Monday, December 16, 2013

Aphorisms from Poor Richard's Almanack



Friends of Honors English 10, we've been studying Benjamin Franklin and the Age of Reason as catalysts of the American Revolution. Franklin's aphorisms published in Poor Richard's Almanack voiced some of these stirrings. Enjoy!

    There are no gains without pains.

     Speak little, do much.

     If you would be loved, love and be loveable.


    Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. 
    Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. 
    Who is rich? He that is content. 
    Who is that? Nobody.

    At the working man’s house hunger looks in but dares not enter.

    Industry pays debts while despair increases them.

    Diligence is the mother of good luck.

    God gives all things to industry.

    Plough deep while sluggards sleep and you shall have corn to sell and to keep.

    Work while it is called today for you know not how much you may be hindered tomorrow.


    One today is worth two tomorrows.

    What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

    Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.

    He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

    He that has a trade has an estate.

    The noblest question in the world is What good may I do in it?

    Sell not virtue to purchase wealth nor liberty to purchase power.

    Nothing brings more pain than too much pleasure; nothing more bondage than too much liberty.

    Wink at small faults; remember thou hast great ones.

    Each year one vicious habit rooted out, In time might make the worst man good throughout.

    Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy.

    Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure when he is really selling himself a slave to it.

    Having been poor is no shame; but being ashamed of it is.



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