  Whereas a freeborn Englishman ought not to be ashamed to see or speak to any man living. But poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virture: ' tis hard for an empty bag to stand upright, as Poor Richard truly says. What would you think of that Prince, or that government, who should issue an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you not say, that you are free, have a right to dress as you please, and that such an edict would be a breach of your privileges, and such a government tyrannical? And yet you are about to put yourself under that tyranny when you run in debt for such dress! Your creditor has authority at his pleasure to deprive you of your liberty, by confining you in gaol for life, or sell you for a servant, if you should not be able to pay him!
Source: The Way to Wealth
by Benjamin Franklin
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