Industry and Frugality are Virtues which have been buried out of Sight; ’tis Time, high time to revive them. He that Leads in this Cause, and is himself the Example, is a Patriot.

Philo Publicus.
Cambridge, Sept. 26, 1764

This quotation may seem to be nothing more than an indirect argument to cut taxes and force workfare.

It could be used that way but I use it to mean we should husband our resources wisely.

Do we really need a peak usage power plant, for example, on the best farmland in Ontario just so we can keep air conditioning real cool? Do we really need 3,000 sq ft homes far away from workplaces?

I like comfort -- Canada is a rich nation and we ought to enjoy that wealth but "Frugality is a Virtue" and excess use is not a good thing.