In the 1700’s, when Benjamin Franklin first said “Early to Bed, Early to Rise, Makes a Man, Healthy, Wealthy and Wise,” farming was a major industry. The farmer that rose early was able to get more work done before the sun became an enemy. More production meant more of an ability to grow and harvest crops for a more stable earning potential. However, if a farmer chose to rise later he would lose the opportunity of additional time to be more productive. Rising earlier would allow the farmer to limit sun exposure creating more health. More production led to additional wealth and of course doing this made you wise.
Early to Bed, Early to Rise, makes a Man Healthy, Wealthy and Wise."Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanac; 1753
What does this have to do with us two hundred years later?
Literally, we do not have to worry about sun exposure if we have enough SPF on, but we do need to be cautious of long work hours. The ability to work at the office, from home or on the road has opened up an entirely new realm of working all the time. More rest means we can be more productive when we rise early for work, while also giving us more down time earlier in the day to spend it with loved ones. There are definitely more ways to be rich than just having a lot of money, and knowing this will make us all a little more wise.