Thursday, March 11, 2010

Words of Wisdom from the First American

These are a collection of musings uttered by Benjamin Franklin, the first great American.


At 20 years of age the will reigns; at 30 the wit; at 40 the judgment. (Poor Richard's Almanac)


A single man has not nearly the value he would have in a state of union. He is an incomplete animal. He resembles the odd half of a pair of scissors.


A Bible and a newspaper in every house, a good school in every district--all studied and appreciated as they merit--are the principal support of virtue, morality and civil liberty.


Carelessness does more harm than a want of knowledge.


Little boats should keep near shore.


Teach your child to hold his tongue, he'll learn fast enough to speak. (Poor Richard's Maxims)


As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and His religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see.


Constant complaint is the poorest sort of pay for all the comforts we enjoy.


A good conscience is a continual Christmas.


Creditors have better memories than debtors.


It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.


Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others.


Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. (Poor Richard's Almanac)


Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship.


If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him.


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 more elegant edition, revised and corrected by the author. (Epitaph on Himself, written in 1728)


None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.


A cheerful face is nearly as good for an invalid as healthy weather.


If you would not be forgotten as soon as you were dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.

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