Ways to Wealth

In Ways to Wealth Benjamin Franklin illustrates the values of industry and frugality through many maxims that are remembered and quoted today. Here are just a few:

"God helps them that help themselves"

This maxim highlights resourcefulness and individualism as virtuous characteristics. In fact, individualism is an important facet of understanding American culture. It basically says that God smiles upon those who do things for themselves rather than has other people do things for them. Advice like this is abundant in our capitalistic society. Few people in the United States would disagree with this statement. I agree mostly with this sentiment, however, I also believe that you should not feel guilty or shame for asking for help from others.

"Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

This maxim favors diligence over laziness. It states that when we rise early we can get ahead on our work and thus not fall behind in poverty and ill-health. Most people would today agree with this statement. I personally have a problem with this statement because I don't believe that there is any real correlation between getting up early and being healthier or wealthier.

"Diligence is the mother of good luck"

This maxim essentially means that working hard in the times now will bring surplus and good luck in scarce times. It follows that hard work is also considered a virtue in this maxim. Most people today would also agree with this maxim except that you must also be frugal in order to see a prosperous future.

Benjamin Franklin writes these sage quotes with a sense of humor as well:

"For want of a nail the shoe was lost, for want of a shoe the horse was lost, for want of a horse the rider was lost and slain by the enemy ..."

This quote is humorous because it brings to mind the loss of something so large because of something so small. It exaggerates the circumstances and brings home the importance of double-checking details.

"Pride is as loud a beggar as want and a great deal more saucy....as for the frog to swell in order to equal the ox"

This is a humorous quote because here pride is personified as sassy. There is also exaggeration in the quote which brings to mind a droll image. Franklin wanted to include humor in his writings because humorous reflections upon the human condition are better remembered than somber reflections. These are more likely to be shared and discussed among his readers and also much more likely to be quoted.

Reference

Benjamin Franklin "The Way to Wealth". (n.d.). Franklin, "Way to Wealth". Retrieved February 21, 2014, from http://itech.fgcu.edu/faculty/wohlpart/alra/fr