I concluded at length, that the people were the best judges of my merit; for they buy my works:  and besides, in my rambles, where I am not personally known, I have frequently heard one or other of my Adages repeated, with “as Poor RICHARD says!” at the end of it.  This gave me some satisfaction, as it shewed, not only that my Instructions were regarded, but discovered likewise some respect for my Authority.  And I own, that to encourage the practice of remembering and repeating those wise Sentences:  I have sometimes quoted myself with great gravity.

Judge, then, how much I must have been gratified by an incident I am going to relate to you!

I stopped my horse lately, where a great number of people were collected at a Vendue [sale] of Merchant’s goods.  The hour of sale not being come, they were conversing on the badness of the Times:  and one of the company called to a clean old man, with white locks, “Pray, Father ABRAHAM! what do you think of the Times?  Won’t these heavy taxes quite ruin the country?  How shall we be ever able to pay them?  What would you advise us to?”

Father ABRAHAM stood up, and replied, “If you would have my advice; I will give it you, in short; for a word to the wise is enough, and many words won’t fill a bushel, as Poor RICHARD says.”

They all joined, desiring him to speak his mind; and gathering round him, he proceeded as follows: 

“Friends” says he, “and neighbours!  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 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 diseases, absolutely shortens life. Sloth, like Rust, consumes faster than Labour 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.