Idle young men make needy old ones
Youth is the time for work, for gathering knowledge and equipping oneself for the battle of life that lies ahead. Old age is the time of rest and contemplation. But only those old men will find rest who have made an adequate provision for it in their youth. What can they fall back upon if they had not laid by anything for these rainy days of life? Those, who work hard during their youth, rest contentedly in their old age. They will not be dependent on others – their sons or daughters. They will not be a burden to others. At the close of the struggle for life, they will not suffer from wants. They will pass their days in wantlessness and peace. But a young man, who whiles away his time in idle pursuits and does not equip himself for life, may have a good time so long as the going is good; so long as his parents or relatives are willing to support him. If he is the son of wealthy parents, it may not seem necessary to work throughout his life. But if misfortunes overtake him and he is fallen on evil days, he will realize the folly of having wasted his youth in idle diversions and worthless pastimes. How such persons wish they had put their time and energy to better use and fitted themselves for the rough and tumble of life. They did not learn to swim when there was time for it, now when they are drowning, they cannot do so even if they want. It is, therefore, necessary for every young man to make proper use of his youth to equip himself for the battle of life and to lay by something against a rainy day. This will save him a lot of trouble and humiliation when he is old and unfit to work. If you want the crown of wantlessness and contentment in your old age, work hard in your youth.
