’Tis true there is much to be done; and perhaps you are weak handed; but stick to it steadily! and you will see great effects, For Constant dropping wears away stones, and By diligence and patience, the mouse ate in two the cable, and little strokes fell great oaks; as Poor RICHARD says in his Almanac, the year I cannot, just now, remember.

Methinks, I hear some of you say, “Must a man afford himself no leisure?”

I will tell thee, my friend! what Poor RICHARD says.

    Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure! and
    Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour!

Leisure is time for doing something useful.  This leisure the diligent man will obtain; but the lazy man never.  So that, as Poor RICHARD says, A life of leisure, and a life of laziness are two things.  Do you imagine that Sloth will afford you more comfort than Labour?  No! for as Poor RICHARD says, Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.  Many without labour, would live by their Wits only; but they’ll break, for want of Stock [i.e., Capital].  Whereas Industry gives comfort, and plenty, and respect. Fly Pleasures! and they’ll follow you!  The diligent spinner has a large shift, and

    Now I have a sheep and a cow
    Everybody bids me “Good morrow."

All which is well said by Poor RICHARD.

But with our Industry; we must likewise be Steady, Settled, and Careful:  and oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust too much to others.  For, as Poor RICHARD says,

    I never saw an oft removed tree,
    Nor yet an oft removed family,
    That throve so well, as those that settled be.

And again, Three Removes are as bad as a Fire; and again Keep thy shop! and thy shop will keep thee! and again, If you would have your business done, go! if not, send! and again,

    He that by the plough would thrive;
    Himself must either hold or drive.

And again, The Eye of the master will do more work than both his Hands; and again, Want of Care does us more damage than Want of Knowledge; and again, Not to oversee workmen, is to leave them your purse open.

Trusting too much to others’ care, is the ruin of many.  For, as the Almanac says, In the affairs of this world, men are saved, not by faith, but by the want of it.  But a man’s own care is profitable; for, saith Poor DICK, Learning is to the Studious, and Riches to the Careful; as well as Power to the Bold, and Heaven to the Virtuous.  And further, If you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like; serve yourself!

And again, he adviseth to circumspection and care, even in the smallest matters; because sometimes, A little neglect may breed great mischief; adding, For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost; and for want of a horse, the rider was lost; being overtaken, and slain by the enemy.  All for want of care about a horse-shoe nail.