The Way to Wealth

This new edition of Benjamin Franklin’s The Way to Wealth draws upon the authoritative text first published in the early nineteenth century.

The original images from the timeless publication have been recovered and placed within this new text, bringing the original writings of Franklin fully into their historical context. For further authenticity, the text – including archaisms – has been preserved as Franklin wrote it.

The sayings introduced and promoted by Benjamin Franklin in this book promote a good work ethic and wise attitude to life and wealth. The aphorisms and lessons within this short text are consistent with the life of Franklin, whose multi-faceted career spanned the fields of inventing, public service, activism, diplomacy and the sciences.

Rather than speak the words directly, Franklin draws upon a character – Poor Richard – as a surrogate person who acts upon his lessons. By following the advice herein, Richard is no longer so poor and has begun to accumulate wealth thanks to being responsible and diligent in both work and leisure, combined with frugality. The words exemplify the Protestant work ethic for which Franklin would become recognised posthumously by economic thinkers such as Max Weber.

Much of the wisdom herein is timeless and imbued by the life experience of the Founding Father himself. Despite the archaic imagery and wording, it is possible to gain insight and inspiration in work from this book even today. Were such a text updated and authored for the modern day, we might refer to it as something of a ‘self-help’ guide – to Franklin however, these words were simple good sense.