The savage has an
easy life enough, if that be any gain: but it is a life of poverty,
uncertainty, danger of starvation. The civilized man works hard and
heavily, using body and mind more in one month than the savage does
in the whole year: but he gains in return a life of safety,
comfort, and continually increasing prosperity.
This is Solomon's lesson: and be sure it holds good, not only of
tilling the ground, but of all other labours, all other duties, to
which God may call us. 'Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,' says
Solomon, 'do it with all thy might.' God has set thee thy work;
then fulfil it. Fill it full. Throw thy whole heart and soul into
it. Do it carefully, accurately, completely. It will be better for
thee, and for thy children after thee. All neglect, carelessness,
slurring over work, is a sin; a sin against God, who has called us
to our work; a sin against our country and our neighbours, who ought
to profit by our work; and a sin against ourselves also, for we (as
I shall shew you soon) ought to be made wiser and better men by our
work.
Oh, if there is one rule above another which I should like to bring
home to young men and women setting out in life, it is this--_Take
pains_. Take trouble. Whatever you do, do thoroughly. Whatever
you begin, finish.
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