What life lessons can we learn from ants?

You may well take a lesson from the smallest creatures of the animal world. 

Consider the industry and forethought of the tiny ants!—with what care and design they labour towards the accomplishment of their work! If you would but look, and attentively examine the habits of these members of the animal kingdom, and be taught by them, it would be better for you, for in all your bodily and mental constitution, you find all the various characteristics of the lower animals combined.

You are a world in yourself, and you have the nicest adaptation of part to part—

All the members arranged for use and beauty in the most perfect order. 

Take, for example, the little bird and the great and uncouth reptile lying in its muddy bed, lazily basking in the sun with open jaws ready to devour its prey—there also, you see this little bird fearlessly perch itself on the great jaws of the monster and begin to pick its teeth. The reptile quietly submits to this treatment on the part of the bird. Why? Because it performs a work beneficial to both.

How beautiful the arrangement!

Corrosion and consequent destruction of that necessary part of the reptile's organisation are prevented—the crocodile gets his teeth cleaned and the little bird is fed.