The Works of Dr. Benjamin Franklin: Consisting of Essays, Humorous, Moral, and Literary, with His Life

Front Cover
H. Pohlman, 1837 - Autobiographical memory - 328 pages

From inside the book

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 278 - 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 274 - What maintains one Vice, would bring up two Children. "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 what Poor Richard says, Many a Little makes a Mickle; and farther, Beware of little Expenses; A small Leak will sink a great Ship; and again.
Page 270 - ... Lost Time is never found again; and what we call Time enough, always proves little enough. Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the Purpose; so by Diligence shall we do more with less Perplexity. Sloth makes all Things difficult, but Industry all easy...
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 317 - Thus I consent, sir, to this Constitution, because I expect no better, and because I am not sure, that it is not the best. The opinions I have had of its errors I sacrifice to the public good. I have never whispered a syllable of them abroad. Within these walls they were born, and here they shall die.
Page 269 - It would be thought a hard government, that should tax its people one-tenth part of their time, to be employed in its service ; but idleness taxes many of us much more; sloth, by bringing on diseases, absolutely shortens life. Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears ; while the used key is always bright, as Poor Richard says.
Page 274 - You expect they will be sold cheap, and perhaps they may, for less than they cost ; but if you have no occasion for them, they must be dear to you. Remember what poor Richard says, " buy what thou hast no need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.
Page 164 - When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly employing himself in political bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by that neglect, He pays, indeed, said I, too much for his whistle.
Page 275 - 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 317 - 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.

Bibliographic information