"
They all joined him and desired him to speak his mind;
and gathering them around him, he proceeded as follows:
Friends, says he, and neighbors! The taxes are indeed very heavy;
and if those laid on by the Government were the only ones we had to pay,
we might the more easily discharge them; but we have many others,
and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our
idleness, three times as much by our 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 helps
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 amounts to nothing. Sloth, by bringing on disease,
absolutely shortens life. Sloth, _like Rust, consumes faster than
Labor_ wean; while _the used keg is always bright,_ as POOR RICHARD
says.
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