Benjamin Franklin

Every line we carry

Each one links to its source, what it means, and the shirt in any of our looks.

1. Lost time is never found again.

   Money can be earned back; time cannot. Franklin calls wasting it the greatest extravagance. Spend it on purpose.

   The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)

2. Love life? Then don't squander time. That is what life is made of.

   Life is not made of days in general but of hours you actually use. Wasting time is wasting life itself. If you love living, guard your hours.

   The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)

3. The sleeping fox catches no poultry.

   Results go to the one who is awake and moving. Franklin uses the fox to mock oversleeping. Get up and hunt.

   The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)

4. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.

   Franklin asks how much more sleep we take than we need. Rest is good, but the long rest is coming anyway. Use your waking hours.

   The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)

5. The used key is always bright.

   Idleness rusts you faster than work wears you out. A key in daily use stays shiny. Keep yourself in use.

   The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)

6. Little strokes fell great oaks.

   Big tasks fall to small, steady efforts. Franklin pairs it with dripping water wearing away stone. Keep swinging.

   The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)

7. Plow deep while sluggards sleep.

   Do the deep work while others are idle and you will have more than enough. Effort compounds. The early, deep plowing pays at harvest.

   The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)

8. Drive your business. Don't let it drive you.

   Stay ahead of your work instead of being chased by it. Franklin says laziness moves so slowly that poverty overtakes it. Plan, then lead the day.

   The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)

9. Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.

   Learning by your own painful mistakes is expensive. The wise learn from advice and from others' mistakes. Take the cheaper lesson when it is offered.

   The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)

10. One today is worth two tomorrows.

    Tomorrow is uncertain; today is in your hands. Franklin adds: never leave till tomorrow what you can do today. Use this one.

    The Way to Wealth (Poor Richard Improved, 1758), Original English (Franklin's Way to Wealth, 1805 London printing)