Benjamin Franklin’s Source of Wisdom
Industry is defined as, “ the aggregate of manufacturing or technologically productive enterprises in a particular field.” In 1748, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter entitled, “ Advice to a young tradesman. The words on his page were symbols of what was going on in the world around him Franklin was introducing ideas about industry and frugality that were perfect for the people living in what we now know as the great transformation.
Specifically, Franklin’s words reflect the social and cultural outlook of a new class called the “Bourgeois,” class of 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries. Franklin highlighted a social outlook of the new middle class as one of, how families during this time raised their children. He teaches, “nothing contributes more to the raising of a young man in the world than punctuality and justice in all his dealings.” In the time of the great transformation young men were raised as tradesman if they were to be wealthy. The fact that Franklin uses the word, “nothing” to say what is more beneficial to raising a young man he rules out all the stereotypical traits a young man might have: honesty, dignity, confidence in himself and so on. In Franklin’s time he was to only be raised as a punctual, just person.
Culturally, Franklin’s work reflects the Christian faith that eventually begins to change to Deistic. In his letter he writes, “ if that Being who governs the world, to whom all should look for a blessing on their honest endeavors, doth not in His wise providence otherwise determine.” In this statement, Franklin refers to God as “that Being who governs the world,” the fact that there is only one Being mentioned tells us that the culture was not polytheistic. It also tells the reader that the goals people had to accomplish(such as facilitating new rulers in foreign countries) should be “honest,” then the faith that the people had in one God would ensure blessing upon them. The passage also tells us that the people believed the ultimate outcome of what the people did was determined by God. He states, “ His wise providence otherwise determine,” meaning God decides what will happen if the people do not have faith.
Franklin lived in a time when punctuality, justice and Christianity were prevalent. In this, he promoted many ethical behaviors and values to his generation. First, he promoted diligent, hard work. Franklin reminds his reader that, “ time is money(…) he spends but six pence in his idleness(…) he has really thrown away , five shillings besides.” If time is money, and being idle is like throwing away money, one must spend his or her time wisely or it is as good as garbage. He also says that, “credit is money.” Loaning money to people is in one’s favor eventually because interest is gained and more money will be produced. He tells readers that, money is abundant. He states, “ the more there is of it, the more it produces every turning.”
Standing over all these words of advice were the words “industry” and “frugality” To balance how much you spend and how much you make was key to success according to this letter. It was also important to remember that no matter how much one makes you are not what you own.
All of these lessons contributed to the rise of the middle class. It was unseemly for a man to be sitting, unproductively and men were raised to be punctual and just, calling for a generation of entrepreneurs. Like time, money was not wasted. Men were frugal and industrious, meaning they would have much coming in and little being wasted. Also, the middle class was respected for their power, yet never overtaken, because they never, “ murdered a crown.” It was the time of accomplishment and Franklin encouraged traits, that if pursued by a tradesman could bring great fortune.
|
