ur PRIDE and four times as much by
our FOLLY; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot 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 in his _Almanac_ of 1733.

It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people
one-tenth part of their TIME, to be employed in its service, but
idleness taxes many of us much more, if we reckon all that is spent in
absolute sloth, or doing of nothing, with that which is spent in idle
employments or amusements that amount to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on
disease, 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's
the stuff life is made of_, as Poor Richard says.

How much more that 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 times be of all things
the most precious, _wasting of 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 up and be doing, and doing to the purpose;
so, by diligence, shall we do more with less perplexity. _Sloth makes
all things difficult, but industry all things easy_, as Poor Richard
says; 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_, as we read in Poor Richard; who adds,
_Drive thy business! Let not that drive thee!_ and

Early to bed and early to rise
Makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

So what signifies _wishing_ and _hoping_ for better times? We may make
these times better if we bestir ourselves. _Industry need not wish_, as
Poor Richard says, and _He that lives on hope 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. And, as Poor Richard likewise
observes, _He that hath a trade hath an estate, and he that hath a
calling hath an honor_; but then the trade must be worked at, and the
calling well followed, or neither the estate nor the office will enable
us to pay our taxes. If we a