The Way to Wealth(1758) By Benjamin Franklin How do people get rich? To be successful and well-off is a goal most people unconsciously strive for, and everyday, thoughts of winning the lottery and/or getting a million dollar idea haunt the corners of their minds. Everyones heard those stories, the ones that bring a person from rags to riches. How do people get rich? The majestic Benjamin has the answers. Benjamin Franklin, the kite-flying lightning guy, one of our fore fathers, the stupendously clever economist, the key politician to the birth of America is the Benjamin I am referring to. He is VERY successful. He probably won his third grade spelling bee too. Not only succesful he must have been very generous, for he wrote a mannual about how to gain wealth, or the way to wealth, for all the future generations of Americans. Before his success in the publication of Poor Richard's Almanac his decided to publish a preface containg his most popular sayings and teachings in a nifty little pocket book of quotes. The sayings lay out the lessons one must follow to be successful. Many of his quotes are well known to this day. Here are a few examples; A penny saved is a penny earned. Think about it. If you find twenty bucks and spend it on a commercially large piece of chocolate or a funky pillow you lose the twenty dollars. The money that could have been saved and spent on something practical is gone. The lesson is to be frugal and you'll save a sizable amount of money. Early to bed early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. As a teenager I can safely say that I do not often follow this rule. When I do follow this rule I only rise early and in result I have a tired unproductive day. Imagine if someone followed this rule. No wasting time before bed with an energetic next day. That is what greatness is made out of. There are no pains without gains. Ah, the anthem of exercising. No pain no gain. It is fundamentally true that success doesn't come without work and visa versa. Nice to know this saying came from Ol' Ben Franklin. Never leave til tomorrow what you can do today. Don't procrastinate. It is as if he is speaking directly to me. He knows I haven't done my math homework yet. *Shudder* And my favorite; If you want a faithful servant, and one you like- serve yourself. Booyaah. The truth of this lesson was like a blow to the face. It just makes sense. The lessons embedded in this tight little book are surprisingly profound. All simple, the small lessons teach how to live to become wealthy in more ways than just money. This quick read is definitely worth it. What the reader learns may change their way of life and in result their destination. Reading this the reader has a moment of clarity realizing how these lessons of hard work and efficiency really are the way to wealth.
