77 “Ways to Wealth” [Health & Happiness] from Ben Franklin

“There are two ways of being happy: We must either reduce our wants or expand our means. It is for each man to decide for himself to do that which is easier to him.” Ben Franklin

Famous Founder Topics: Time, Lazy, Work, Sleep, Debt, Saving, Borrowing, Wealth.

from Poor Richard’s Almanac 1785 edited by Peter/CXO Wiz4.biz

Ben Franklin: USAs 1st self-made man !!!

He set the standard for generations to come on how to live a full & prosperous life. Franklin shared many of his “secrets” to success as short sayings under the pen name “Poor Richard” in his yearly Almanac. The wise sayings focused mainly on the virtues of hard work & saving. In 1758, Franklin reflected on all the sayings he wrote during the first 25 years of publication of Poor Richard’s Almanac and wrote . . .

“The Way to Wealth”

Ben Franklin dispensed knowledge to his readers by quoting heavily from that wise old sage of his annual Almanac, “Poor Richard.” Franklin’s wise sayings in The Way to Wealth teach us that success is just the consistent application of hard work & thrift. The principles of success haven’t changed much in 200 years. Below, are most of the sayings from Franklin’s “The Way to Wealth” in one comprehensive list. Read through all of them, then pick out a few favorites, and apply them to your life. They’re perfect for keeping you focused on becoming the most successful & happy man or woman you can be in your life.

God helps them that “help” themselves
Laziness, like rust, consumes fast; Hard work is bright & shiny
If you love life, then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of
The sleeping Fox catches no prey. There will be sleeping enough in the grave
Wasting time must be the greatest wastfulness in life
Lost time is never found again
Time-enough, always proves little enough
Laziness makes all things difficult, but ambition all easy
He that riseth late, must work all day, and shall scarce finish his business at night
Laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon over-takes it
Drive thy business, let not it drive thee
Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy & wise.
Ambition need not wish & hope. It makes it happen
He that lives upon hope will die hungry
There are no gains, without pains
He that hath a Trade or Profession hath opportunity
He that hath a “calling” hath an office of pride and often profit
At the working man’s house, poverty looks in, but dares not enter
For hard work pays debts, while distractions increases them
Diligence is the mother of good luck
Plow deep, while the lazy sleep, and you shall have crops to sell & keep
One today is worth two tomorrows
Have you something to do tomorrow, do it today !!!
Be ashamed to catch yourself idle
Let not the sun look down and say, laziness here he lies
The Cat in gloves catches no Mice
The Persistence of constant dripping water wears away stones
Little Strokes eventually fell great Oaks
Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure and enjoy it
Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour
Hard Work gives comfort + plenty, and respect:
Primarily pursue Pleasures, and they’ll follow you down
Keep you shop well, and thy shop will keep thee
If you would have your Business done well, do; if not, delegate
The creative eye of a Master will do more work than both his hands
Lack of care does us more damage than Lack of knowledge
Not to oversee workmen is to leave them your purse open to steal from it
In the affairs of this world, men are saved not by faith, but by the want of it
Learning is to the studious, and riches to the careful
He that rides fast will thrive, but he must either hold on or drive.
If you would have a Faithful Servant; one that you like, serve yourself first
A little Neglect may breed great Catastrophe
For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost, and for want of a horse the rider was lost
A man may, if he knows “not”: how to save as he gets, keep his nose to the grind stone, shall die not worth a goat
If you would be Wealthy, think of Saving as well as of Getting
He who maintains one Vice, would bring up two children. One naughty, the other not nice
Beware of little Expenses; a small Leak will sink a great Ship
Keep buying what you don’t need and before long, you’ll have to sell thy Necessaries
Wise men learn by others’ Mistakes, Fools hardly learn by their own
Always taking and never putting in, soon comes to the bottom of no more
If you would know the Value of money, go and try to Borrow some
He that goes a Borrowing goes a begging & sorrowing
‘Tis easier to suppress the first Desire, than to satisfy all that follow
Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt
Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with arrogance, and supped with poverty
The second Vice is lying, the first is going into debt
But what madness must it be, to run up Debt for these super frivolous folly things
Lying rides upon Debt’s back, without a saddle
‘Tis hard for an empty Bag (used for money), to stand upright & proud
Creditors have better memories than Debtors
The Borrower is a Slave to the Lender, and the Debtor to the Creditor
Be Ambitious and free; be Frugal and free.
Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue:
Creditors are a superstitious sect. They’re great observers of set days & times
Those will have a short Lent, who owe money to be paid at Easter
For age and want, Save while you may; No morning Sun lasts a whole day
Gain may be temporary and uncertain, so save for a Rainy day.
For all the days you live, Expense is a constant and certain
Rather go to Bed without supper fast, than Rise in debt.
Get what you can; What you get, hold-some is whole-some
’Tis the lucky stone that will turn all your lead into gold. Keep looking
1. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
“To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions.”
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.”
“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.”

Which of Franklin’s Ways to Wealth really strike a cord with you? Let us know in Comments.

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