I Have Stood Before Kings
Illustration★★★Ispent no time in taverns, games, or frolics of any kind; and my industry in my business continued as indefatigable as it was necessary. I was indebted for my printing-house; I had a young family coming on to be educated; and I had two compet itors to contend with for business, who were established in the place before me.
My eircumstances, however, grew daily easier. My original habits of frugality continuing, and my father having, among his instructions to me when a boy, frequently repeated a proverb of Solomon—‘“Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings;” I thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction; which encouraged me, though I did not think that Ishould ever literally stand before kings; which, howe ever, has since happened; for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of dining with one, the King of Denmark.
Franklin,
Franklin.
The point
Benjamin Franklin recalls that his father's repetition of a proverb about diligence bringing a man before kings encouraged his industriousness, which he says came literally true when he was later received by several kings.