Franklin’s Way to Wealth

“The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality: that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them everything.” – Benjamin Franklin

Franklin certainly supported his ‘way to wealth’ inside the pages of his own Autobiography. Below I have included some additional evidence for his philosophy from the many proverbs within Poor Richard’s Almanack.

Frankly clearly believed that by being productive with one’s time, one would create value in the marketplace, and this would be translated to wages or profits, and then by spending this earned money wisely, one would be on the path to wealth.

Industry

• Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
• Industry need not wish.
• Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.
• Then plow deep while sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep.

Frugality

• A small leak will sink a great ship.
• A penny saved is a penny earned.
• Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.
• Get what you can, and what you get hold; ‘Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold.