All business that is necessary to be done should be done betimes: for
there is as little trouble in doing it in season as out of season; and
he that is always ready can never be taken by surprize. Wise, just,
and vigilant governments know that they cannot be safe in peace, unless
they are always prepared for war, and are ready to meet the worst that
can happen. When they become corrupt, or supine, and off their guard,
they thereby invite and expose their country to the sudden attacks of
its enemies. In private life, many evils and calamities befal those
who make no provision against unforeseen or untoward accidents, which
the prudent man prevents by looking forward to probable contingencies,
and having a reserve of every thing necessary before-hand,--that he
may not be put into hurry and confusion, nor thrown into dilemmas and
difficulties, when the time comes that he may have to encounter them.
It cannot be too strongly impressed upon the minds of all men, that
day by day they are approaching towards old age, and that they should
honourably endeavour to provide a store of conveniences against that
time, when they will be most in want of them, and least able to procure
them. To reflect properly upon this, will give them pleasure instead
of pain; and they will not die a day sooner for being always ready for
that certain event: to do otherwise is acting like weak-minded men, who
delay making their wills, and properly settling their worldly affairs,
because to them it looks so like the near approach of death.
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