''The Way to Wealth'' or ''Father Abraham's Sermon'' is an essay written by
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin ( April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. Encyclopædia Britannica, Wood, 2021 Among the leading inte ...
in 1758. It is a collection of adages and advice presented in ''
Poor Richard's Almanack
''Poor Richard's Almanack'' (sometimes ''Almanac'') was a yearly almanac
An almanac (also spelled ''almanack'' and ''almanach'') is an annual publication listing a set of current information about one or multiple subjects. It includes inform ...
'' during its first 25 years of publication, organized into a speech given by "Father Abraham" to a group of people. Many of the phrases Father Abraham quotes continue to be familiar today. The essay's advice is based on the themes of
work ethic
Work ethic is a belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. It is a set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination o ...
and frugality.
Some phrases from the almanac quoted in ''The Way to Wealth'' include:
* "There are no gains, without pains"
* "One today is worth two tomorrows"
* "A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things"
* "Get what you can, and what you get hold"
* "Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright"
* "Have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today"
* "The eye of a master will do more work than both his hands"
* "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise"
*
"For want of a nail..."
Further reading
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External links
''The Way to Wealth'' complete text online*
Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin ( April 17, 1790) was an American polymath who was active as a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. Encyclopædia Britannica, Wood, 2021 Among the leading inte ...
quotes on
Wikiquote
Wikiquote is part of a family of wiki-based projects run by the Wikimedia Foundation using MediaWiki software. Based on an idea by Daniel Alston and implemented by Brion Vibber, the project's objective is to produce collaboratively a vast refer ...
Works by Benjamin Franklin
Self-help books
1758 works
18th-century essays
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