Extravagant Living

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PREFACE
The purpose of this volume, as the title indicates, is to exhibit the evils that flow from the too common lack of prudence, of self-denial and economy in young people, at the beginning of life; and also to show, in contrast, the beneficial results of a wise restriction of the desires to the means. This is a lesson which cannot be too often repeated nor too forcibly illustrated. Extravagant expenditure — living beyond one's means — is the besetting evil of social life in this country, from the common laborer, up to the "merchant prince" who will be satisfied with nothing less than a palace for a dwelling.

"Sparing to Spend" has for its aim the correction of this evil — in so far as an exhibition of its folly — and the peace, prosperity and happiness almost certain to flow from an opposite course of life — can effect so desirable an object. "A word for the wise" is often "sufficient." Happily, in all classes are those who need only the clear presentation of a truth, to lead to its adoption. In these lie the hope of the moral teacher, and for these he fails not in the constant utterance of his "line upon line, and precept upon precept." For the sake of these, he casts, confidently, his bread upon the waters, knowing that it will return after many days."

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