Josiah practiced the art, which his son would perfect, of marrying public virtue with private profit: he made money by selling candles to the night watchmen he oversaw.

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In Walter Isaacson's biography of Benjamin Franklin, the author highlights the entrepreneurial approach of Josiah Franklin, Benjamin's father. Josiah skillfully combined the notion of public service with personal gain, demonstrating a pragmatic understanding of business. His role as an overseer of night watchmen provided him the opportunity to sell candles to them, thus generating income while also serving a community need.

This ability to intertwine civic duty with profit would later be refined by his son, Benjamin Franklin. Josiah's example set a foundation for Franklin's future endeavors, where he would consistently find ways to align his economic activities with contributions to society, embodying a model of success that benefits both the individual and the community.

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March 02, 2025

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