The farmer who moves in town to live on his income is a sorry individual unless he has a garden and chickens, or buys and sells farms, or occupies his time with work of some kind.
The retired, non-working farmer who has moved to town gets up in the morning, goes to see the train come in, whittles a stick, loafs at the hotel or store, goes to the next train, talks of his rheumatism, goes to bed at eight o'clock, and the next day goes through the same rigmarole.
We have all seen these old codgers who have retired. They are not happy because they have quit their life's habit of work, and are rusting out.
Occupation is the plan of nature to keep man happy, so when you have all the money you need, have some occupation or hobby to occupy your time.
The man who retires from any active work is merely counting the days until he dies.
When old age comes and your body or brain won't let you do or care for as much as you could in your younger days, then get lighter work or lighter cares.
Keep busy if it is only raising chickens or gardening, or studying astronomy or botany.
Keep at it as long as you can. Die in the harness instead of fading slowly away.
Cultivate the reading habit in your younger days that it may be a pleasant occupation when your legs and hands grow feeble with age.
When you quit work or occupation of some sort then life has no beauty for you.