280 Moderation in Ex pence indifpenjibly necejfary. 
Temperance and moderation always bid faireft to make 
heroes or heroines, and would be at this time, in a more par- 
ticular manner, the props of the ftate, as they ought to be the 
objects of applaufe in private life. We need not be afraid of 
linking into indolence, nor of becoming simple in our man- 
ners, like arcadian fhepherds. I queftion if there is any Hate 
or kingdom in the world in danger of its fplendor being 
abridged by parfimony or limplicity of life. For our parts 
we feem to vie with each other, who fhall be moft expenlive, 
or, in a vulgar phrafe, who fhall be the greateft fool, and 
part with his money fooneft. We live fo much on the ftretch 
in point of expence, that the richest are fupported from hand 
tO MOUTH. 
Indeed I have heard it very ferioully maintained, that the 
folly and extravagance of particular perfons, can do no injury 
to the community, becaufe, fay they, whatever is loft by one, 
another gains. This can be true only in a few inftances ; 
and feems to be juft as fallacious as the do&rine of private vices 
being public benefits. If wealth paftes from the hands of a 
vicious man into that of a virtuous one, inftead of being 
injured, the ftate may be benefited ; but for the very fame 
reafon it would have profpered lefs, had fuch riches remained 
in vicious hands : whence it follows, that much depends on the 
virtue of individuals. He who fquanders his fortune, ceafes 
in that inftance to be a virtuous man ; but when extrava- 
gance becomes epidemical, and infe&s a whole community ; 
when many follow the example of the spendthrift, who 
3 ruins 
