from one shop to another.
9. Be ready to give a good advice to all, ⟨but⟩ be security for none. And if a friend or relation press you to it, refuse it, and rather, if you can lend him money upon another's bond.
10. Let not thy table exceed the fourth ⟨part⟩ of thy revenue. And let thy provisions be solid and not far fetched; fuller of substance than art. Be wisely frugal in thy preparation, and freely cheerful in thy entertainment. Too much is vanity and enough is a feast.
11. If thou wouldst in a little time arrive to worldly preferment, be very industrious in the calling, be what it will; that which is by sparing saved, may be with diligence improved. It hath been observed, that it is not less gainful to navigate in a small vessel, which makes quick and frequent returns, that in that which returns, but seldom, though deeply laden. Therefore Solomon directs the sluggard to go to the bee and ant; which infirm creatures plainly shew, how much the assiduity of industrious labour can effect.
