1.It is the duty of every man to work.The idle man wastes his time，and his life is of no use to himself or to others.The man who is too lazy to work for his living is the most ready to beg or to steal.
2.Among the Jews every boy，rich and poor alike，was taught some useful trade.One of the ancient kings of Egyptmade a law，that all his people should come before their rulers once a year，and prove that they knew some trade by which they could earntheirliving.Any man who could not do so was put to death.
3.There was at one time a custom among the people of Hollandwhich was meant to prevent idleness.
When a man was found begging，who was able to work，he was seized，and put into a pitwas allowed to run through a pipe.，into which water
4.At the bottom of the pit there was a pump to get rid of the water.But it was hard work to pump outthe water that poured in；and if the man had stopped pumping，he would certainly have been drowned.
5.It was great fun for those who passed by to see an idle trampforced to work in spite of himself；and afew hours of this punishment was enough to cure a very lazy man.When he was quite worn out，he was ready enough to promise to work for his living in future .
6.But it is not enough that a man should learn some kind of work.He should apply himself to his work with a will，and not waste his spare minutes or half hours.“Work while you work，and play while you play，”is a good rule for old people as well as young people.
7.There is no better aid to industry than the habit of early rising，and this，like all other habits，is most easily formed in youth.A great French writertells ushow he managed，by the help of his servant，to get up early in the morning，and thus save much of his time.
8.“When I was young，”he says，“I was so fond of sleep that I lost half my time.My servant Joseph did all he could to help me to break off my lazy habit，but at first without success.
9.”At last I promised him five shillings every time he could make me get up at six o‘clock.He came thenext morning at that hour，and did his best to rouseme；but I only spoke roughly to him，and then went to sleep again.
10.“The next morning he came again，and this time I became so angry that he was frightened.That afternoon I said to him，’Joseph，I have lost my time，and you have not won your five shillings.You do not understand your work；you should think only of what I have promised you，and never mind how angry I am.‘11.”Next morning he came again.First I begged him to leave me alone，then I grew angry，but it was of no use；he made me get up，very much against my will.
12.“My ill-humour did not last long after I was awake，and then I thanked Joseph，and gave him his five shillings.I owe to Joseph at least a dozen of the books I have written.”