Benjamin Franklin - Philosophy, Happiness and Success
Benjamin Franklin (1706-90)
American politician (pictured right, who helped to draw up the American Constitution),
Philosopher (usually writing under the pseudonym of Poor Richard),
Diplomat and inventor.
For more detail see...
The American Declaration of
Independence in the History Highlights section.
What did he say about happiness and success?
1. Be good
Integrity and moral virtue are more important than anything else.
So be;
- patient and self-disciplined.
Franklin always asked himself at the start and end of each day:
- what good shall I do? and
Enjoy yourself but:
- save and avoid extravagance.
If you buy what you want, you will end up selling what you need.
2. Make your dreams come true
- work hard.
- do something worthwhile in your work and leisure (it is better to have a
useful life than die rich)
- seize your opportunities and overcome any problems.
- don’t dream of the future, but do something now.
- remember that small things are necessary for big dreams.
3. Be creative
- love new ideas and try them out.
- find solutions to people’s problems.
Franklin invented the lightning conductor, the stove, bi-focal spectacles and a soup bowl that didn’t spill in
ships!
4. Lifelong learning
- listen to and act upon other people’s wisdom.
- learn from continuous observation and experimentation.
For example, Franklin discovered that lightning is electrical by flying a kite in a thunderstorm.
5. Stay healthy
- don’t let your work harm your health.
Franklin said famously:
“Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise”.
6. Use your time well
You must take full advantage of every moment, because life is short.
7. Peace of mind
- have a clear conscience (by following your principles).
- don’t worry about little things or unavoidable problems.
8. Change
Never stop reinventing yourself by:
- adapting to changing circumstances.
- exploiting your opportunities.
Key quotes on
success
God helps them that help themselves.
Diligence is the mother of good luck.
Key quote on
health
Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
Key quotes on time
management
Do not squander time, for that’s the stuff that life is made of.
Time is money.
Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.
Key quote on corporate
culture
We must, indeed, hang together, or assuredly, we shall all hang separately (at the signing of the
Declaration of Independence, 1776).
Key quote on
change
When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.
Key quote on
negotiating
Necessity never made a good bargain.
Key quote on money and
happiness
Wealth is not his who has it but he who enjoys it.
The way to wealth depends on just two words: industry and frugality
Key quote on
death
Nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes
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