Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-08-09

Il
1t is easier to suppress the first desire, than
to satisfy all that follow it !; and it is as
/ truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as
for the frog to swell in order to equal the
OK.
Vessels large may venture more;
But little boats should keep near shore.
1t is, hoWever,-a folly soon punished +
for, as poor Richard says, pride that dimes
on vanity, sups on contempt. Pride break
tasted with plenty, dined with poverty, and
supped with infamy. And after all, off
what erse is this pride of appearance, for
which so much is risked and suffered? It'll
cannot promote health, nor ease pain; It'll
makes no increase of merit in the person
it creates envy; it hastens misfortune. i
But what madness must 1t be TO 'fu1-f
into debt for these superfuities i We are
offered, by the terms of this sale, Six months
credit and thatperhaps, has induced some
of US to attend it, because we cannot spare
the ready money, and hope now to be fine
without it. But ah ! think what you do
when you run into debit You give to
another power over your own liberty. If
you cannot pay at the time, you will be
ashamed to see your creditor; you will be
in fear when you speak to him. you will
makepoor, pitiful, sneaking excuses, and by
degrees come to lose your veracity, and
sink into base, downright lying; for the
second vice is lying, when the first is run
ming into debt as poor Richard says and
again to the same purpose, lying rides upon
debts back whereas, free-born Ameri-
can ought not to be ashamed, nor afraid to
see or to speak to any man living. But
/ poverty often deprives a man Of all spirit
and virtue. It is hard for an empty sack
to stand upright
What would you think of that prince,
or OF that government, that should issue an
edict forbidding you to dress like gentle
man, or gentlewoman, on pain oflimpris-
onment or servitude :? Would you not say
that you were free, had right to dress as
you please, and that such an edict would
be breach of your privileges, and such a
!, government tyranical? And yet you are
about to put yourself under such tyranny
when you run into debt for such dress
Your creditor has authority at his pleasure
to deprive you of your liberty, by confnin2
you in Jail till you shall be able to pay
/. him. When you have got your bargain
l you may perhaps think little of payment
but as poor Richard says, creditors hav,
better memories than debtors CREDITOR
!, are superstitious sect, great observers o
!. set days and times. The day comes rount
before you are aware, and the demand i
I made before you are prepared to satisfy it
scefned1 50 10ng,a win, ;fs !
lessons, appear extremely short. Time will
seem to have added wings to his. heels, a
| well as to his shoulders Those have
short Lent, who owe money to be paid a
Easter. At present you may perhaps thinl
yourselves in thriving circumstances, an,
that you can bear a little extravaganza with
, out injury; but
!, For age and want save while you may;
No morning sun lasts whole day.
Gain may be temporary and uncertain
but ever while you live expense is constan
y and certain it is easier to build two chin
neys than to keep one in fuel, as poor Rict
: ard says; so rather 60 to bed supperles
: than rise in debt
Get what you can, and what you get, hold,
'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into go
And when you have got this philosc
: : piers stone, you will surely no longe
y complain Of bad times, or the difficulty {
;, paying taxes.
U ". This doctrine, my friends, is reaso
: . and wisdom; but after all, do not depen
II too much upon your own industry, frugal
y ty, and prudence, though excellent things
~ :. for they may all be blasted, without Il
81 blessing Of heaven; and therefore, ask tn;
y blessing humbly, and be not uncharitab
~ to those that at present seem to want
Is but comfort and help them. Remembe
= - Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperou
y And now to conclude, experience kee7
~ dear school, but fools will learn in
= other, as poor Richard says, and scarce
y in that; for it is true-we may give advic
rs 10 but we cannot give conduct. Howeve
u u remember this: They that will not
- counselled, cannot be helped and furthe
= that if you will not hear reason, she W
y = surely rap your knuckles, as poor Richa
Il says.
II