A61398:326
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a…
The trades-man's calling being a discourse concerning the nature, necessity, choice, &c. of a calling in general : and directions for the right managing of the tradesman's calling in particular / by Richard Steele ...
London: printed by J.D. for Samuel Sprint, 1684
Title page typeset from the transcription.
THE Tradesman's Calling. › Chapter 5 › Section 5: Of Contentedness in a Trade.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
(1.) Ambition, whereby you will be tempted to reach at things too high for you: When a Man's Heart is too big and too high for his Calling, he is never at ease. The Shoe is uneasy, but it is because the Foot is swelled. This ruined our first Parents, and this ruins many of their Posterity. It is true, a Tradesman may modestly aim at a convenient Pitch, yea, so that he do it soberly and honestly, let him hopefully endeavour to attain the highest degree of Greatness attainable in his own Calling; but this Endeavour so qualified, will not make him restless and uneasy in his present Condition. He is very well, but yet hopes for better; that he may be in a better Capacity to do good, and rectify what he sees amiss in the Employment. He does not, he ought not to aim only at himself herein. His greatest Ambition is to do good in the World, and to get well to Heaven.
(1.) Ambition, whereby you will be tempted to reach at things too high for you: When a Man's Heart is too big and too high for his Calling, he is never at ease. The Shoe is uneasy, but it is because the Foot is swell'd. This ruin'd our first Parents, and this ruines many of their Posterity. It is true, a Tradesman may modestly aim at a convenient Pitch, yea, so that he do it soberly and honestly, let him hopefully endeavour to attain the highest degree of Greatness attainable in his own Calling; but this Indeavour so qualified, will not make him restless and uneasy in his present Condition. He is very well, but yet hopes for better; that he may be in a better Capacity to do good, and rectify what he sees amiss in the Imployment. He does not, he ought not to aim only at himself herein. His greatest Ambition is to do good in the World, and to get well to Heaven.
(2.) The Tradesman ought to watch against Envy; whereby a Man hath an evil Eye at those that seem to be in a better Condition than himself. There's one in more Credit than I; another gets far more Money than I; such and such live without Care and Pains; Riches flow in upon them; they have what Heart can wish. Sure the World is unequally divided; we are as skilful and diligent, as honest as they, but they go away with all the Wealth, and we sit down with all the Labour. See what a House, and what rich ⟨p. 176⟩