Of all the Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin stands out for his diverse career. Statesman, diplomat, inventor, scientist and signer of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, Franklin was one of the leading figures in early American history.
But many today don’t know that Franklin began his career as a printer in Philadelphia and created one of the most popular publications in colonial American times, Poor Richard’s Almanack, which dispensed Franklin’s unique brand of wisdom. Every year starting in 1733, Americans waited for the release of this compendium of information, which was written by Franklin in the aspect of a fictional astrologer named “Poor” Richard Saunders and his wife, Bridget.
Love your enemies, for they will tell you your faults.
Franklin used his almanac as a “vehicle for conveying instruction among the common folk.” While it discussed topics including weather, astrology and agriculture, what is remembered even to the present day are Franklin’s humorous and practical proverbs, maxims and sayings.
Some of the best-known are listed here:
- Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
- Well done is better than well said.
- People who are wrapped up in themselves make small packages.
- He’s a fool who makes his doctor his heir.
- He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.
- Necessity never made a good bargain.
- A Penny saved is Twopence clear.
- Diligence is the mother of good luck.
- Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices.
- Kings and bears often worry their keepers.
- Haste makes waste.
- No gains without pains.
- Vice knows she’s ugly, so puts on her mask.
- Love your enemies, for they will tell you your faults.
- There’s a time to wink as well as to see.
- There was never a good knife made of bad steel.
- God helps them that help themselves.
- Fish and visitors stink after three days.
- One today is worth two tomorrows.
- If a man could have half his wishes, he would double his troubles.
- Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
- Work as if you were to live a hundred years,
- Pray as if you were to die tomorrow.
- The cat in gloves catches no mice.
- A countryman between two lawyers is like a fish between two cats.
Although some of these sayings originated with Franklin, Franklin stated in his own autobiography that most of them “contained the wisdom of many ages and nations.” He often took older proverbs and shortened or reworded them. Poor Richard’s Almanack sold ten thousand copies a year in colonial America, and because only one edition was published annually, it outsold the Bible.
Through Poor Richard’s proverbs, Franklin inspired citizens to “inculcate industry and frugality as the means of procuring wealth and thereby securing virtue.” His humor and wit helped his messages resonate with readers. Today, as in years past, Americans can still read Franklin’s work, smile and grow wiser.
Steve Villalobos is a Southern California professional who holds an undergraduate degree in American History and political science. He is also a contributor and writer for 1776history.com.
