“In short, the Way to Wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the Way to Market. It depends chiefly on two Words, Industry and Frugality; i.e. Waste neither Time nor Money, but make the best Use of both. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all he gets (necessary Expences excepted) will certainly become Rich.”
Benjamin Franklin
Advice to a Young Tradesman (Primary source)
In this compact masterpiece of American pragmatism, Franklin distilled the emerging commercial ethos of colonial society into memorable maxims that would echo through generations of entrepreneurial ambition. Written as a letter to a young merchant, the essay crystallized the Protestant work ethic into practical wisdom: “Time is money,” Franklin declared, coining a phrase that would become synonymous with American capitalism.
More about “Advice to a Young Tradesman” →
“Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“For age and want save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Beware of little expenses, a small leak will sink a great ship.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that’s the stuff life is made of.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary sourceMore quotes by Benjamin Franklin →
“Understanding is a two-way street.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt Disputed“Money and good manners make the gentleman.”
— Benjamin Franklin Primary source“You can either buy clothes or buy pictures,” she said. “It’s that simple. No one who is not very rich can do both. Pay no attention to your clothes and no attention at all to the mode, and buy your clothes for comfort and durability, and you will have the clothes money to buy pictures.”
— Ernest Hemingway Primary source“When the odds are hopeless, when all seems to be lost, then is the time to be calm, to make a show of authority—at least of indifference.”
— Ian Fleming Primary sourceWealth Money Industry Frugality