According to Benjamin Franklin himself, many of the proverbs and
aphorisms found in "Poor Richard's Almanack" were gleaned from the
"wisdom of the ages and nations." In the dictums and maxims that
follow, one hears echoes of the Bible, the ancients, and collections of
proverbs readily available in Franklin's own time. Yet, in recrafting
many older sayings, Franklin, who was among other things an inventor
and musician, brought new design and melody to timeworn truisms
Franklin once created a list of 13 virtues to live by. This baker's dozen included:
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temperance
silence
order
resolution
frugality
industry
sincerity
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justice
moderation
cleanliness
tranquility
chastity
and humility
The reader will see these virtues emphasized again and again in these quotes, many culled from
Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanack."
Did Franklin himself listen to Poor Richard's advice? Sometimes. Sometimes not.
"Be temperate in wine, in eating, girls, and cloth, or the Gout will seize you and plague you both,"
Franklin wrote. Franklin relished his food, basked in the company of women, and at times used items of
apparel to influence the way people perceived him. And, indeed, gout plagued Franklin for much of his
life.
One thing that makes these aphorisms so compelling is that Franklin, while divine in apprehension, was
in action very much a mortal. Take these morsels in moderation — Franklin would have it no other way.
Instructions: Choose a Franklin proverb. Re-write the proverb in contemporary terms. Design and illustrate a
poster that present your proverb for display.
1.
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety.
2.
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
3.
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
4.
He that lieth down with Dogs, shall rise up with Fleas.
5.
The poor have little,
Beggars none;
The rich too much
Enough not one.
6.
The worst wheel of a cart makes the most noise.
7.
After crosses and losses, men grow humbler and wiser.
8.
If you would not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worthy reading,
Or do things worth the writing.
9.
Does thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that's the stuff life is made of.
10. To err is human, to repent divine; to persist devilish.
11. Well done is better than well said.
12. Who is rich? He that rejoices in his Portion.
13. Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine Languages.
So ignorant, that he bought a cow to ride on.
14. When there's no Law, there's no Bread.
15. People who are wrapped up in themselves make small packages.
16. Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge.
17. He that speaks much, is much mistaken.
18. Glass, China, and Reputation, are easily crack'd, and never well mended.
19. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
20. We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.
21. The church, the state, and the poor, are 3 daughters which we should maintain, but not portion off.
22. Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power.
23. A penny saved is a penny earned.
24. God helps those who help themselves.