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And again, he adviseth to circumspection and care, even in the smallest matters ; because, sometimes, “A little neglect may breed great mischief; adding, "For want of a nail the shoe was lost ; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost;" being overtaken and slain by the enemy, all for want of care about a horse-shoe nail.
So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business; but to these we must add frugality, if we would make our industry more
certainly successful.
A man, may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, “ keep his nose all his life to the grindstone, and die not worth a groat at last." “A fat kitchen makes a lean will,” as poor Richard says ; and,
"Many estates are spent in the getting;
Since women forsook spinning and knitting.
And men for punch, forsook hewing and splitting."
"If you would be wealthy, (says he, in another almanack,) think of saving, as well as of getting; The Indians have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes are greater than her incomes."
Away, then, with your expensive follies, and you will not have much cause to complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families; for, as poor Richard says,
