If you would Live at your Ease, says Democritus, Manage but a few Things. I think it had been better, if He had said, Do nothing but what is necessary; and what becomes one made for Society; Nothing but what Reason prescribes, and in the Order too she prescribes it. For by this Rule a Man may both secure the Quality, and draw in the Bulk of his Business; And have the double Pleasure of making his Actions Good, and Few, into the Bargain. For the greatest part of what we say and do, being unnecessary; If this were but once retrench'd, we should have both more Leisure, and less Disturbance. And therefore before a Man sets forward He should ask himself this Question; Am I not upon the Verge of something unnecessary and impertinent? Farther; We should apply this Hint to what we Think, as well as to what we Do; For Impertinence of Thought; draws Unnecessary Action after it.