The Christian Council on Education, Inc. CCE National/International Accreditation/Certification

The Old Man's Doctrine For Success: Work is Victory!

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 politicians 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.
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. Idleness, by bringing on disease, absolutely shortens life. Idleness, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears; while the used key is always bright, But those that love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.
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. If times be of all things the most precious, wasting of time must be the greatest prodigality; since, as further stated, tells us, lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough! always proves little enough. Let us then get up and be doing, and doing to the purpose; so, by diligence, shall we do more with less perplexity. Idleness, laziness, inactivity, and just plain sloth makes all things difficult, but industry and work all things easy, and He that rises late must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night; while laziness travels so slowly that Poverty soon overtakes him, and I add, Drive the business! Let not that drive you! and early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. Yes, Work is Victory!
So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times? We may make these times better if we bestir ourselves. Industry need not wish, and we for the politicians promise of hope. He that lives on the politicians promise of hope will die fasting. Wake up! There are no gains without pains; then help, hands! for I have no lands; or if I have they are smartly taxed. And, as I likewise observe, He that had a necessary trade had an estate, and he that had a calling had 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 are industrious we shall never starve; nor held under the politicians thumb as the promise of hope would have it, "At the working-man's house hunger looks in, but dares not enter". Nor will the bailiff, taxman, bureaucrat, or sheriff enter, for Industry pays debts, while despair increases them.