I have been reading about Ben Franklin, one of our Founding Fathers and America’s original entrepreneur. He was a fascinating man, and his creations are still, in some form, being used today, i.e. libraries. I started reading about him because in some coaching work I was involved in, New You Life Coaching, I saw many quotes of his being used. Part of this coaching was about money; therefore, when there were images of money, his face seemed to appear – because he is on the hundred dollar bill. His eyes seemed to be staring at me, and I liked his quotes, and his Poor Richard sayings. It inspired me to read more about him.
Poor Richard once said, “God helps those who help themselves.”
He was a man who tried to live with integrity. He held high business ethics, and kept his eyes open for opportunities. He lived the first part of his life quite cheaply because he believed that debt held people in slavery. I believe that, too. It seems nothing can break a family apart faster than money problems, with the exception of infidelity. Ben was strict with himself, but because he didn’t squander his money and lived simply, he became debt free and wealthy. He worked long days, tried to surround himself with learned men, and didn’t cheat anyone. He believed in God, though he developed his own way of worshipping Him.
Poor Richard once said,”Think of three things; whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.”
One thing he said that I would like to leave you with, paraphrased: “Wrong doing is not harmful to yourself and others because it is forbidden; it is forbidden because it is harmful. It is in the interest of everyone to live a virtuous life if they want to be happy and successful. Nothing will make a person’s fortune like honesty and goodness, whether you work for yourself in business, or someone else.”
Poor Richard once said, “Search others for their virtues, thyself for your vices.”
Mary E.K. Denison, L.Ac., M.Om, NCCAOM, CCP, www.BeautifyNaturally.com www.mitzi.byregion.net
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