Diligence In Thy Calling

“Diligence in thy calling.” That’s what Benjamin Franklin had inscribed on his father’s tombstone.

This phrase is derived from Proverbs 22:29 which says, “Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings.”

Benjamin Franklin wrote in his late 70s, reflecting back on his path to prominence,

“I from thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction, which encouraged me, though I did not think that I would ever literally stand before kings, which, however, has since happened; for I have stood before five, and even had the honor of sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner.