There were stations in which the possession of a legible hand was all that was requisite.

He might add to this a knowledge of accounts, and thereby procure himself a post in some mercantile or public office.
To this he objected, that experience had shown him unfit for the life of a penman.

This had been his chief occupation for a little while, and he found it wholly incompatible with his health.

He must not sacrifice the end for the means.

Starving was a disease preferable to consumption.
Besides, he laboured merely for the sake of living, and he lived merely for the sake of pleasure.