William Penn. (1644–1718). Fruits of Solitude.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. |
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| Part I |
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| Frugality or Bounty |
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| 50. Frugality is good if Liberality be join’d with it. The first is leaving off superfluous Expences; the last bestowing them to the Benefit of others that need. The first without the last begins Covetousness; the last without the first begins Prodigality: Both together make an excellent Temper. Happy the Place where ever that is found. | 1 |
| 51. Were it universal, we should be Cur’d of two Extreams, Want and Excess: and the one would supply the other, and so bring both nearer to a Mean; the just Degree of earthly Happiness. | 2 |
| 52. It is a Reproach to Religion and Government to suffer so much Poverty and Excess. | 3 |
| 53. Were the Superfluities of a Nation valued, and made a perpetual Tax or Benevolence, there would be more Alms-houses than Poor; Schools than Scholars; and enough to spare for Government besides. | 4 |
| 54. Hospitality is good, if the poorer sort are the subjects of our Bounty; else too near a Superfluity. | 5 |
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