To insult people in distress is the property of a cruel, indiscreet, and
giddy temper; for, as the proceedings of fortune are very irregular and
uncertain, we may, the next turn of the wheel, be thrown down to their
condition, and they exalted to ours. We are likewise given to understand
by this fable what the consequence of an idle life generally is, and how
well satisfied laborious diligent men are, in the end, when they come
quietly to enjoy the fruits of their industry. They who by little tricks
and sharpings, or by open violence and robbery, live in a high expensive
way, often in their hearts, at least, despise the poor honest man who is
contented with the virtuous product of his daily labour, and patiently
submits to his destiny. But how often is the poor man comforted, by
seeing these wanton villains led in triumph to the altar of justice,
while he has many a cheerful summer's morning to enjoy abroad, and many
a long winter's evening to indulge himself in at home, by a quiet
hearth, and under an unenvied roof: blessings which often attend a sober
industrious man, though the idle and the profligate are utter strangers
to them. Luxury and intemperance, besides their being certain to shorten
a man's days, are very apt not only to engage people with their seeming
charms into a debauched life, utterly prejudicial to their health, but
to make them have a contempt for others, whose good sense and true taste
of happiness inspire them with an aversion to idleness and effiminacy,
and put them upon hardening their constitution by innocent exercise and
laudable employment. How many do gluttony and sloth tumble into an
untimely grave! while the temperate and the active drink sober draughts
of life, and spin out their thread to the most desirable length.