Here is, 1. The just praise of those who improve their opportunities,
who take pains to gather and increase what they have, both for soul and
body, who provide for hereafter while provision is to be made, who
gather in summer, which is gathering time. He who does so is a wise
son, and it is his honour; he acts wisely for his parents, whom, if
there be occasion, he ought to maintain, and he gives reputation to
himself, his family, and his education. 2. The just reproach and blame
of those who trifle away these opportunities: He who sleeps, loves his
ease, idles away his time, and neglects his work, especially who sleeps
in harvest, when he should be laying in for winter, who lets slip the
season of furnishing himself with that which he will have occasion for,
is a son that causes shame; for he is a foolish son; he prepares shame
for himself when winter comes, and reflects shame upon all his friends.
He who gets knowledge and wisdom in the days of his youth gathers in
summer, and he will have the comfort and credit of his industry; but he
who idles away the days of his youth will bear the shame of his
indolence when he is old.