writing to thee, but could not be reconciled to the thought that
the letter might fall into the hands of the British, lest some
printer or busybody should publish some part of the contents, and
give our friend pain, and myself censure.
"Some time since there fell into my hands, to my great joy, about
twenty-three sheets in thy own handwriting, containing an account
of the parentage and life of thyself, directed to thy son, ending
in the year 1730; with which there were notes, likewise in thy
writing; a copy of which I inclose, in hopes it may be a means,
if thou continued it up to a later period, that the first and
latter part may be put together; and if it is not yet continued,
I hope thee will not delay it. Life is uncertain, as the preacher
tells us; and what will the world say if kind, humane, and
benevolent Ben. Franklin should leave his friends and the world
deprived of so pleasing and profitable a work; a work which would
be useful and entertaining not only to a few, but to millions?
The influence writings under that class have on the minds of
youth is very great, and has nowhere appeared to me so plain as
in our public friend's journals. It almost insensibly leads the
youth into the resolution of endeavoring to become as good and
eminent as the journalist. Should thine, for instance, when
published (and I think it could not fail of it), lead the youth
to equal the industry and temperance of thy early youth, what a
blessing with that class would such a work be! I know of no
character living, nor many of them put together, who has so much
in his power as thyself to promote a greater spirit of industry
and early attention to business, frugality, and temperance with
the American youth. Not that I think the work would have no other
merit and use in the world--far from it; but the first is of such
vast importance that I know nothing that can equal it."
The other letter, from Mr. Benjamin Vaughan, gave similar advice.
THE WAY TO WEALTH,
AS CLEARLY SHOWN IN THE PREFACE OF AN OLD PENNSYLVANIA ALMANAC
ENTITLED "POOR RICHARD IMPROVED."
COURTEOUS READER: I have heard that nothing gives an author so great
pleasure as to find his works respectfully quoted by other learned
authors. This pleasure I have seldom enjoyed; for, though I have been,
if I may say it without vanity, an eminent author (of almanacs)
annually, now a full quarter of a century, my brother authors in the
same way, for what reason I know not, have ever been very sparing in
their applauses and no other author has taken the least notice of me;
so that, did not my writings produce me some solid pudding, the great
deficiency of praise would have quite discouraged me.
I concluded at length that the people were the best judges of my merit,
for they buy my works; and, besides, in my rambles where I am not
personally known, I have frequently heard one or other of my adages
repeated with "As Poor Richard says" at the end of it. This gave me some
satisfaction, as it showed not only that my instructions were regarded,
but discovered likewise some respect for my authority; and I own that,
to encourage the practice of remembering and reading those wise
sentences, I have sometimes quoted myself with great gravity.
Judge, then, how much I must have been gratified by an incident I am
going to relate to you. I stopped my horse lately where a great number
of people were collected at an auction of merchants' goods. The hour
of the sale not being come, they were conversing on the badness of the
times; and one of the company called to a plain, clean old man with
white locks, "Pray, Father Abraham, what think you of the times? Will
not these heavy taxes quite ruin the country? How shall we ever be
able to pay them? What would you advise us to do?" Father Abraham
stood up and replied, "If you would have my advice, I will give it to
you in short; for A word to the wise is enough, as Poor Richard says."
They joined in desiring him to speak his mind, and gathering round
him, he proceeded as follows:
"Friends," said he, "the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those
laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might
more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more
grievous to some of us. 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. However, let us hearken to good advice, and
something may be done for us; God helps them that help themselves, as
Poor Richard says.
I. "It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people
one tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service; but
idleness taxes many of us much more; sloth, by bringing on diseases,
absolutely shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor
wears, while The used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But
dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff
life is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more than is necessary
do we spend in sleep, forgetting that the sleeping fox catches no
poultry, and that there will be sleeping enough in the grave, as Poor
Richard says. If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time
must be, as Poor Richard says, the greatest prodigality; since, as he
elsewhere tells us, Lost time is never found again, and what we call
time enough always proves little enough. Let us, then, be up and be
doing, and doing to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with
less perplexity. Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry, all
easy; and, He that riseth late must trot all day and shall scarce
overtake his business at night; while Laziness travels so slowly that
Poverty soon overtakes him. Drive thy business, let not that drive
thee; and, Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy,
wealthy, and wise, as Poor Richard says.
"So what signifies wishing and hoping for better times? We make these
times better if we bestir ourselves. Industry need not wish, and he
that lives upon hopes will die fasting. There are no gains without
pains; then help, hands, for I have no lands; or, if I have, they are
smartly taxed. He that hath a trade hath an estate; and he that hath a
calling, hath an office of profit and honor, as Poor Richard says; but
then the trade must be worked at and the calling followed, or neither
the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are
industrious, we shall never starve; for, At the workingman's house
hunger looks in, but dares not enter. Nor will the bailiff or the
constable enter; for Industry pays debts, while Despair increaseth
them. What though you have found no treasure, nor has any rich
relation left you a legacy; Diligence is the mother of good luck, and
God gives all things to Industry. Then plow deep while sluggards
sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep. Work while it is
called to-day, for you know not how much you may be hindered
to-morrow. One to-day is worth two to-morrows, as Poor Richard says;
and, further, Never leave that till to-morrow which you can do to-day.
If you were a good servant, would you not be ashamed that a good
master should catch you idle? Are you, then, your own master? Be
ashamed to catch yourself idle, when there is so much to be done for
yourself, your family, your country, your kin. Handle your tools
without mittens; remember that The cat in gloves catches no mice, as
Poor Richard says. It is true there is much to be done, and perhaps
you are weak-handed; but stick to it steadily, and you will see great
effects; for, Constant dropping wears away stones; and, By diligence
and patience the mouse ate in two the cable; and, Little strokes fell
great oaks.
"Methinks I hear some of you say, Must a man afford himself no leisure?
I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says: Employ thy time
well, if thou meanest to gain leisure; and since thou art not sure of a
minute, throw not away an hour. Leisure is time for doing something
useful; this leisure the diligent man will obtain, but the lazy man
never; for, A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things.
Many, without labor, would live by their wits only, but they break for
want of stock; whereas industry gives comfort and plenty and respect.
Fly pleasures and they will follow you. The diligent spinner has a large
shift; and now I have a sheep and a cow, every one bids me good morrow.
II. "But with our industry we must likewise be steady and careful, and
oversee our own affairs with our own eyes, and not trust too much to
others; for, as Poor Richard says:
I never saw an oft-removed tree,
Nor yet an oft-removed family,
That throve so well as those that settled be.
And again, Three removes are as bad as a fire; and again, Keep thy
shop, and thy shop will keep thee; and again, If you would have your
business done, go; if not, send; and again:
He that by the plow would thrive,
Himself must either hold or drive.
And again, The eye of the master will do more work than both his
hands; and again, Want of care does us more damage than want of
knowledge; and again, Not to oversee workmen is to leave them your
purse open. Trusting too much to others' care is the ruin of many;
for, In the affairs of this world men are saved, not by faith, but by
the want of it. But a man's own care is profitable; for, If you would
have a faithful servant and one that you like, serve yourself. A
little neglect may breed great mischief; 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, being overtaken and slain by the enemy; all
for want of a little care about a horseshoe nail.
III. "So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own
business; but to these we must add frugality, if we would make our
industry more certainly successful. A man may, if he knows not how to
save as he gets, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone, and die
not worth a groat at last. A fat kitchen makes a lean will; and
Many estates are spent in the getting,
Since women forsook spinning and knitting,
And men for punch forsook hewing and splitting.
If you would be wealthy, think of saving as well as of getting. The
Indies have not made Spain rich, because her outgoes are greater than
her incomes.
"Away, then, with your expensive follies, and you will not then have
so much cause to complain of hard times, heavy taxes, and chargeable
families; for
Pleasure and wine, game and deceit,
Make the wealth small, and the want great.
And further, What maintains one vice would bring up two children. You
may think, perhaps, that a little tea or a little punch now and then,
diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little
entertainment now and then, can be no great matter; but remember, Many a
little makes a mickle. Beware of little expenses; A small leak will sink
a great ship, as Poor Richard says; and again, Who dainties love shall
beggars prove; and moreover, Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.
"Here you are all got together at this sale of fineries and
knick-knacks. You call them goods; but, if you do not take care, they
will prove evils to some of you. You expect they will be sold cheap,
and perhaps they may for less than they cost; but, if you have no
occasion for them, they must be dear to you. Remember what Poor
Richard says: Buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt
sell thy necessaries. And again, At a great pennyworth pause awhile.
He means that perhaps the cheapness is apparent only, and not real;
or, the bargain, by straitening thee in thy business, may do thee more
harm than good. For in another place he says, Many have been ruined by
buying good pennyworths. Again, It is foolish to lay out money in a
purchase of repentance; and yet this folly is practiced every day at
auctions for want of minding the Almanac.[208] Many for the sake of
finery on the back have gone hungry and half-starved their families.
Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets, put out the kitchen fire, as
Poor Richard says.
"These are not the necessaries of life; they can scarcely be called
the conveniences; and yet, only because they look pretty, how many
want to have them. By these and other extravagances the genteel are
reduced to poverty, and forced to borrow of those whom they formerly
despised, but who, through industry and frugality, have maintained
their standing; in which case it appears plainly that, A plowman on
his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees, as Poor Richard
says. Perhaps they have a small estate left them which they knew not
the getting of; they think, It is day and it never will be night; that
a little to be spent out of so much is not worth minding; but, Always
taking out of the meal tub and never putting in, soon comes to the
bottom, as Poor Richard says; and then, When the well is dry, they
know the worth of water. But this they might have known before, if
they had taken his advice. If you would know the value of money, go
and try to borrow some; for, He that goes a-borrowing goes
a-sorrowing, as Poor Richard says; and, indeed, so does he that lends
to such people, when he goes to get it in again. Poor Dick further
advises and says:
Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse;
Ere fancy you consult, consult your purse.
And again, Pride is as loud a beggar as Want, and a great deal more
saucy. When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more,
that your appearance may be all of a piece; but Poor Dick says, It is
easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow
it. And it is as truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as for the
frog to swell in order to equal the ox.
Vessels large may venture more,
But little boats should keep near shore.
It is, however, a folly soon punished; for, as Poor Richard says,
Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt. Pride breakfasted with
Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped with Infamy. And, after all, of
what use is this pride of appearance, for which so much is risked, so
much is suffered? It cannot promote health nor ease pain; it makes no
increase of merit in the person; it creates envy; it hastens misfortune.
"But what madness must it be to run in debt for these superfluities?
We are offered by the terms of this sale six months' credit; and that,
perhaps, has induced some of us to attend it, because we cannot spare
the ready money, and hope now to be fine without it. But ah! think
what you do when you run in debt; you give to another power over your
liberty. If you cannot pay at the time, you will be ashamed to see
your creditor; you will be in fear when you speak to him; you will
make poor, pitiful, sneaking excuses, and by degrees come to lose your
veracity, and sink into base, downright lying; for, The second vice is
lying, the first is running in debt, as Poor Richard says; and again
to the same purpose, Lying rides upon debt's back; whereas a freeborn
Englishman ought not to be ashamed nor afraid to see or speak to any
man living. But poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue.
It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
"What would you think of that prince, or of that government, who
should issue an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or
gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you not say
that you are free, have a right to dress as you please, and that such
an edict would be a breach of your privileges and such a government
tyrannical? And yet you are about to put yourself under such tyranny,
when you run in debt for such dress. Your creditor has authority, at
his pleasure, to deprive you of your liberty by confining you in jail
till you shall be able to pay him. When you have got your bargain,
you may, perhaps, think little of payment; but, as Poor Richard says,
Creditors have better memories than debtors; creditors are a
superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times. The day
comes round before you are aware, and the demand is made before you
are prepared to satisfy it; or, if you bear your debt in mind, the
term, which at first seemed so long, will, as it lessens, appear
extremely short. Time will seem to have added wings to his heels as
well as his shoulders. Those have a short Lent who owe money to be
paid at Easter. At present, perhaps, you may think yourselves in
thriving circumstances, and that you can bear a little extravagance
without injury; but
For age and want save while you may;
No morning sun lasts a whole day.
Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever, while you live, expense
is constant and certain; and, It is easier to build two chimneys than
to keep one in fuel, as Poor Richard says; so, Rather go to bed
supperless than rise in debt.
Get what you can, and what you get, hold,
'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold.
And when you have got the philosopher's stone, be sure you will no
longer complain of bad times or the difficulty of paying taxes.
IV. "This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but, after all,
do not depend too much upon your own industry and frugality and
prudence, though excellent things; for they may all be blasted,
without the blessing of Heaven; and, therefore, ask that blessing
humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at present seem to want
it, but comfort and help them. Remember Job suffered, and was
afterward prosperous.
"And now, to conclude, Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will
learn in no other, as Poor Richard says, and scarce in that; for, it
is true, we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct. However,
remember this: They that will not be counseled cannot be helped; and
further that, If you will not hear Reason, she will surely rap your
knuckles, as Poor Richard says."
Thus the old gentleman ended his harangue. The people heard it, and
approved the doctrine, and immediately practiced the contrary, just
as if it had been a common sermon; for the auction opened and they
began to buy extravagantly. I found the good man had thoroughly
studied my almanacs, and digested all I had dropped on these topics
during the course of twenty-five years. The frequent mention he made
of me must have tired any one else; but my vanity was wonderfully
delighted with it, though I was conscious that not a tenth part of the
wisdom was my own which he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings
that I had made of the sense of all ages and nations. However, I
resolved to be the better for the echo of it; and, though I had at
first determined to buy stuff for a new coat, I went away resolved to
wear my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy
profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever, thine to serve thee,
RICHARD SAUNDERS.
[Footnote 208: Poor Richard's maxims in the Almanac.]
PROVERBS FROM POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC.
The noblest question in the world is, What good may I do in it?
The masterpiece of man is to live to the purpose.
The nearest way to come at glory is to do that for conscience which we
do for glory.
Do not do that which you would not have known.
Well done is better than well said.
Who has deceived thee so oft as thyself?
Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.
He that can have patience, can have what he will.
After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser.
In a discreet man's mouth a public thing is private.
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
No better relation than a prudent and faithful friend.
He that can compose himself is wiser than he that composes books.
He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.
None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or
acknowledge himself in error.
Read much, but not too many books.
None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.
Forewarned, forearmed.
To whom thy secret thou dost tell,
To him thy freedom thou dost sell.
Don't misinform your doctor or your lawyer.
He that pursues two hens at once, does not catch one and lets the
other go.
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
There are no gains without pains.
If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's
stone.
Every little makes a mickle.
He that can travel well a-foot keeps a good horse.
He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things.
NOTES AND SUGGESTIONS
Though he did not consider himself a man of letters, Franklin was
throughout his long life a writer. His writing was incidental to his
business as a journalist and statesman. He also corresponded widely
with various classes of people. Fortunately many of these writings
have been preserved, and from these and the _Autobiography_ a number
of valuable lives have been written. The student will find pleasure in
referring to the Franklin volumes of the American Statesmen Series and
of the American Men of Letters Series. The three volume life by Mr.
John Bigelow and the one volume, _The Many-sided Franklin_, by Paul
Leicester Ford, will supply the years of Franklin's life not included
in his autobiography, the writing of which was several times
interrupted by public business of the greatest importance, and finally
cut short by the long illness that preceded his death.
Read the pages devoted to Franklin in Brander Matthews' _Introduction
to American Literature_. Matthews says of him, "He was the first great
American--for Washington was twenty-six years younger." "He was the
only man who signed the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of
Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with England, and the
Constitution under which we still live."
As you read Franklin's pages be on the alert for material to support
Mr. Matthews' statement, "Franklin was the first of American
humorists, and to this day he has not been surpassed in his own line."
Will one of you report to the class on "Franklin's Humor"?
Franklin was far in advance of his times on many questions. In 1783,
when concluding the Treaty of Peace with England, he tried to secure the
adoption of a clause protecting the property of non-belligerents in
subsequent wars. England would not accept this advanced idea, but
Frederick II of Prussia agreed to it, and since that time all civilized
governments have united in embodying it in the Law of Nations.
Franklin was one of the first and, in proportion to his means, one of
the greatest of American philanthropists. He said that he had "a trick
for doing a deal of good with a little money." In lending some money
to one who had applied to him for assistance, he instructed the
borrower to pass it on to some one else in distress as soon as he
could afford to repay it. "I hope it may thus go through many hands,
before it meets with a knave that will stop its progress."
Mr. Bigelow's Life of Franklin reproduces the philosopher's exact
spelling. He was one of the early spelling reformers. See his
"Petition of the Letter Z," p. 116, _The Many-sided Franklin_.
* * * * *
(_In the following notes the numerals refer to the pages of the text._)
=Page 17.= "Ecton, in Northamptonshire." In 1657 George Washington's
grandfather emigrated to Virginia from this same English county.
"Franklin, ... an order of people." Do you recall one of the titles of
Cedric, the Saxon, in Scott's _Ivanhoe_?
=27.= Notice his judgment regarding controversy. It will be
profitable, from time to time, to consider his remarks as throwing
light on the subject, "Franklin, a Manager of Men."
=28.= Read carefully the paragraph opening with a reference to _The
Spectator_, and using Franklin's method, reproduce that paragraph.
Apply this method to other good English selections and try to adapt it
to your translations from other languages.
As you read Franklin's account of his self-education, ask yourself
what quality it is in the student that gives best assurance of final
success in securing a real education.
=34.= Is Franklin's use of the word "demeaned" good?
=37.= In his reference to Bunyan and Defoe, Franklin proves himself
one of the first critics to recognize those writers as the fathers of
the modern novel.
=38.= "Our acquaintance continued as long as he lived." Few men have
placed a higher value on friends than did Franklin. He took the
trouble necessary to make friends and to keep them.
=61.= Read parts of Young's _Night Thoughts_.
=77.= Carefully observe the plan of the Junto and its subordinate
branches, and consider the value of such organizations for yourself and
friends. By referring to Bigelow's Life of Franklin, Vol. I, p, 185, you
will find detailed information concerning the rules of the Junto.