By these, and other extravagances, the genteel are reduced to poverty, and forced to borrow of those whom they formerly despised; but who, through Industry and Frugality, have maintained their standing.  In which case, it appears plainly that A ploughman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees, as Poor RICHARD says.  Perhaps they have had a small estate left them, which they knew not the getting of.  They think ’tis day! and will never be night!; that a little to be spent out of so much I is not worth minding (A Child and a Fool, as Poor RICHARD says, imagine Twenty Shillings and Twenty Years can never be spent):  but always taking out of the meal tub, and never putting in, soon comes to the bottom.  Then, as Poor DICK says, When the well’s dry, they know the worth of water! but this they might have known before, if they had taken his advice. If you would know the value of money; go, and try to borrow some! For, he that goes a borrowing, goes a sorrowing! and indeed, so does he that lends to such people, when he goes to get it in again!

Poor DICK further advises, and says

    Fond Pride of Dress is, sure, a very curse! 
    Ere Fancy you consult; consult your purse!

And again, Pride is as loud a, beggar as Want, and a great deal more saucy! When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more, that your appearance may be all of a piece; but Poor DICK says, ’Tis easier to suppress the First desire, than to satisfy All that follow it.  And ’tis as truly folly, for the poor to ape the rich; as for the frog to swell, in order to equal the ox.

    Great Estates may venture more;
    But little boats should keep near shore!

’Tis, however, a folly soon punished! for Pride that dines on Vanity, sups on Contempt, as Poor RICHARD says.  And in another place. Pride breakfasted with Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped with Infamy.

And, after all, of what use is this Pride of Appearance? for which so much is risked, so much is suffered!  It cannot promote health or ease pain!  It makes no increase of merit in the person!  It creates envy!  It hastens misfortune!

    What is a butterfly?  At best
    He’s but a caterpillar drest! 
    The gaudy fop’s his picture just.

as Poor RICHARD says.

But what madness must it be, to run into debt for these superfluities?

We are offered, by the terms of this Vendue, Six Months’ Credit; and that, perhaps, 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 in debt? You give to another, power over your 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