10
"Women and wine, game and deceit,
Make the wealth small, and the wants great."
And further, “What mantains one vice would bring up two children." You may think, perhaps, that a little punch, now and then, diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little entertainment now and then, can be no great matter; but remember what poor Richard says, "Many a little makes a meikle; and further, "Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship; and again, “Who dainties love, shall beggars prove; and moreover,
“Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them."
“Here you are all got together at this sale of fineries and nick-nacks. You call them GOODS; but, if you do not take care, they will prove EVILS to some of you. You expect they will be sold cheap, and perhaps they may, for less than they cost; but, if you have no occasion for them, they must be dear to you. Remember what poor Richard says, "buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries." And again, "at a great pennyworth pause a while." He means, that perhaps the cheapness is apparent only, and not real; or the bargain, by straitening thee in thy business, may do thee more harm than good. For in another place he says,
"Many have been ruined by buying good penny-worths."
