SmithDRay's
Benjamin Franklin
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Benjamin Franklin
Poor Richard's Maxims
To err is human, to forgive divine, but to persist in erring is devilish.
Tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.
A mob is a monster - many heads but no brains.
To serve the public faithfully and please it entirely is impossible.
Don't judge a man's wealth - or his piety - by his appearance on Sunday.
Love your neighbor - but don't pull down your hedge.
A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.
If you would lose a troublesome visitor, lend him money.
God heals, and the doctor takes the fee.
Men and melons are hard to know.
After three days fish and guests smell.
Let your maidservant be faithful, strong - and homely.
Marry your son when you will, your daughter when you can.
There is no ugly love, and no handsome prison.
You cannot pluck roses without fear of thorns, Nor enjoy a fair wife without danger of horns.
Blessed is the man who expects nothing; he shall never be disappointed.
Benjamin Franklin's Epitaph
(written by Benjamin Franklin, early in his life)
THE BODY OF
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
PRINTER
(LIKE THE COVER OF AN OLD BOOK,
ITS CONTENTS TORN OUT
AND STRIPT OF ITS LETTERING AND GILDING)
LIES HERE, FOOD FOR WORMS.
BUT THE WORK SHALL NOT BE LOST,
FOR IT WILL (AS HE BELIEVED) APPEAR ONCE MORE,
IN A NEW AND EVEN MORE ELEGANT EDITION
REVISED AND CORRECTED
BY
THE AUTHOR
More Wit and Wisdom
by
Benjamin Franklin
You can bear your own Faults, why not a Fault in your Wife (or Husband)?
Great beauty, great strength, and great riches are really and truly of no great use; a right Heart exceeds all.
Hear no ill of a Friend, nor speak any of an Enemy.
If Passion drives, let Reason hold the Reins.
He that lieth down with Dogs, shall rise up with Fleas.
Do good to thy friend to keep him, to they enemy to gain him.
Teach your child to hold his tongue, he'll learn fast enough to speak.
If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.
And probably the most familiar of all: "Early to Bed and Early to Rise, makes a Man (or Woman!) Healthy, Wealthy and Wise!"
The Thirteen Virtues
by
Benjamin Franklin
1. Temperance - Eat not to dullness. Drink not to elevation.
2. Silence - Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order - Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution - Resolve to perform what you ought. Perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality - Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. Industry - Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity - Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice - Wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation - Avoid extremes. Forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Cleanliness - Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. Tranquility - Be not disturbed at trifles or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chastity - Rarely use venery but for health or offspring - never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.
13. Humility - Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
