Customer Reviews

The Way to Wealth: To which is added: The Whistle & The Advantages of Drunkenness

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In a similar way that the Richest Man in Babylon contains profound advice, this little gem is the same way. You can read it in a sitting, but ought to read it every couple months to remind you of the wisdom contained within.

He who desires to be wise, get this book. But as it says in the book (approx) "And they left the old man, praising the wisdom of his advice, and promptly disregarded all of it spending their money on wares they did not need ..."

What a timely classic! Written ages ago, this book remains relevant in our day. Here are the basics:

DESCRIPTION

Published by Juniper Grove in 2008. 22 pages of actual text. Contains three sections:

1) The Way to Wealth (p.1-15)
2) The Whistle (p.16-18)
3) The Advantages of Drunkenness (p.19-22)

SUMMARY

Taken directly from the book, "From 1732 to 1758, Benjamin Franklin wrote the highly successful 'Poor Richard's Almanack' under the pseudonym 'Richard Saunders.' In the 'Way to Wealth,' Franklin is again writing as Saunders, who stops at an auction and listens to a speech given by a character named Father Abraham." He stresses the need for hard work, prudence and correct lifestyle choices in improving your financial standing, with many famous suggestions like "early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise."

"On November 10, 1779, Franklin penned ['The Whistle'] in a letter to his friend Madam Brillon. He was living in Passy, France at the time working as the first American ambassador to France." He tells a short story about a whistle that he bought for too much -- but did not realize this until after the fact. He learned never to "give too much for a whistle" applying this concept to many aspects of life.

"The Advantages of Drunkenness" is a collection of sarcastic "if...then" couplets encouraging one to become a "drunkard." Some of my favorites from this section include: "If you would effectually counteract your own attempts to do well, be a drunkard; and you will not be disappointed"..."If youw ish to be robbed, be a drunkard; which will enable the thief to do it with more safety"..."If you wish to incapacitate yourself for rational intercourse, be a drunkard; for that will render you wholly unfit for it." You get the idea!

THOUGHTS

What a great collection of very pertinent ideas that work. I am amazed at how applicable these principles are to our day. Some may call me naive for thinking that plain old hard work can still improve one's station in life, but I am a believer that "diligence is the mother of good luck" (as Poor Richard says!) and that perseverance truly does precede providence. This is a great coffee table item that can be read in its entirety in half an hour!