And parts adjacent* 



373 



and that neceffity alone, or reflection, can impel him 

 to diligence. Neceffity is the moft ordinary means to 

 this end. As for reflection, a man muft have gone 

 Ibme lengths in it, before he feels, that a regular ap- 

 plication, and the benefits that arife from it, are the 

 bell means for leading a contented and pleafant life. 



There are politicians who maintain that heavy taxes, 

 and impofts fcarcely to be borne, are good methods for 

 compelling the common people to work. Men op- 

 prefled by taxes certainly work more out of neceffity, 

 than a Mil irrational people that can fatisfy their wants 

 •without much labour. So far this aflertion holds good. 

 But the true means of exciting an intrinfic and lafting 

 impulfe to diligence, is by calling forth the fentiment 

 of good living and the agreeablenefles of abundance. 

 He who once properly feels that regularity and labour 

 will not only free him from penury, but likewife pro- 

 cure him a kind of plenty, from whence an eafier 

 and more chearful enjoyment arifes, together with a 

 continual increafe of the means to it, will certainly find 

 a fatisfaction in his work. Anil furely the diligence of 

 this man is preferable to his who is driven to labour 

 by dire neceffity. 



FRAGMENT ON THE LAWS OP NATURE* 



x HE means of nature, as far as they are known 

 to us a may be deduced, according to the theory of the 



£ B 3 



count' 



