morning sun lasts a whole day.

[5] At the time when this was written, and for many years
afterward, the laws against bankrupts and poor debtors were
extremely severe.

As Poor Richard says, gain may be temporary and uncertain; but ever,
while you live, expense is constant and certain; and _'Tis easier to
build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel_, as Poor Richard says;
so, _Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt._

Get what you can and what you get hold:
'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead in gold,[6]

as Poor Richard says; and, while you have got the Philosopher's stone,
sure, you will no longer complain of bad times or the difficulty of
paying taxes.

[6] In the Middle Ages there was a great search made for the
philosopher's stone, as it was called, a mineral which should
have the power of turning base metals into gold.

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 Heaven; and therefore, ask that blessing humbly, and be not
uncharitable to those that at present seem to want it, but comfort and
help them. Remember Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperous.

And now, to conclude, _Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will
learn in no other, and scarce in that_; for it is true, _We may give
advice, but we cannot give conduct_, as Poor Richard says. However,
remember this, _They that won't be counselled, can't be helped_, as
Poor Richard says; and further, that, _If you will not hear reason,
she'll surely rap your knuckles._

Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and
approved the doctrine; and immediately practiced the contrary, just as
if it had been a common sermon. For the vendue opened, and they began
to buy extravagantly, notwithstanding all his cautions, and their own
fear of taxes. I found the good man had thoroughly studied my
_Almanacs_, and digested all I had dropped on those topics during the
course of five-and-twenty-years. The frequent mention he made of me
must have tired any one else; but my vanity was wonderfully delighted
with it, though I was conscious that not a tenth part of the wisdom was
my own which he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings that I had
made of the sense of all ages and nations. However, I resolved to be
the be