Website owner: James Miller
The following is a selection of quotations and proverbs taken
from Benjamin Franklin's "The Way to Wealth". It constitutes an
edited version of The Way to Wealth where I have broken
up the text, separated out the main proverbs, re-presenting them for
easier reading. This is then followed by the original text.
James Miller
********************************************************************
The Way to Wealth: Industry plus Frugality
Selected proverbs and quotes
Benjamin Franklin
A word to the wise is enough, and many words won't fill a
bushel.
INDUSTRY, IDLENESS AND WASTE
The taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the
government were the only ones we had to pay, we might 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.
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. Sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely
shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor
wears, while the used key is always bright.
But dost thou love life, then do not squander time, for that's
the stuff life is made of.
How much more than 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 time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must
be the greatest prodigality.
Lost time is never found again, and what we call time-enough,
always proves little enough.
Let us then be up and be doing, and doing to the purpose; so by
diligence shall we do more with less perplexity.
Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy.
He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce
overtake his business at night.
Laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him.
Drive thy business, let not that it drive thee.
Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy
and wise.
Industry need not wish.
He that lives upon hope will die fasting.
There are no gains, without pains.
Help hands, for I have no lands.
He that hath a trade hath an estate.
He that hath a calling hath an office of profit and 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.
At the working man's house hunger looks in, but dares not
enter.
Industry pays debts, while despair increaseth them.
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
God gives all things to industry.
Then plough deep, while sluggards sleep, and you shall have
corn to sell and to keep.
Work while it is called today, for you know not how much you
may be hindered tomorrow.
One today is worth two tomorrows.
Have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today.
If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good
master should catch you idle? Are you then your own master, be
ashamed to catch yourself idle.
When there is so much to be done for yourself, your family,
your country, and your gracious king, be up by peep of day.
Handle your tools without mittens; remember that the cat in
gloves catches no mice.
'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.
Employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure.
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.
Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless
ease.
Industry gives comfort, and plenty, and respect.
Flee pleasures, and they'll follow you.
With our industry, we must be steady, settled and careful, and
oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust too
much to others.
I never saw an oft removed tree,
Nor yet an oft removed family,
That throve so well
As those that settled be.
Three removes is as bad as a fire.
Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee.
If you would have your business done, go; if not, send.
He that by the plough would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive.
The eye of a master will do more work than both his hands.
Want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge.
Not to oversee workmen is to leave them your purse open.
Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many.
In the affairs of this world men are saved not by faith, but by
the want of it.
A man's own care is profitable.
Learning is to the studious,
and riches to the careful.
Power to the bold,
and Heaven to the virtuous.
If you would have a faithful servant, and one that you like,
serve yourself.
Sometimes a little neglect may breed great mischief.
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.
FRUGALITY
A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his
nose all his life to the grindstone, and die not worth a groat
at last.
A fat kitchen makes a lean will.
Many estates are spent in the getting,
Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting,
And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting.
If you would be wealthy think of saving as well as of getting:
the Indies have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes are
greater than her incomes.
Women and wine,
game and deceit,
Make the wealth small,
and the wants great.
What maintains one vice, would bring up two children.
You may think perhaps that a little tea, or a little punch now
and then, diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer,
and a little entertainment now and then, can be no great
Matter; but remember what Poor Richard says, many a little
makes a mickle, and farther, beware of little expenses; a small
leak will sink a great ship.
Who dainties love, shall beggars prove.
Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them.
Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy
necessaries.
Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths.
Wise men learn by others' harms, fools scarcely by their own.
Many a one, for the sake of finery on the back, have gone with
a hungry belly, and half starved their families.
Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets, put out the kitchen
fire. ---These are not the necessaries of life; they can
scarcely be called the conveniencies, and yet only because they
look pretty, how many want to have them. The artificial wants
of mankind thus become more numerous than the natural; and, as
Poor Dick says, for one poor person, there are an hundred
indigent. By these, and other extravagancies, 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, 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 farther advises, and says, Fond
pride of dress, is sure a very curse; E'er 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 dressed. The gaudy
fop's his picture just, as Poor Richard says. But what madness
must it be to run in debt for these superfluities!
The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt.
Lying rides upon debt's back.
'tis hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
Creditors have better memories than debtors.
Creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days
and times.
The borrower is a slave to the lender.
For age and want, save while you may; No morning sun lasts a
whole day.
Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever while you live,
expense is constant and certain.
'tis easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel.
Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt.
Get what you can, and what you get hold.
'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold.
Do not depend too much upon your own industry, and frugality,
and prudence, though excellent things, for they may all be
blasted without the blessing of heaven; and therefore ask that
blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at
present seem to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember
Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperous.
We may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.
They that won't be counseled, can't be helped.
If you will not hear reason, she'll surely rap your knuckles.
___________________________________________________________________________
THE WAY TO WEALTH Full text
Benjamin Franklin
Courteous Reader, I have heard that nothing gives an author so
great pleasure, as to find his works respectfully quoted by
other learned authors. This pleasure I have seldom enjoyed; for
tho' I have been, if I may say it without vanity, an eminent
author of almanacs annually now a full quarter of a century, my
brother authors in the same way, for what reason I know not,
have ever been very sparing in their applauses; and no other
author has taken the least notice of me, so that did not my
writings produce me some solid pudding, the great deficiency of
praise would have quite discouraged me. 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 on't; this
gave me some satisfaction, as it showed 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 of merchant 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 plain
clean old man, with white locks, "Pray, Father Abraham, what
think you 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'd
have my advice, I'll 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 joined in desiring him to speak his mind,
and gathering round 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 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 labor 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. How much more than 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, as Poor Richard says. If time be of all things
the most precious, wasting time must be, as Poor Richard says,
the greatest prodigality, since, as he elsewhere tells us, lost
time is never found again, and what we call time-enough, always
proves little enough: let us then be up and be doing, and doing
to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less
perplexity. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all
easy, as Poor Richard says; and he that riseth late, must trot
all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night. While
laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him, as
we read in Poor Richard, who adds, drive thy business, let not
that drive thee; and early to bed, and early to rise, makes a
man healthy, wealthy and wise. "So what signifies wishing and
hoping for better times. We may make these times better if we
bestir ourselves. Industry need not wish, as Poor Richard says,
and he that lives upon hope will die fasting. There are no
gains, without pains, then help hands, for I have no lands, or
if I have, they are smartly taxed. And, as Poor Richard
likewise observes, he that hath a trade hath an estate, and he
that hath a calling hath an office of profit and 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;
for, as Poor Richard says, at the working man's house hunger
looks in, but dares not enter. Nor will the bailiff nor the
constable enter, for industry pays debts, while despair
encreaseth them, says Poor Richard. What though you have found
no treasure, nor has any rich relation left you a legacy,
diligence is the mother of good luck, as Poor Richard says, and
God gives all things to industry. Then plough deep, while
sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep,
says Poor Dick. Work while it is called today, for you know not
how much you may be hindered tomorrow, which makes Poor Richard
say, one today is worth two tomorrows; and farther, have you
somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today. If you were a servant,
would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you
idle? Are you then your own master, be ashamed to catch
yourself idle, as Poor Dick says. When there is so much to be
done for yourself, your family, your country, and your gracious
king, be up by peep of day; let not the sun look down and say,
inglorious here he lies. Handle your tools without mittens;
remember that the cat in gloves catches no mice, as Poor
Richard says. '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 labor? No,
for as Poor Richard says, trouble springs from idleness, and
grievous toil from needless ease. Many without labor would live
by their wits only, but they break for want of stock. 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 is as
bad as a fire, and again, keep the 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 a
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 farther, 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. "So much for
industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business; but
to these we must add frugality, if we would make our industry
more certainly successful. A man may, if he knows not how to
save as he gets, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone,
and die not worth a groat at last. A fat kitchen makes a lean
will, as Poor Richard says; and, Many estates are spent in the
getting, Since women for tea forsook spinning and knitting, And
men for punch forsook hewing and splitting. If you would be
wealthy, says he, in another almanac, think of saving as well
as of getting: the Indies have not made Spain rich, because her
outgoes are greater than her incomes. Away then with your
expensive follies, and you will not have so much cause to
complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable families;
for, as Poor Dick says, Women and wine, game and deceit, Make
the wealth small, and the wants great. And farther, what
maintains one vice, would bring up two children. You may think
perhaps that a little tea, or a little punch now and then, diet
a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little
entertainment now and then, can be no great Matter; but
remember what Poor Richard says, many a little makes a mickle,
and farther, beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink
a great ship, and again, who dainties love, shall beggars
prove, and moreover, fools make Feasts, and wise men eat them.
"Here you are all got together at this vendue of fineries and
knicknacks. You call them goods, but if you do not take care,
they will prove evils to some of you.You expect they will be
sold cheap, and perhaps they may for less than they cost; but
if you have no occasion for them, they must be dear to you.
Remember what Poor Richard says, buy what thou hast no need of,
and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries. And again, at a
great pennyworth pause a while: he means, that perhaps the
cheapness is apparent only, and not real; or the bargain, by
straitning thee in thy business, may do thee more harm than
good. For in another place he says, many have been ruined by
buying good pennyworths. Again, Poor Richard says, 'tis foolish
to lay our money in a purchase of repentance; and yet this
folly is practised every day at vendues, for want of minding
the almanac. Wise men, as Poor Dick says, learn by others'
harms, fools scarcely by their own, but, felix quem faciunt
aliena pericula cautum. Many a one, for the sake of finery on
the back, have gone with a hungry belly, and half starved their
families; silks and satins, scarlet and velvets, as Poor
Richard says, put out the kitchen fire. These are not the
necessaries of life; they can scarcely be called the
conveniencies, and yet only because they look pretty, how many
want to have them. The artificial wants of mankind thus become
more numerous than the natural; and, as Poor Dick says, for one
poor person, there are an hundred indigent. By these, and other
extravagancies, 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, 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 farther
advises, and says, Fond pride of dress, is sure a very curse;
E'er 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
dressed. The gaudy fop's his picture just, as Poor Richard
says. "But what madness must it be to run in 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 will
make poor pitiful sneaking excuses, and by degrees come to lose
you veracity, and sink into base downright lying; for, as Poor
Richard says, the second vice is lying, the first is running in
debt. And again to the same purpose, lying rides upon debt's
back. Whereas a freeborn Englishman ought not to be ashamed or
afraid to see or speak to any man living. But poverty often
deprives a man of all spirit and virtue: 'tis hard for an empty
bag to stand upright, as Poor Richard truly says. What would
you think of that Prince, or that government, who should issue
an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or a
gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you
not say, that you are free, have a right to dress as you
please, and that such an edict would be a breach of your
privileges, and such a government tyrannical? And yet you are
about to put yourself under that tyranny when you run in debt
for such dress! Your creditor has authority at his pleasure to
deprive you of your liberty, by confining you in gaol for life,
or to sell you for a servant, if you should not be able to pay
him! When you have got your bargain, you may, perhaps, think
little of payment; but creditors, Poor Richard tells us, have
better memories than debtors, and in another place says,
creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days
and times. The day comes round before you are aware, and the
demand is made before you are prepared to satisfy it. Or if you
bear your debt in mind, the term which at first seemed so long,
will, as it lessens, appear extreamly short. Time will seem to
have added wings to his heels as well as shoulders. Those have
a short Lent, saith Poor Richard, who owe money to be paid at
Easter. Then since, as he says, the borrower is a slave to the
lender, and the debtor to the creditor, disdain the chain,
preserve your freedom; and maintain your independency: be
industrious and free; be frugal and free. At present, perhaps,
you may think yourself in thriving circumstances, and that you
can bear a little extravagance without injury; but, For age and
want, save while you may; No morning sun lasts a whole day, as
Poor Richard says. Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but
ever while you live, expense is constant and certain; and 'tis
easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel, as Poor
Richard says. So rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt.
Get what you can, and what you get hold; 'Tis the stone that
will turn all your lead into gold, as Poor Richard says. And
when you have got the philosopher's stone, sure you will no
longer complain of bad times, or the difficulty of paying
taxes. "This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but
after all, do not depend too much upon your own industry, and
frugality, and prudence, though excellent things, for they may
all be blasted without the blessing of heaven; and therefore
ask that blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that
at present seem to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember
Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperous. "And now to
conclude, experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn
in no other, and scarce in that, for it is true, we may give
advice, but we cannot give conduct, as Poor Richard says:
however, remember this, they that won't be counseled, can't be
helped, as Poor Richard says: and farther, that if you will not
hear reason, she'll surely rap your knuckles." Thus the old
gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and approved
the doctrine, and immediately practiced the contrary, just as
if it had been a common sermon; for the vendue opened, and they
began to buy extravagantly, notwithstanding all his cautions,
and their own fear of taxes. I found the good man had
thoroughly studied my almanacs, and digested all I had dropped
on those topics during the course of five-and-twenty years. The
frequent mention he made of me must have tired any one else,
but my vanity was wonderfully delighted with it, though I was
conscious that not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own which
he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings I had made of the
sense of all ages and nations. However, I resolved to be the
better for the echo of it; and though I had at first determined
to buy stuff for a new coat, I went away resolved to wear my
old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy
profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever, thine to serve
thee, Richard Saunders. July 7, 1757.
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The desire to harm, a motivation for conduct
On Self-sufficient Country Living, Homesteading
Topically Arranged Proverbs, Precepts, Quotations. Common Sayings. Poor Richard's Almanac.
Theory on the Formation of Character
People are like radio tuners --- they pick out and listen to one wavelength and ignore the rest
Cause of Character Traits --- According to Aristotle
We are what we eat --- living under the discipline of a diet
Avoiding problems and trouble in life
Role of habit in formation of character
Personal attributes of the true Christian
What determines a person's character?
Love of God and love of virtue are closely united
Intellectual disparities among people and the power in good habits
Tools of Satan. Tactics and Tricks used by the Devil.
The Natural Way -- The Unnatural Way
Wisdom, Reason and Virtue are closely related
Knowledge is one thing, wisdom is another
My views on Christianity in America
The most important thing in life is understanding
We are all examples --- for good or for bad
Television --- spiritual poison
The Prime Mover that decides "What We Are"
Where do our outlooks, attitudes and values come from?
Sin is serious business. The punishment for it is real. Hell is real.
Self-imposed discipline and regimentation
Achieving happiness in life --- a matter of the right strategies
Self-control, self-restraint, self-discipline basic to so much in life