American Literature

One basic principle found in “The Way to Wealth” is the importance of being economical/ frugal. Throughout the essay, frugality is a principle needed for us to be successful. Franklin’s explanation of frugality is that a man must learn how to save as he gets. If one does not know how to save, he will work all his life and die without a penny to his name. To be wealthy, we must beware of little expenses as they add up over time. Once the nonessential expenses, such as luxuries,  are removed from our life; We will no longer struggle and complain about having to maintain them. In the essay, two aphorisms that Franklin uses to express this are “many a little makes a mickle” and “beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.”