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may think yourselves in thriving circumstances, and that you can bear a little extravagance without injury; but
"For age and want save while you may,
"No morning-fun lasts a whole day."
Gain may be temporary and uncertain; but ever, while you live, expence is constant and certain; and, "It is easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel," as Poor Richard says: So, "Rather go to bed supper-less, than rise in debt."
"Get what you can, and what you get, hold;
"Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold."
And when you have got the philosopher's stone, sure you will no longer complain of bad times, or the difficulty of paying taxes.
This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom. But, after all, do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality, and prudence, though excellent things, for they may all be blasted, without the blessing of Hea-
