This
book is summary advice from “Poor Richard Almanac” published from 1733-1758.
It’s a compilation of proverbs woven into a systematic ethical code advocating
industry and frugality as a “way to wealth”, thereby serving personal virtue.
Benjamin
Franklin said “the way to wealth”, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to
market. It depends chiefly in two words: Industry and frugality. Waste neither
time nor money, but make the best use of both. He that gets all he can
honestly, and saves all he can, will certainly become rich.
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 makes feasts and wise men eat them.
Best book on personal finance and success. Filled with
wisdom, Straight forward, simple to follow.
Notable Quotes:
1. A word to the wise is enough, but many words won’t fill a bushel.
2. 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.
3. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears.
4. The used key is always bright.
5. Lost time is never found again
6. What we call time enough always proves little enough
7. Sloth makes all things difficult; but industry all easy.
8. He that riseth late must trot all day.
9. Industry need not wish
10. He that lives upon hope will die fasting.
11. He that hath a trade has an estate; and he that hath a calling; hath an office of profit and honor.
12. At the working man’s house, hunger looks in, but doesn’t enter.
13. One today is worth two tomorrows
14. Be ashamed to catch yourself idle.
15. Little strokes fell great oaks
16. Constant dropping wears away stones
17. By diligence and patience the mouse ate into the cable
18. A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two different things.
19. Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.
20. Keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee.
21. Lack of care does us more damage than want of knowledge.
22. A little neglect may breed great mischief.
23. A fat kitchen makes a lean will.
24. Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.
25. Buy what thou has no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.
26. At a great penny worth, pause awhile.
27. Silks and satins, scarlets and velvets put out the kitchen fire.
28. A plowman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees.
29. If you would go to know the value of money go and try and borrow some. For he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.
30. When the well is dry, they know the worth of water.
31. Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse,
32. Every fancy you consult, consult your purse.
33. Pride is as loud a beggar as want and a great deal more saucy.
34. ‘‘Tis easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it.
35. Great estates may venture more, but little boats should keep near shore.
36. The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt.
37. Lying rides upon debt’s back.
38. ‘‘Tis hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
39. Creditors have better memories than debtors.
40. For age and want, save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day.
41. Rather to go to bed supperless than to rise in debt.
42. Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever while you live, expense is constant and certain.
43. It’s easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel.
44. Experience keeps an expensive school but fools will learn in no other.
45. We may give advice, but we can’t give conduct.
46. They that can’t be counseled, can’t be helped.
2. 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.
3. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears.
4. The used key is always bright.
5. Lost time is never found again
6. What we call time enough always proves little enough
7. Sloth makes all things difficult; but industry all easy.
8. He that riseth late must trot all day.
9. Industry need not wish
10. He that lives upon hope will die fasting.
11. He that hath a trade has an estate; and he that hath a calling; hath an office of profit and honor.
12. At the working man’s house, hunger looks in, but doesn’t enter.
13. One today is worth two tomorrows
14. Be ashamed to catch yourself idle.
15. Little strokes fell great oaks
16. Constant dropping wears away stones
17. By diligence and patience the mouse ate into the cable
18. A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two different things.
19. Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.
20. Keep thy shop and thy shop will keep thee.
21. Lack of care does us more damage than want of knowledge.
22. A little neglect may breed great mischief.
23. A fat kitchen makes a lean will.
24. Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.
25. Buy what thou has no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.
26. At a great penny worth, pause awhile.
27. Silks and satins, scarlets and velvets put out the kitchen fire.
28. A plowman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees.
29. If you would go to know the value of money go and try and borrow some. For he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.
30. When the well is dry, they know the worth of water.
31. Fond pride of dress is sure a very curse,
32. Every fancy you consult, consult your purse.
33. Pride is as loud a beggar as want and a great deal more saucy.
34. ‘‘Tis easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it.
35. Great estates may venture more, but little boats should keep near shore.
36. The second vice is lying, the first is running in debt.
37. Lying rides upon debt’s back.
38. ‘‘Tis hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
39. Creditors have better memories than debtors.
40. For age and want, save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day.
41. Rather to go to bed supperless than to rise in debt.
42. Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever while you live, expense is constant and certain.
43. It’s easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel.
44. Experience keeps an expensive school but fools will learn in no other.
45. We may give advice, but we can’t give conduct.
46. They that can’t be counseled, can’t be helped.
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