Thread: Benjamin Franklin - Using Shaving as an Example

Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day. Thus, if you teach a poor young man to shave himself, and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life than in giving him a thousand guineas. This sum may be soon spent, the regret only remaining of having foolishly consumed it; but in the other case, he escapes the frequent vexation of waiting for barbers, and of their sometimes dirty fingers, offensive breaths, and dull razors; he shaves when most convenient to him, and enjoys daily the pleasure of its being done with a good instrument.

-From The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Well said. I'd like to add that the young man also escapes the frequent vexation of waiting in lines in the supermarkets to purchase dull refills, in their sometimes noisy and hurried environment, offensive prices, and dull wits