Thrift

"Thrift" by Samuel Smiles is a reflective treatise written in the late 19th century that discusses the importance of frugality and careful financial management in everyday life. The work serves as a sequel to Smiles's previous volumes, "Self-Help" and "Character," and emphasizes that the virtue of thrift is essential not only for personal well-being but also for the welfare of society as a whole. The book addresses the moral implications of how money is earned, spent, and saved, highlighting that a thrifty individual contributes positively to their community, while those who squander their resources can perpetuate cycles of poverty and dependency. At the start of "Thrift," the author establishes the foundational concepts of economy and the necessity of industrious living. Smiles draws on historical anecdotes and societal observations to illustrate how thrift enables individuals to prepare for the future, underpinning the argument with insights into human behavior and the impact of poverty on society. The opening portion lays a philosophical groundwork, asserting that true independence stems from prudent financial practices. The discussion introduces the theme that while many can earn a good wage, the failure to save or spend wisely can lead to distress, proclaiming that every person has the ability to elevate their position through self-discipline and forethought. Overall, the opening of the book engages the reader with its call for personal responsibility and economic wisdom. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Samuel Smiles was a British author and government reformer. Although he campaigned on a Chartist platform, he promoted the idea that more progress would come from new attitudes than from new laws. His primary work, Self-Help (1859), promoted thrift and claimed that poverty was caused largely by irresponsible habits, while also attacking materialism and laissez-faire government. It has been called "the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism" and had lasting effects on British political thought.