The worthless part of mankind, who pass through the world without being
of any service in it, and without acquiring the least reputation,
seldom fail of adding empty pride to all their other failings, and
behave with arrogance towards those who contribute to the comforts
and happiness of society. They treat industrious persons as wretched
drudges, appointed to labour for a poor subsistence, while they think
themselves entitled to enjoy all the good things of this life, though
they of all others least deserve them. But the worthy and industrious
will generally find that the pride and extravagance of these idle
flies, bring them at last to shame, if not to want, while their own
honest labours secure a good name, a happy mind, and a sufficiency for
their wants, if not a state of affluence. In short, no one is a better
gentleman than he whose own honest industry supplies him with all
necessaries, and who pretends to no more acquaintance with honour than
never to say or do a mean or an unjust thing.
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