Your economy, I suppose, begins now to be settled; your expences are adjusted to your revenue, and all your people in their proper places. Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. Poverty is a great enemy to human happiness; it certainly destroys liberty, and it makes some virtues impracticable, and others extremely difficult.

In this excerpt from one of his letters to Boswell, Dr. Samuel Johnson offers pragmatic advice that underscores his belief in financial prudence. By advising Boswell to "spend less," Johnson highlights the dangers of poverty, noting that it not only hampers personal freedom but also makes it challenging to maintain certain moral standards. Through this counsel, Johnson suggests that economic stability is crucial for a fulfilling life, as it allows one to exercise liberty and virtue without the shackles of financial worry. His words emphasize the importance of aligning expenditures with income as a foundation for personal and moral autonomy, reflecting the values of self-discipline and foresight that Johnson deemed integral to a well-ordered life.