Thursday, December 04, 2008

Adam Smith on Raking Winter Leaves

Abigail Higgins writes on “Garden Notes : Thinking winter” in The Martha’s Vineyard Times, 4 December, HERE:

"What is prudence in the conduct of every private family can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom." - Scottish economist Adam Smith.

Having a garden is sound home economics, not only as a bulwark against total dependency but also as an emotional safeguard against idle hours and anomie.

Our "fearless leaders" (fearful, is more like it) have disdained Adam Smith's advice while deceitfully invoking his name, and now it is left to us to pick up the pieces.”


Abigail continues with advice for gardening, including ‘raking leaves’ and depositing refuse that makes for good ‘soil additive’, summing her advice with a touch of Smithian prudence:

“My simplistic-sounding advice: get gardening and grow something. Plow anxiety and frustration, or extra hours stemming from work slow-downs, into profitable use.”

Yes, ‘profit’ from personal therapy for your woes in your garden, if you've got one.

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