To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it.
Benjamin FranklinRead
There seem to be but three ways for a nation to acquire wealth. The first is by war, as the Romans did, in plundering their conquered neighbors. This is robbery. The second by commerce, which is generally cheating. The third by agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the ground, in a kind of continual miracle, wrought by the hand of God in his favor, as a reward for his innocent life and his virtuous industry.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote discusses three methods through which a nation can acquire wealth, emphasizing agriculture as the most honest and virtuous.
In this quote, Benjamin Franklin critiques the ways nations accumulate wealth, highlighting war and commerce as dishonest methods, while portraying agriculture as the only legitimate form of wealth acquisition. He argues that unlike war, which is fundamentally robbing others, or commerce that often involves deceit, agriculture produces genuine value through honest labor and the benevolence of divine forces, thus aligning wealth with virtuous living and industry.
Themes
WealthAgricultureHonestyLaborPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on economic systems, one might use this quote to illustrate the importance of ethical wealth generation.
More from Benjamin Franklin
All quotes →He'll cheat without scruple, who can without fear.
Benjamin FranklinRead
[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Our Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Benjamin FranklinRead
Let honesty and industry be thy constant companions, and spend one penny less than thy clear gains; then shall thy pocket begin to thrive; creditors will not insult, nor want oppress, nor hungerness bite, nor nakedness freeze thee
Benjamin FranklinRead
I think that a young state, like a young virgin, should modestly stay at home, and wait the application of suitors for an alliance with her; and not run about offering her amity to all the world; and hazarding their refusal. Our virgin is a jolly one; and tho at present not very rich, will in time be a great fortune, and where she has a favorable predisposition, it seems to me well worth cultivating.
Benjamin FranklinRead
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