See here, 1. How a small estate may be improved by industry, so that a
man, by making the best of every thing, may live comfortably upon it:
Much food is in the tillage of the poor, the poor farmers, that have
but a little, but take pains with that little and husband it well. Many
make it an excuse for their idleness that they have but a little to
work on, a very little to be doing with; but the less compass the field
is of the more let the skill and labour of the owner be employed about
it, and it will turn to a very good account. Let him dig, and he needs
not beg. 2. How a great estate may be ruined by indiscretion: There is
that has a great deal, but it is destroyed and brought to nothing for
want of judgment, that is, prudence in the management of it. Men
over-build themselves or over-buy themselves, keep greater company, or
a better table, or more servants, than they can afford, suffer what
they have to go to decay and do not make the most of it; by taking up
money themselves, or being bound for others, their estates are sunk,
their families reduced, and all for want of judgment.