You know the rest of the aphorism, yes? “. . . early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” Attributed to Benjamin Franklin via Poor Richard’s Almanack. This saying is part of the foundation for driven Americans. Get up early, start working, work hard, and work long hours. That is the American formula for success.
Uh, no.
In Ben’s time, the majority of Americans were farmers and farmers had to work “under the Sun” because there were no artificial sources of light. One of my favorite John Wayne quotes is “We’re burning daylight.” Of course Wayne’s character is up, dressed, and has a pot of coffee on the fire before anyone else in camp stirs. When we went camping my father was the same way. He was up, dressed, had a fire going and pot of coffee on the fire before any of the rest of us stirred. That was one of the ways I knew my father was a real man.
But, still no.
Early to bed was because candles and lamp oil were expensive. Only the rich could afford to “stay up late.” And if you slept in, you lost the advantage of being able to see what you were doing, so get up you sluggard!
We now know that children are almost all “morning people.” They rise early and peak early (afternoon naps being a necessity). But adults are only about one third morning people, and two thirds “night people.”
So, either the creator god made a mistake when it created us this way or the American fable of the formula for success is just wrong.
What do you think?
BTW, I was always a morning person. I was one of those who willingly signed up for college classes with 7 AM and 8 AM starting times.
Postscript You might give some thought as to who benefits from the continuance of this meme. Just sayin’.
Uncommon Sense 