Benjamin Franklin: Silence Dogwood, The Busy-Body, and Early Writings

 Rules to be observed in proper trade:

  1. Endeavor to be perfect in the calling you are engaged in; and be assiduous in every part thereof; INDUSTRY being the natural means if acquiring wealth, honor, and reputation; as IDLENESS is of poverty, shame, and disgrace. 
  2. Lay a good foundation of principles. But always keep your eye on the golden rule of doing as you would be done unto. 
  3. Be strict in discharging all legal debts. Above all, be wary of taking up high interest when you are especially in need of money. This has been the ruin of many, therefore endeavor to avoid it. 
  4. Be complaisant to the meanest, as well as the greatest: You are as much obliged to use good manners for a farthing, as well as a pound
  5. Be not too talkative, but speak as much as is necessary to recommend your goods. 
  6. Take great care in keeping your accounts well. Enter everything necessary in your books with neatness and exactness. Often state your accounts, often examine whether you gain or lose, and often carefully survey your stock. 
  7. Strive to maintain a fair character in the world: That will be the best means for advancing your credit, gaining you the most flourishing trade, and enlarging your fortune. 


Remember: the polite man aims at pleasing others, not just himself. 


Advice to a Young Tradesman, Written by an Old One:


Remember that time is money. Always take into account not just how much you spend but opportunity cost when you are not working. 


Remember that money is of a prolific generating nature. Money can beget money, and its offspring can beget more, and so on. In murdering a dollar on a bag of chips, you must remember you have destroyed all that it might have produced, even thousands of dollars. 


Remember to always pay punctually and exactly on the time you promised. Never keep borrowed money an hour beyond the time you promised, lest disappointment  shut up your friend's purse forever. 

Remember that creditors never like to ask for their money back. When you receive a little sum of money, divide it in proportion of your debts. Your creditor had rather be at the trouble of receiving ten pounds voluntarily brought to him, than have to demand his money until you can pay all $100. This shows that you are mindful of what you owe, and increases your credit and the patience if your creditor (when you pay in increments as soon as possible). 


Remember the path to wealth is through industry and frugality. Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both.