What is the meaning of Benjamin Franklin's quote Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure when he is really selling himself to it?

Answer 1

The REAL answer to your question is that what he means is, if a man is buying things for his own enjoyment, he is only selling himself to it, meaning he is using his money for living, on happiness, and happiness doesn't come with money. It might be confusing on the way that he said it himself, but it was back in the old days when they spoke a more, vivid English language.