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'" (Woolman, Chapter 3).
Franklin's Autobiography, in contrast, is a tale not of submission, but self-realization -- Franklin even absconded from the tyrannical rule of his brother to begin his own enterprise because the young Franklin was determined not to bend to what he saw as a tyrant's rule. Some of his advice in "The Way to Wealth" echoes Woolman's in spirit, like the advice to avoid fancy dress: "you are about to put yourself under such tyranny, when you run in debt for such dress! Your creditor has authority, at his pleasure, to deprive you of your liberty," Franklin advises (Franklin, "The Way to Wealth," 1758). But the purpose of such avoidance is not spiritual salvation through material denial, but to pursue "The Way to Wealth" by avoiding going into debt.
Rather than trusting in God's Providence, Franklin trusts in his own efforts. Perhaps Poor Richard's most radical theological statement is that "God helps those who help themselves," in other words that self-discipline and self-mastery...
Although Woolman advocates spiritual effort, it is an inner, rather than an outer struggle that is more important. This inner effort is diverted by worldly cares. The l rigors of business in Woolman's opinion, do not discipline the soul. For Woolman, the primary object is always spiritual prosperity, while for Franklin, cultivating a thrifty and austere life as a Quaker might advise is beneficial because it brings material prosperity.
Works Cited
Franklin, Benjamin. The Autobiography. Archiving Early America. 23 May 2003. http://www.earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/chapt1/
Franklin, Benjamin. "The Way to Wealth." 1758. Swarthmore College. 23 May 2003. http://www.swarthmore.edu/SocSci/bdorsey1/41docs/52-fra.html
Woolman, John. "The Journal of John Woolman." 23 May 2003. http://www.strecorsoc.org/jwoolman/w03.html#1
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