It is an old trick of despots, and a good one, to employ their
subjects. Why? To keep them out of mischief, Employed men are most
contented. There is no conspiracy. Men do not sit down and coolly
proceed to concoct iniquity so long as there is plenty of pleasant and
profitable employment for body and mind. Work drives off discontent,
provided there is compensation in proportion to the amount of labor
performed. There must be a stimulant. God never intended a man should
sweat without eating of the fruits of his labor--reaping a
reward--more than he intended the idle man should revel in plenty and
grow gouty on luxuries. Industry is a great peacemaker--a
mind-your-own-business citizen. Something to do renders the despairing
good-natured and hopeful--stops the cry of the hungry, and promotes
all virtue. The best men are the most industrious; the most wealthy
work the hardest. They always find something to do. Do you ever wonder
that men of wealth do not "retire" and enjoy their substance? We know
some young men look forward with anticipation to the time of
"retiring." It is doubtful if a man should ever retire from business
as long as he lives. We think we know men who, were they to abandon
business, would be ruined, not pecuniarily, but mentally--their lives
would be shortened. God never intended man's mind should become
dormant. It is governed by fixed laws. Those laws are imperative in
their exactions.
Something to do! "Oh, if I had something to do!" There are young men
who sigh for it, yet one thing they can do--that is, seek for a job.
Once found, provided it is an honest one, do not hesitate to perform
it, even if it does not pay as well as you expected.
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