176 FABLES. 



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 cor- 

 rupt, 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 act- 

 ing 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. 



