Books with author Benjamin Franklin Thomas

I stopped my horse, lately, where a great number of people were collected at an auction of merchants’ goods. The hour of the sale not being come, they were conversing on the badness of the times; and one of the company called to a plain, clean, old man, with white locks, ’Pray, Father Abraham, what think you of the times? Will not those heavy taxes quite ruin the country! How shall we be ever able to pay them? What would you advise us to?’——Father Abraham stood up, and replied, ’If you would have my advice, I will give it you in short; "for a word to the wise is enough," as Poor Richard says.’ They joined in desiring him to speak his mind, and, gathering round him (...) - Taken from "The Way To Wealth" written by Benjamin Franklin under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders. "The Way To Wealth" is also known as "Franklin's Way To Wealth Or, Poor Richard Improved". This edition also contains various selected writings of Benjamin Franklin.

The Way to Wealth is an essay written by Benjamin Franklin in 1758. It is a collection of adages and advice presented in Poor Richard's Almanac during its first 25 years of publication, organized into a speech given by "Father Abraham" to a group of people. Many of the phrases Father Abraham quotes continue to be familiar today. The essay's advice is based on the themes of work ethic and frugality. Some phrases from the almanac quoted in The Way to Wealth include: • "There are no gains, without pains" • "One today is worth two tomorrows" • "A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things" • "Get what you can, and what you get hold" • "Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright" • "Have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today" • "The eye of a master will do more work than both his hands" • "Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise" • "For want of a nail...". Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 - April 17, 1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. A renowned polymath, Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, freemason, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics for his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and a university. Franklin earned the title of "The First American" for his early and indefatigable campaigning for colonial unity, initially as an author and spokesman in London for several colonies. As the first United States Ambassador to France, he exemplified the emerging American nation. Franklin was foundational in defining the American ethos as a marriage of the practical values of thrift, hard work, education, community spirit, self-governing institutions, and opposition to authoritarianism both political and religious, with the scientific and tolerant values of the Enlightenment. In the words of historian Henry Steele Commager, "In a Franklin could be merged the virtues of Puritanism without its defects, the illumination of the Enlightenment without its heat." To Walter Isaacson, this makes Franklin "the most accomplished American of his age and the most influential in inventing the type of society America would become."

This volume presents the Benjamin Franklin's famous essay "The Way to Wealth", which incorporates many of the "Poor Richard" sayings into a treatese on thrift, economy, and financial wisdom -- filled with advise as prudent today as when it was originally issued more than 250 years ago. Rounding out the volume are the companion pieces "From the Morals of Chess" and the humorous essay "A Receipt to Make a New-England Funeral Elegy."

This new edition of Benjamin Franklin’s The Way to Wealth draws upon the authoritative text first published in the early nineteenth century. The original images from the timeless publication have been recovered and placed within this new text, bringing the original writings of Franklin fully into their historical context. For further authenticity, the text – including archaisms – has been preserved as Franklin wrote it. The sayings introduced and promoted by Benjamin Franklin in this book promote a good work ethic and wise attitude to life and wealth. The aphorisms and lessons within this short text are consistent with the life of Franklin, whose multi-faceted career spanned the fields of inventing, public service, activism, diplomacy and the sciences. Rather than speak the words directly, Franklin draws upon a character – Poor Richard – as a surrogate person who acts upon his lessons. By following the advice herein, Richard is no longer so poor and has begun to accumulate wealth thanks to being responsible and diligent in both work and leisure, combined with frugality. The words exemplify the Protestant work ethic for which Franklin would become recognised posthumously by economic thinkers such as Max Weber. Much of the wisdom herein is timeless and imbued by the life experience of the Founding Father himself. Despite the archaic imagery and wording, it is possible to gain insight and inspiration in work from this book even today. Were such a text updated and authored for the modern day, we might refer to it as something of a ‘self-help’ guide – to Franklin however, these words were simple good sense.

First published in 1732 by Benjamin Franklin when he was just 26, Poor Richard's Almanack was issued annually for the next 25 years. Extremely popular with readers of the day, the Almanack was a fascinating compilation of weather predictions, recipes, jokes, and delightful aphorisms — many representing Franklin's common-sense philosophy, and others, proverbs from the past.This handy little volume presents hundreds of these charming maxims, carefully selected from a number of Franklin's "almanacks." Arranged in nearly 30 categories (eating and drinking; men, women, and marriage; friendships; money and frugality; religion; professions and occupations, etc.), they include such familiar phrases as:Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.Haste makes waste.Love your Neighbour; yet don't pulldown your Hedge.He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas.Hunger never saw bad bread.He's a Fool that makes his Doctor his Heir.He that has not got a Wife, is not yet a compleat Man.An ideal sourcebook for writers, public speakers, and students, this practical and entertaining little book will also delight general readers with its rich store of time-honored folk wisdom.

The fascinating tale of one of America's founding fathers, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin continues the tradition of Arcturus's classics range by publishing the writings of some of the world's most famous figures. In one of the most exemplary autobiographies ever written, Benjamin Franklin explores his vast range of interests from politics to writing to science. Through his considered narrative and his account of his varied accomplishments, he provides a window into the world during the era of the American War of Independence.

"""The first book to belong permanently to literature. It created a man."" Few men could compare to Benjamin Franklin. Virtually self-taught, he excelled as an athlete, a man of letters, a printer, a scientist, a wit, an inventor, an editor, and a writer, and he was probably the most successful diplomat in American history. David Hume hailed him as the first great philosopher and great man of letters in the New World.Written initially to guide his son, Franklin's autobiography is a lively, spellbinding account of his unique and eventful life. Stylistically his best work, it has become a classic in world literature, one to inspire and delight readers everywhere."

Excerpt from Poor Richard's AlmanackOpposite historic Old South Church in Boston, on January 6, 1706, was born Benjamin Franklin.Benjamin was the fifteenth child of Josiah Franklin, whose occupation was that of tallow-chandler or candle-maker. Business was not prosperous, and the Franklin family was reared in very hum ble circumstances.As a child, Benjamin hungered for books and knowledge. During the two years that his father was able to send him to school, he showed remarkable aptitude and industry, and rapidly outdistanced his fellow pupils.The first book which Franklin read was Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. By trad ing and borrowing, he managed to secure other volumes. His passion for reading was so intense that he attracted the at tention of a kind-hearted Boston mer chant, who gave the boy access to his well-stocked library. Franklin read only books which could add to his education, and read them with a thoroughness that extracted every bit of useful knowledge.About the PublisherForgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.comThis book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin is the traditional name for the unfinished record of his own life written by Benjamin Franklin from 1771 to 1790; however, Franklin himself appears to have called the work his Memoirs. Although it had a tortuous publication history after Franklin's death, this work has become one of the most famous and influential examples of autobiography ever written.