Benjamin Franklin

Principles are our summary of their public statements.

• Invest in high-leverage reading

  Learning

  Reading books that provide practical frameworks for doing good or solving problems can shape one's entire career and strategic thinking.

  Source The Printer Boy; Or, How Benjamin Franklin Made His Mark: An Example for Youth.  (opens in a new tab)

• Practice extreme frugality for growth

  Wealth

  Reducing personal expenses to the bare minimum allows a founder to reinvest both saved capital and saved time into self-improvement and business knowledge.

  Source The Printer Boy; Or, How Benjamin Franklin Made His Mark: An Example for Youth.  (opens in a new tab)

• Beware of corrupting others' principles

  Integrity

  Influencing others to abandon their moral or religious restraints can lead to their ruin and ultimately cause loss to oneself.

  Source The Printer Boy; Or, How Benjamin Franklin Made His Mark: An Example for Youth.  (opens in a new tab)

• Happiness Requires Self-Approval

  Integrity

  True satisfaction only comes from actions that can withstand the test of one's own sober judgment and reflection.

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 2 of 2]: With his Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and  (opens in a new tab)

• Protect Open Criticism

  Leadership

  A healthy organization or society derives strength from the ability to examine and criticize the actions of those in power.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 2 of 2]: With his Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and  (opens in a new tab)

• Maintain Consistency in Rules

  Integrity

  If a principle is right for one group, it must be applied equally to all to maintain fairness and order.

  Supporting quotes

  • “I say, when you are sure you have got a good principle, stick to it and carry it through.”

  2 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

• Prioritize utility over appearance

  Product

  Choose gifts or tools that encourage industrious habits and practical skills rather than mere decoration or status.

  Source Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 2 of 2]: With his Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and  (opens in a new tab)

• Maintain Integrity with Partners

  Integrity

  Engaging in private, unauthorized negotiations can ruin credit with existing allies and is highly improper toward one's constituents.

  Source Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 2 of 2]: With his Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and  (opens in a new tab)

• Use familiar analogies for complex ideas

  Content

  Explain difficult concepts by comparing them to everyday occurrences, like water in a canal or air in a room with a fireplace.

  3 more supporting quotes are in the member records.

  Source Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin; Written by Himself. [Vol. 2 of 2]: With his Most Interesting Essays, Letters, and Miscellaneous Writings; Familiar, Moral, Political, Economical, and  (opens in a new tab)