An Analysis Of Franklin's 'The Way To Wealth'

Serious or Humorous? Uncovering The Way To Wealth’s Message
Benjamin Franklin wrote The Way to Wealth because he was frustrated that people were evading taxes, especially because these taxes helped the people and the city. He explained that the real issue was not the government’s taxes. He declared that the lack of virtue taxed people much more. Throughout the rest of the book, he conveyed that morality and public service were most important, and that one can avoid poverty through hard work and frugality (which was essentially an extension of the first idea). We know Franklin was serious because throughout his works, he clearly placed morality and public service above all else. Even though he was very ambitious and business was very important to him, he took time out to better himself by developing a list of thirteen virtues. Daily, he tried to master every single virtue, even the ones that were different from those he naturally possessed, such as humility. Once he made enough money, he retired at age 42 to serve his people and
Franklin spent most of The Way to Wealth discussing ways to be frugal, such as by being industrious and avoiding gambling. Although this was plausible, making and saving money served a greater purpose: It allowed people to pay their taxes and be just, not complain about hard times, and help the city. If they were filled with sloth, they will be deprived of spirit and virtue, something about which Franklin cared deeply. Because he wrote the book in 1758, 10 years after he retired from business and at a time when he was dedicated to public service, it made sense that he did not consider money to be the end. However, Franklin still thought in the people’s best interest, and he thought that morality would lead to prosperity and happiness (as it had for