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Good thing Franklin knew where to place his commas. |
Posted on 08/10/2004 8:45:56 PM PDT by pubmom
According to Benjamin Franklin himself, many of the proverbs and aphorisms found in "Poor Richard's Almanack" were gleaned from the "wisdom of the ages and nations." In the dictums and maxims that follow, one hears echoes of the Bible, the ancients, and collections of proverbs readily available in Franklin's own time. Yet, in recrafting many older sayings, Franklin, who was among other things an inventor and musician, brought new design and melody to timeworn truisms. Franklin once created a list of 13 virtues to live by. This baker's dozen included temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. The reader will see these virtues emphasized again and again in these quotes culled from Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanack."
Did Franklin himself listen to Poor Richard's advice? Sometimes. Sometimes not.
"Be temperate in wine, in eating, girls, and cloth, or the Gout will seize you and plague you both," Franklin wrote. Franklin relished his food, basked in the company of women, and at times used items of apparel to influence the way people perceived him. And, indeed, gout plagued Franklin for much of his life.
One thing that makes these aphorisms so compelling is that Franklin, while divine in apprehension, was in action very much a mortal. Take these morsels in moderation -- Franklin would have it no other way.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Eat to live, and not live to eat.
After three days men grow weary, of a wench, a guest, and weather rainy.
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
Fish and visitors stink after three days.
To err is human, to repent divine; to persist devilish.
Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose.
What you seem to be, be really.
Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine Languages. So ignorant, that he bought a cow to ride on.(This made me think of Teraaayzza.)
People who are wrapped up in themselves make small packages.
He that speaks much, is much mistaken.
Glass, China, and Reputation, are easily crack'd, and never well mended.
Silence is not always a Sign of Wisdom, but Babbling is ever a folly.
To be proud of virtue, is to poison yourself with the Antidote.
Nice!
over here
Forgive me if I've missed you, I don't have the ping list.
Between the 2 of us, we should be able to drag them over here.
I sent the message I told you about. I've had no response.
An excellent insight into life.
Now these are words to live by - or at least to use as a new tag line........
New Thread.
Sorry for those of you who are annoyed about receiving multiple pings.
Just ask yourself one little question: "Would I be annoyed by mulitple orgasims?"
LOL!
Probably Not. June is on sabbatical tonite.
I am laughing so hard here. :) You are really on a tear tonight.
I can't explain this. Just feeling my oats, I guess.
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Good thing Franklin knew where to place his commas. |
IG, I'll never think of multiple "pings" in the same way. (Oh, so that's what the kids are calling it nowadays).
Here's a laugher:
ROBERT F. Kennedy Jr. is considering burning down his Mount Kisco home and rebuilding it from scratch because it's so infested with bugs. Our wag in Westchester claims that Kennedy, a crusading environmentalist, is considering torching his family home because it's overrun with "something like termites, but not termites." Apparently in some circles, setting a home ablaze is considered more ecologically sound than simply spraying it with chemical pesticides.
When we called Kennedy for comment, he told us: "I urge you not to write this — it will damage the value of my house." He added: "We don't know what we're going to do," and declined further comment.
But it wouldn't be surprising for Kennedy to choose the most environmentally correct option. [It seems to me that creating all that smoke will cause all sorts of asthma problems!! RFKJr. accuses Bush of giving millions of children asthma through his enviro policies] As chief lawyer for Hudson Riverkeeper, a group dedicated to preserving the "ecological integrity" of the Hudson River, Kennedy has sued local governments and companies for polluting the Hudson and Long Island Sound and has gone after sewage treatment plants to force compliance with the Clean Water Act. (full story at Page Six)
Woo hoo, fat chicks for Kerry! Dontcha love the little horns I drew on Bush's head? I am soooo clever, I bet Teresa will thank me personally.
Thanks for the antidote.
You are so bad. LOL! I needed that laugh!
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