Intelligent Quotes

The Way to Wealth

The Way to Wealth stands as perhaps the most enduring distillation of the American entrepreneurial spirit, crystallizing Benjamin Franklin’s philosophy into maxims that have echoed through American consciousness for over two centuries. Published in 1758 as the preface to Poor Richard’s Almanack, this brief essay emerged from Franklin’s genius for transforming Enlightenment rationality into practical wisdom for a commercial age.

More about Benjamin Franklin →

Summary

Franklin’s stroke of brilliance lay in presenting his counsel through the voice of “Father Abraham,” who strings together the almanac’s accumulated proverbs into a coherent philosophy of self-improvement. The familiar refrains, such as “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise”, became the secular scripture of American capitalism. Yet Franklin’s message transcended money-making; he advocated industry, frugality, and prudence as civic virtues essential to republican government.

The essay’s extraordinary influence stemmed from its perfect alignment with American circumstances. In a society lacking inherited privilege, Franklin offered a democratic path to prosperity through character and effort, rather than a path assuming inherited privilege or wealth. His aphorisms became the intellectual foundation for what would later be called the Protestant work ethic, shaping generations of Americans who saw moral virtue and material success as inseparable companions in the pursuit of happiness.

Quotes from The Way to Wealth

“Little strokes fell great oaks.”

Benjamin Franklin (verified)

Details

People also read