Asher Sisneros

Asher K. Sisneros

Dr. Gary North

American Literature

November 4, 2024

The Founding Fathers laid the seeds that flourished into a new society. Their work resulted in the birth of a new nation, and each of them contributed differently to forming the character of this society. Different people will make arguments that different Founders exemplified American character more than others, making them the “archetypal Americans.” While there are strong cases for different men—such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Richard Henry Lee, Alexander Hamilton, and Patrick Henry, to list a few—there is probably the strongest case to be made for Benjamin Franklin.  

Of the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin was among the most productive—and prosperous. Unlike some of his contemporaries like Alexander Hamilton and Patrick Henry who were notoriously bad businessmen and thus poor, Benjamin Franklin was very prosperous. As one might expect, this was not because of family fortune or luck. Franklin’s economic prosperity was because of his business savviness, diligence, and hard work. In short, his success came from good ol’ American work ethic. 

Luckily, he wrote down principles of work ethic as aphorisms under the alias of Poor Richard, in his popular publication, Poor Richard’s Almanack. These aphorisms still exist today and are readily accessible. Many of these aphorisms linger on as part of common American vernacular. A personal favorite regarding work ethic is: 

Early to bed, early to rise, 

Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Another good one is: 

Beware of little expenses; 

A small leak shall sink a great ship. 

In a way, these aphorisms are beautiful because of their simplicity. There is nothing philosophically groundbreaking about his words, but he expresses these well-known principles in a way that makes them memorable. And that is what makes Franklin’s aphorisms so powerful. Unlike Penn’s aphorisms, which also express middle-class work ethic, Franklin’s have one tiny benefit: they are witty. 

His autobiography goes into detail about how he applied these principles. First, he worked diligently in the printing business. Then he launched a newspaper to rival his competitors, reformed the fire department that saved Philadelphia, led a militia, entered politics, started philosophical societies, and joined the board of the University of Philadelphia (modern-day University of Pennsylvania). This was all in addition to his scientific discoveries which gained him prominence and his numerous inventions, like the Franklin stove and bifocal glasses. Again, he was very productive. 

Through the 16th and 17th centuries, the Protestant work ethic became notorious. William Bradford notes how impressed the Dutch were with the Protestant work ethic when the Puritans lived in Holland. This culture of diligence followed the Puritans into New England and flourished. For the colonists, a good work ethic was not just a means to an end. They did not just work diligently to avoid starvation—although, that was certainly a factor too. Rather, their work ethic was an extension of their worldview. Because of their absolute faith in the sovereign authority of Scripture, the Puritans believed good work ethic was demanded of them; and that they were poor “stewards of this earth” if they did not work hard. In other words, work ethic became far more than just a feature of Protestant New England. It was part of their culture. 

Benjamin Franklin was virtually unmatched in terms of productivity, and he exemplified the work ethic of his Puritan forefathers despite his deism. Although the Puritans and their religious zeal fell into disfavor, their work ethic lived on and remained part of the American character. In that respect, Benjamin Franklin was not just a diligent man; he was not just a savvy capitalist; he was not just an inventor and garage tinkerer; he was not just a politician or pamphleteer. No, Benjamin Franklin was the living embodiment of the American character.