Industry and the Way to Wealth, of Luxury

Benjamin Franklin was born in Boston. He worked as a printer for his brother's paper, taking over the publication after his brother was thrown in jail for criticizing Puritan preachers. He eventually fled to Philadelphia where he also worked as an apprentice printer. Franklin spent several years in England after embarking on a trip to get printing supplies. After returning from the 'Mother land,' Franklin set up a print shop and eventually a general store and bookstore. He produced one illegitimate child before marrying. Franklin bought and contributed to The Pennsylvania Gazette. He also wrote Poor Richard's Almanac under the pen-name Richard Saunders. The almanac is famous for witty phrases like, "The sleeping fox catches no poultry," "He that lives upon hope will die fasting," "A penny saved is a penny earned," "Plough deep while Sluggards sleep, and you shall have corn to sell and to keep." Many people know Franklin for his inventions and investigations like the creation of bi-focal lenses, experiments with electricity (the kite experiment), the creation of the first library in the U.S. and several hospitals among many other accomplishments. Benjamin Franklin is probably best known for his contribution to the Declaration of Independence. For a long time, Franklin was a proud Englishman, but corruption of officials in the colonies and and England drove Franklin to form a union of the colonies. Franklin also wrote treatise against slavery.

Industry and the Way to Wealth

Benjamin Franklin writes of industry as a "means of obtaining wealth and distinction." According to him, one must live a spotless life, as much as possible and work on eliminating bad habits and faults. This, he says, will make someone more successful in obtaining wealth and industry. Franklin named 13 virtues to be employed by someone seeking to be "diligent in [their] calling."

"1. temperance- eat not to dullness: drink not to elevation

2. silence- speak not but what may benefit others or yourself, avoid trifling conversation

3. order- let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time

4. resolution- resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve

5. frugality- make no expense but to do good to others or yourself, i.e., waste nothing

6. industry- lose no time; be always employed in something useful, cut off all unnecessary actions

7. sincerity- use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly

8. moderation- avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve

10. cleanliness- tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation

11. tranquility- be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable

12. chastity- rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury or your own or another's peace or reputation

13. humility- imitate Jesus and Socrates

Franlin gives an example of the order of his day, noting that not all of these virtues can be tended to at once.

5-6- the morning: rise, wash and address Powerful Goodness, contrive day's business, and take the resolution of the day; prosecute the present study, and breakfast. Question- What good shall I do this day?

7-11- work

12-1- read, or overlook my accounts, and dine

2-5- work

6-8- put things in their places. Supper. Music or diversions, or conversation. Examination fo the day. Question- What good have I done today?

10-4- night: sleep

It is clear that Franklin uses a methodical structure to organize his daily activities so that he is always productive, and focuses on doing good.

Franklin sees idleness as very problematic, for it produces no good. If you are not working (idle) you will be in want and will not always act honestly as, "it is hard for an empty sack to stand upright." The second passage of Franklin's section in the Enlightenment Reader discusses the heavy taxation at the time, but says, "We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and tour times as much by our folly... God help them that help themselves." The point is that industrious will be able to provide for themselves, but those that fall to idleness and folly create disease, starve and will remain in a state of want. Franklin's daily method is used to insure productivity, sufficiency and to ward off faults. The second excerpt is peppered with one-liners and proverbs taken from Poor Richard. I know I have given many quotes in this summary, but I think they are more potent that any regurgitation I might be able to give. The last quote I give is a great one to meditate on given everything we are/have been discussing in HUST 461 and 463

" If you were a 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..."

Of Luxury
by David Hume

In this essay, Hume says that the age of the Enlightenment (not the term he used, of course) was one of great thinkers as well as commercial and skilled workers. He says that the two go 'hand in hand.' Hume argues that industry, knowledge and humanity are irrevocably linked. The demand for luxuries in a society make the people of that society labor for them, otherwise they would "sink into indolence, lose all enjoyment of life, and are useless to the public." Refinement of the arts enables other industries to prosper. Hume lists "laws, order, police, discipline" as things that would not operate perfectly if human reason has not been exercised. Refinements further civilizations from barbarity, and make people milder or less severe. Hume argues that "progress in the arts" is conducive to a free government. He says that "unpolished" lands focus on agricultural work and submit to slavery and subjection, while nations with luxury and commerce allow the poor to become rich and independent along with the benefits of the tradesman and merchants.
"Curiosity allures the wise, vanity the foolish, and pleasure both."

Discussion Questions:

Do Franklin's ideas about industry and the way to wealth reflect the Enlightenment attitudes we have discussed so far? How?

Do you think Franklin's location (America) effects his ideas about wealth and industry? How?

Do you agree with Hume that refinements in the arts remove communities farther from barbarianism?