Ben often got it right

One of the authors we cover in my American literature class is Ben Franklin. He is famous for his autobiography and the "Poor Richard" sayings found scattered in his almanacs. I thought you might like to see some of these. Wisdom never goes out of style.

• Let thy discontents be thy secrets; if the world knows them `t will despise thee and increase them.
• No nation was ever ruined by trade.
• Drive thy Business, or it will drive thee.
• He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.
• Setting too good an example is a kind of slander seldom forgiven.
• Experience keeps a dear school, yet fools will learn in no other.
• Avarice and happiness never saw each other, how then should they become acquainted.
• Where there's Marriage without Love, there will be Love without Marriage.
• Write with the learned, pronounce with the vulgar.
• Necessity never made a good bargain.
• Let thy Child's first Lesson be Obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.
• Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
• If you'd have it done, Go: if not, Send.
• Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that's the stuff life is made of.
• If your Riches are yours, why don't you take them with you to t'other World?
• A good conscience is a continual Christmas.
• There is no little enemy.
• God heals, and the doctor takes the fee.
• There will be sleeping enough in the grave.
• Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
• Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed.
• If you'd know the value of money, go and borrow some.
• When befriended, remember it. When you befriend, forget it.
• Well done is better than Well said.