The proverb tells us that, if we constantly move about
from one place to another and can never settle down, we are not likely to amass
much wealth. Only those stones that have long remained in one place become
coated with moss. In like manner, men who go on working steadily in the same
town or country are most likely to become prosperous.
It must not be supposed that this proverb entirely
forbids change of place. Although a stone gathers no moss while it is actually
rolling, it may nevertheless by rolling arrive at a position more favourable for
the accumulation of moss. Many men have immensely improved their prospects in
life by boldly transferring their talents to a distant land. They may have had
heavy expenses on the journey, but they are soon compensated for that
expenditure by the better opportunities of enriching themselves that they find
in their new home. Thus thousands of English and Irish labourers have escaped
from miserable poverty by emigrating to America and Australia.
But there are some men who, when they have gone to
a distant country and begun to do well there. Are tempted by mere restlessness.
Or the hope of more rapidly acquiring wealth, to change their home once more.
They ought to remember the proverb we are considering, and recollect how many
have been known to ruin their fortunes by this restless love of wandering. It
is plain that, as a rule. Anyone who leases the place where he has resided many
years’ sacrifices great advantages, which he cannot expect to carry with him to
a distant part of the world. Continual chance of place may be profitable for
rogues. Whose villainy has been detected and who will have a better change of
cheating again in a land where they are unknown to the police. Idlers,
drunkards and other incapable men may at least he said to lose nothing by moving
from place to place. For they are
equally unsuccessful everywhere and have nothing to lose. But an able, honest
man has every reason to continue to reside where he has established for himself
a good reputation and respected by his neighbours. If he recklessly goes to another
country. He may take a long time to build up again a reputation like the one he
has left behind him. He wills also lobe all the advantage he derived, from his
local knowledge. And, as an inexperienced stranger. Will have to contend with
the old residents engaged in the same business or profession as him. If he is a
merchant, he will take some time to learn who, among the other men of business
in the en city to which he has transferred his capital, are honest and solvent.
If he is a layer or doctor, he will have to begin the laborious work of gaining
a good practice. And must set about studying. In the me case. The prevalent
local diseases and their remedies. In the skier the history of recent local
litigation. She is among the drawbacks that a man who cannot settle in one
place is likely to encounter in his struggle with fortune. They may of course,
in exceptional cases, be more than.
Counterbalanced by greater advantages; but as a
rule, a man ought without careful reflection, to leave a place where he is
enjoying a fair measure of prosperity. If he does, so he is not unlikely, in
the word of another proverb, to go farther and fare worse.