The Way To Wealth

“I concluded at length, that the people were the best judges of my merit; for they buy my works.” 

Poor Richard, or rather, Benjamin Franklin, who employs this pseudonym for his almanac, has a pragmatic outlook regarding the success of his writing. Although his literary-minded peers have not honored him with the compliment of quoting him at length, the public have paid for the pleasure of his writing. The discussion of the financial success of Poor Richard’s Almanack is an apt way to begin this essay, which is a guide to gaining wealth.

“Father Abraham stood up, and replied, ‘If you’d have my advice, I’ll give it you in short, for a word to the wise is enough, and many words won’t fill a bushel, as Poor Richard says.’”

Father Abraham quotes Poor Richard at length when the crowd waiting outside the merchant’s storefront asks him for his advice and outlook. Father Abraham, Franklin’s philosophizing alter-ego, pays Poor Richard the compliment that he complains he lacks at the start of the essay by quoting him so frequently. The aphorisms are typical of Poor Richard, who writes in a pithy manner that is easy to remember.

“We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly, and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing an abatement.” 

Father Abraham is adamant that the personal failings of individuals who are lazy, proud, and foolish are a much more difficult personal and financial burden to bear than any taxes levied by the government or monarchy. These character flaws are much more difficult burdens than taxes could ever be thanks to the fact that they are within individuals; no one else can relieve the hardship of such burdens but the individual himself.