Poor Richard’s Alamanck was an annual publication by Benjamin Franklin from the mid-1700’s. An enduring legacy of the almanac is a large number of sayings and maxims, many still used today.
I was able to borrow a compilation of these sayings from the library and found it quite a fun read. Some sayings have not aged well, but many contain timeless life advice. I’ve included a few of my favourites below.
After crosses and losses, men grow humbler and wiser
How many observe Christ’s birth-day; How few his precepts!
O! ’tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.
The poor have little, beggars none;
the rich too much – enough not one
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead
He does not possess wealth, it possess him
Good heals and the doctor takes the fee
Words may show a mans wit, but actions his meaning
A wise man will desire no more than what he may get justly, use soberly, distribute cheerfully and leave contentedly