Essays and Letters, Volumes 1-2 |
From inside the book
Page 6
... never to write again ; when perhaps it may not be a pin matter whether they ever do or no . As I have not observed the critics to be more favourable on this account , I shall always avoid saying any thing of the kind ; and conclude with ...
... never to write again ; when perhaps it may not be a pin matter whether they ever do or no . As I have not observed the critics to be more favourable on this account , I shall always avoid saying any thing of the kind ; and conclude with ...
Page 8
... never spoke yet but with a design to divert and please , and who was never yet balked in his intention . Eugenius takes more delight in applying the wit of his friends , than in being admired himself : and if any one of the company is ...
... never spoke yet but with a design to divert and please , and who was never yet balked in his intention . Eugenius takes more delight in applying the wit of his friends , than in being admired himself : and if any one of the company is ...
Page 10
... never known him or seen him before ? It was not an exqui- site form of person or grandeur of dress , that struck us with admiration . I believe long habits of virtue have a sensible effect on the countenance : there was something in the ...
... never known him or seen him before ? It was not an exqui- site form of person or grandeur of dress , that struck us with admiration . I believe long habits of virtue have a sensible effect on the countenance : there was something in the ...
Page 11
... never obliged to blush , and feel the confusion of finding himself detected in the meanness of a falsehood . He never contrives ill against his neighbour , and , therefore , is never seen with a louring , suspicious aspect . A mixture ...
... never obliged to blush , and feel the confusion of finding himself detected in the meanness of a falsehood . He never contrives ill against his neighbour , and , therefore , is never seen with a louring , suspicious aspect . A mixture ...
Page 12
... never yet a truly great man , that was not at the same time truly virtuous . O Cretico , thou sour philosopher ! thou cunning . statesman ! thou art crafty , but far from being wise . When wilt thou be esteemed , regarded , and beloved ...
... never yet a truly great man , that was not at the same time truly virtuous . O Cretico , thou sour philosopher ! thou cunning . statesman ! thou art crafty , but far from being wise . When wilt thou be esteemed , regarded , and beloved ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
act of parliament advantage America better Britain Busy-Body clothes colonies continue dæmons dear debts earth employed encourage endeavour England equal Europe expense farther favour February 18 Franklin friends frugality give Glaucon Gout happiness honour Horatio hundred increase industry inhabitants judges kind labour land less liberty live luxury Madeira wine magnetism manner manufactures marriages means ment merchants mind Mussulmen nation natural necessary neighbours never obliged observed occasion opinion parliament Pennsylvania Gazette perhaps persons Phil Philocles pleasure poor Richard says present produce profit Province of Pennsylvania provinces Prussia quantity racters raised reason rich river ruin self-denial shillings ships slavery slaves Socrates Spain specific gravity stamp act subjects subsistence suffered supposed taxes thee thereby things thou thought tion trade virtue whole wise
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.