Essays and Letters, Volumes 1-2 |
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Page 1
Of a great poét it has been said , that “ he lisp ' d in numbers ; " and with equal
truth may it be affirmed of our philosopher , that , in the first efforts of his mind , he
thought in proverbs , which have been denominated the wisdom , of nations .
Of a great poét it has been said , that “ he lisp ' d in numbers ; " and with equal
truth may it be affirmed of our philosopher , that , in the first efforts of his mind , he
thought in proverbs , which have been denominated the wisdom , of nations .
Page 7
... an unguarded expression in his discourse , or even some personal defect ; and
the height of his low ambition is to put some one of the company to the blush ,
who perhaps must pay an equal share of the reckoning with himself . If such a ...
... an unguarded expression in his discourse , or even some personal defect ; and
the height of his low ambition is to put some one of the company to the blush ,
who perhaps must pay an equal share of the reckoning with himself . If such a ...
Page 23
This faculty ( how derived to him our family memoirs are not very clear ) was
enjoyed by all his descendants , but not by equal talents . It was very dim in
several of my first cousins , and probably had been nearly extinct in our particular
branch ...
This faculty ( how derived to him our family memoirs are not very clear ) was
enjoyed by all his descendants , but not by equal talents . It was very dim in
several of my first cousins , and probably had been nearly extinct in our particular
branch ...
Page 41
All we have to do then , Horatio , is to consider , when we are surprised with a
new object , and passionately desire to enjoy it , whether the gratifying that
passion be consistent with the gratifying other passions and appetites equal , if
not more ...
All we have to do then , Horatio , is to consider , when we are surprised with a
new object , and passionately desire to enjoy it , whether the gratifying that
passion be consistent with the gratifying other passions and appetites equal , if
not more ...
Page 80
... more , that your appearance may be all of a piece ; but poor Dick says , it is
easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it : ' and it is as truly
folly for the poor to ape the rich , as for the frog to swell , in order to equal the ox .
... more , that your appearance may be all of a piece ; but poor Dick says , it is
easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it : ' and it is as truly
folly for the poor to ape the rich , as for the frog to swell , in order to equal the ox .
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Popular passages
Page 79 - You may think, perhaps, that a little tea, or a little punch now and then, diet a little more costly, clothes a little finer, and a little entertainment now and then, can be no great matter ; but remember, ' many a little makes a mickle.' Beware of little expenses ; ' a small leak will sink a great ship...
Page 83 - ... the blessing of Heaven ; and therefore ask that blessing humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at present seem to want it, but comfort and help them. Remember Job suffered, and was afterwards prosperous. "And now, to conclude, 'Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other...
Page 155 - I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that "except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it.
Page 75 - ... as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love life ? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff" life is made of, as Poor Richard says. How much more than is necessary do we spend in sleep, forgetting that the sleeping fox catches no poultry, and that there will be sleeping enough in the grave, as Poor Richard says.
Page 74 - and neighbors, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing an abatement. However let us hearken to good advice, and something may be done for us; 'God...
Page 75 - Key is always bright, as Poor Richard says. But dost thou love Life, then do not squander Time, for that' s the Stuff Life is made of, as Poor Richard says. -How much more than is necessary do we spend in Sleep ! forgetting that The sleeping Fox catches no Poultry, and that there will be sleeping enough in the Grave, as Poor Richard says.
Page 157 - It therefore astonishes me, sir, to find this system approaching so near to perfection as it does ; and I think it will astonish our enemies, who are waiting with confidence to hear that our councils are confounded, like those of the builders of Babel ; and that our states are on the point of separation, only to meet hereafter for the purpose of cutting one another's throats. Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best.
Page 86 - The most trifling actions that affect a man's credit are to be regarded. The sound of your hammer at five in the morning, or nine at night, heard by a creditor, makes him easy six months longer; but if he sees you at a...
Page 76 - Richard say, one today is worth two tomorrows, and farther, have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today. If you were a servant, would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you idle? Are you then your own master, be ashamed to catch yourself idle, as Poor Dick says.
Page 75 - He, that hath a trade, hath an estate; and he, that hath a calling, hath an office of profit and honour," as poor Richard says: but then the trade must be worked at, and the calling well followed, or neither the estate nor the office will enable us to pay our taxes. If we are industrious, we shall never starve: for, " at the working man's house, hunger looks in, but dares not enter.
Bibliographic information
| Title | Essays and Letters, Volumes 1-2 British prose writers Essays and Letters, Benjamin Franklin |
| Author | Benjamin Franklin |
| Publisher | John Sharpe, 1820 |
| Original from | the New York Public Library |
| Digitized | 8 Dec 2006 |
| Length | 340 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |