The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Consisting of Essays, Humorous, Moral, and Literary, with His Life |
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Page 17
... become a man of letters , confirmed him in this design . My uncle Benjamin approved also of the scheme , and promised to give me all his volumes of sermons , written as I have said in the short - hand of his invention , if I would take ...
... become a man of letters , confirmed him in this design . My uncle Benjamin approved also of the scheme , and promised to give me all his volumes of sermons , written as I have said in the short - hand of his invention , if I would take ...
Page 51
... become of me , should he fail to make good the deficiency . His habit of drinking did not at all diminish , and was a frequent source of discord between us ; for when he had drank a little too much , he was very head - strong . Being ...
... become of me , should he fail to make good the deficiency . His habit of drinking did not at all diminish , and was a frequent source of discord between us ; for when he had drank a little too much , he was very head - strong . Being ...
Page 55
... become his colleague in the establishment of a new religious sect . He was to propagate the doctrine by preaching , and I to refute every opponent . When he explained to me his tenets , I found many absurdities , which I refused to ...
... become his colleague in the establishment of a new religious sect . He was to propagate the doctrine by preaching , and I to refute every opponent . When he explained to me his tenets , I found many absurdities , which I refused to ...
Page 59
... becoming a poet . I left nothing unattempted to divert him from his purpose ; but he persevered , till at last the reading of Pope effected his cure : he became , however , a very tolerable prose writer . I shall speak more of him ...
... becoming a poet . I left nothing unattempted to divert him from his purpose ; but he persevered , till at last the reading of Pope effected his cure : he became , however , a very tolerable prose writer . I shall speak more of him ...
Page 67
... becoming indignation . She informed Ralph of my conduct ; and the affair occasioned a breach between us . When he returned to London , he gave me to understand that he con- sidered all the obligations he owed me as annihilated by this ...
... becoming indignation . She informed Ralph of my conduct ; and the affair occasioned a breach between us . When he returned to London , he gave me to understand that he con- sidered all the obligations he owed me as annihilated by this ...
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Popular passages
Page 279 - This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but, after all do not depend too much upon your own industry and frugality and prudence, though excellent things; for they may all be blasted, without 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 afterward prosperous. " And now, to conclude, Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other...
Page 276 - If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some; for, he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing; and indeed so does he that lends to such people, when he goes to get it in again.
Page 273 - And again, Three removes are as bad as a fire ; and again, Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee ; and again, If you would have your business done, go ; if not, send. And again, — He that by the plough would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive.
Page 156 - 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.
Page 272 - Methinks I hear some of you say, Must a Man afford himself no Leisure ? I will tell thee, my friend, what Poor Richard says, Employ thy Time well, if thou meanest to gain Leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a Minute, throw not away an hour.
Page 270 - ... 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 helps them that help themselves, as Poor Richard says, in his Almanac of 1733.
Page 271 - Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the used key is always bright, 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 251 - ... molested in their persons, nor shall their houses or goods be burnt, or otherwise destroyed, nor their fields wasted by the armed force of the enemy...
Page 274 - A fat Kitchen makes a lean Will, as Poor Richard says; and Many Estates are spent in the Getting, Since Women for Tea forsook Spinning and Knitting, And Men for Punch forsook Hewing and Splitting.
Page 274 - A little neglect may breed great mischief; adding, for want of a nail the shoe was lost ; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost ; and for want of a horse the rider was lost...