35 8 Fundamental Principles of 



misapplied as to operate as rewards to idleness and 

 immorality, the greater the sums are which are levied 

 on the rich for the relief of the poor, the more numer- 

 ous will that class become, and the greater will be their 

 profligacy, their insolence, and their shameless and 

 clamorous importunity. 



There is, it cannot be denied, in man, a natural pro- 

 pensity to sloth and indolence ; and though habits of 

 industry, like all habits, may render those exertions 

 easy and pleasant which at first are painful and irk- 

 some, yet no person, in any situation, ever chose labour 

 merely for its own sake. It is always the apprehension 

 of some greater evil, or the hope of some enjoyment, 

 by which mankind are compelled or allured when they 

 take to industrious pursuits. 



In the rude state of savage nature the wants of men 

 are few, and these may all be easily supplied without 

 the commission of any crime ; consequently industry, 

 under such circumstances, is not necessary, nor can 

 indolence be justly considered as a vice ; but in a state 

 of civil society where population is great, and the 

 means of subsistence not to be had without labour, or 

 without defrauding others of the fruits of their indus- 

 try, idleness becomes a crime of the most fatal ten- 

 dency, and consequently of the most henious nature, 

 and every means should be used to discountenance, 

 punish, and prevent it. 



And we see that Providence, ever attentive to pro- 

 vide remedies for the disorders which the progress of 

 society occasions in the world, has provided for idle- 

 ness — as soon as the condition of society renders it a 

 vice, but not before — a punishment every way suited 

 to its nature, and calculated to prevent its prevalency 



