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.
All right!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I had to duck out for phys. therapy and some errands, but I join in the woo-hooing! What a well-deserved honor. Stewart's been playing such solid golf, and I'm glad Hal acknowledged that. Can't wait for the Ryder Cup matches to begin! Congratulations.
M:
I can't wait either! It's in Michigan...I wonder if Dubya will go. Wouldn't think he'd miss it, right smack dab in the middle of a battleground state!
HLL:
Do you think you'll try to go? September 14 - 19. (My birthday, too!) Aren't you near Oakland Hills, Bloomfield Township?
I'm just so excited for him. He really wanted to make the top 10 for an automatic slot, but being picked is maybe a greater honor.
Congrats to Stewart. I'll be rooting for him.
I think being selected is quite an honor. Some of those who automatically qualified are not very good at match play, frankly, and with his selections, Sutton chose those he really thought could contribute.
I have been invited to a house party at Oakland Hills for the Ryder Cup so I am sure I will be able to see Stewart.
I am so happy for you, Stewart and your family. Congratulations!
(It looks like a scene from The Music Man to me!)
Donna Kimble, left, of Waterloo, Iowa, listens to Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. John Edwards , D-N.C., as he speaks on the front porch of Kimble's home, Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004, during a campaign stop in Waterloo, Iowa.
I'd say she's thinking, "It's the strangest thing! He keeps talking and talking, but hasn't said a thing."
"Why is that strange man sitting on a folding chair in my lawn, and for crying out loud, why am I seated on my front steps?"
"Does he really think anyone's goint to believe we sit out on our FRONT porches...in AUGUST?!"
HLL:
My twin (Stewart's Mom) will be there. Heck, I might even go!
Anyway, if you want to follow in his gallery one day I'll tell you how to recognize her. She lurks here occasionally, so she knows who you are.
If you go let me know. I would be glad to host you.
KERRY OFFERS RELATIONSHIP ADVICE FOR MEN Mon Aug 16 2004 20:01:49 ET
In the new GQ, the Democratic presidential nominee offers relationship advice for men:
On what to seek in a woman: "Look for what gets your heart. Someone who excites you, turns you on. ... It's a woman who loves being a woman. Who wears her womanhood. Who knows how to flirt and have fun. Smart. Confident. ... And obviously sexy and saucy and challenging."
The WASH POST is set to preview GQ's: "A Beer With John Kerry."
Which hot actresses float his boat:
"I think Charlize Theron is pretty extraordinary," he gushes. He's also fond of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Marilyn Monroe.
By the way, Johnny, Marilyn is a has-been.
We will be rooting for Stewart!
Johnny may be sleeping on the couch again tonight.:)
Actually, I left off the best part (I'm a klutz!).
After Stewart said of course he remembered him,
Papa Bush said, "Well, I was only VICE President then".
Just precious!
There used to be a big Encore mobile home park for retired people in Punta Gorda, and another large mobile home park on the other side of the street. Now, all you can see is a large garbage heap on both sides of the street. I was there Friday night trying to get to a relative's house a mile down Burnt Store Road, but the road was blocked by fallen trees and power poles that snapped in half.
As I turned the Jeep around, my headlights lit up the most devastating site I have ever seen... hundreds of mobile homes reduced to small pieces of trash. There were no emergency vehicles there yet and perhaps we were the first to stumble on this site hours after the eye of Charley had passed over that location.
My friend and I commented to each other how everyone must have gotten out since there was no sign of life anywhere. As we walked down the main entrance driveway, we realized how wrong we were. There were bodies under all that rubble and bodies in crushed cars. The silence was broken when we heard a faint voice off in the distance calling for help, but there was nothing we could do as there was no way to get through the rubble.
It doesn't matter what FEMA or the media may report about the two mobile home parks that were completely destroyed on that road. The truth is, there are hundreds of dead there and it will be weeks before they will be able to recover all the bodies.
We talked to an elderly survivor that night who was walking around the street in a daze looking for her cat. I couldn't help but think how she was somebody's mother She refused to let us help her or take her to a shelter. She told us that most of the year-round residents never left because they felt there was no danger. Many of them went to the clubhouse to ride out the storm. She said the clubhouse was the first to go as it collapsed on all the people inside. We walked up the road towards an approaching car to let them know the road was blocked, but when we returned to the Jeep, she was nowhere to be seen.
I can't find the words right now to describe what I saw Friday night. My own neighborhood on the Peace River is also demolished and I am one of only 3 who still has a home. As soon as we can finish getting all the LP gas tanks and lines shut off today, I'll rest much easier as we already had one explosion.
So, to all RMN readers, keep your prayers headed toward all those less fortunate than I. Please send your love and compassion to the survivors. There is no electric, water, or phone service... and there won't be in our rural area for many days or weeks. Most have no place to live and are sleeping in cars. Even though my roof leaks, it's a welcome place for my neighbors each night. I had 100 gallons of water stored up and 120 gallons of diesel to run my generator. It's the first time I ever though of my place as a sanctuary, but that's the name my neighbors have given it now.
It's amazing how life can change in the blink of an eye... even the eye of a hurricane.
On the radio this morning, it was reported that there were close to 400 fatalities on the outer banks alone.
Sounds like Effin was reading straight from one of the newspaper puffpieces on Teresa - we love her, she's saucy and sexy! Then, of course, he had to risk drawing her wrath by admitting he finds Charlize attractive. But really, "A beer with John Kerry"? Part of his "regular guy" campaign, no doubt. Hey, gimme one of them Miller Lites, y'all. Yeah, that Charlize Theron shore is purty.
Oh wait, he's not quite that much of a regular guy:
Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry likes to style himself as the candidate of working folks, while scissoring President Bush as the protector of the rich. "We have to bring back an America that values work and honors working people, day in and day out," Kerry urged in a recent stump speech.
But when every campaign stop is a photo op, even a man of the people needs a high-quality haircut. I hear that when Kerry was in Portland, Ore., last weekend preparing to windsurf on the Columbia River Gorge, he flew his Washington-based hairstylist, Isabelle Goetz, across the country to give him a camera-ready trim. link to story
Let's see, the cost of air travel from D.C. to Portland, plus her usual $75 per haircut fee, plus what she lost by not being at her shop that day, plus meals, etc. ... yup, just a reg'lar guy.
"I like Teresa," Hatch said. "She's nuts. She's crazy, but I like her." link
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