Wit and wisdom.In December 1732, Benjamin Franklin published his first Poor Richard's Almanack Poor Richard's Almanack (sometimes Almanac) was a yearly almanack published by Benjamin Franklin, who adopted the pseudonym of "Poor Richard" or "Richard Saunders" for this purpose. The publication appeared continuously from 1732 to 1758. , a periodical periodical, a publication that is issued regularly. It is distinguished from the newspaper in format in that its pages are smaller and are usually bound, and it is published at weekly, monthly, quarterly, or other intervals, rather than daily. of practical--and often amusing--advice from a fictitious Based upon a fabrication or pretense. A fictitious name is an assumed name that differs from an individual's actual name. A fictitious action is a lawsuit brought not for the adjudication of an actual controversy between the parties but merely for the purpose of character named Richard Saunders Richard Saunders was one of many pseudonyms used by Benjamin Franklin (January 17, 1706 – April 17, 1790). Richard Saunders was used primarily for the publication of Poor Richard's Almanac. . Franklin thought of the almanac almanac, originally, a calendar with notations of astronomical and other data. Almanacs have been known in simple form almost since the invention of writing, for they served to record religious feasts, seasonal changes, and the like. , which he published for 25 years, "as a proper Vehicle for conveying Instruction among the common People." He borrowed many sayings from earlier writers, revising them to make them clearer, more complex, or more humorous. Following are excerpts from Franklin's almanacs Almanacs See also astronomy; calendar almanagist a person who compiles almanacs. ephemeris an astronomical almanac giving, as an aid to the astronomer and navigator, the locations of celestial bodies for each day of the year. . In the space provided, rewrite each saying in your own words. (Note: Franklin's style of capitalization and punctuation--quite different from how we write today--was common in the 18th century.) Words to Know: almanac: a publication, usually issued once a year, containing general information, including statistics, tables, and brief pieces of interest. periodical: a book, magazine, or other material that is published on a regular basis. EXAMPLE: The Good-will of the Governed will be starv'd, if not fed by the good Deeds of the Governors. If elected officials do not act in the best interests of the citizens they represent, they will lose popular support. 1. Great Beauty, great strength, & great Riches, are really & truly of no great Use; a right Heart exceeds all. -- 2. Haste makes Waste. -- 3. How few there are who have courage enough to own their Faults, or resolution enough to mend them! -- 4. If you'd be belov'd, make yourself amiable a·mi·a·ble adj. 1. Friendly and agreeable in disposition; good-natured and likable. 2. Cordial; sociable; congenial: an amiable gathering. . -- 5. If your head is wax, don't walk in the Sun. -- 6. A quiet Conscience sleeps in Thunder, but Rest and Guilt live far asunder a·sun·der adv. 1. Into separate parts or pieces: broken asunder. 2. Apart from each other either in position or in direction: The curtains had been drawn asunder. . -- 7. To-day is Yesterdays Pupil. -- 8. An ill Wound, but not an ill Name, may be healed. -- 9. The Doors of Wisdom are never shut -- 10. A long Life may not be good enough, but a good Life is long enough. -- Answer Key Answers will vary, along these general lines: 1. Being a good person matters more than being beautiful, powerful, and wealthy. 2. If you rush while performing a task, you are likely to make mistakes or cause an accident, 3. Not many people are brave enough to admit to their mistakes, or determined enough to correct them. 4. If you want others to like you, do things to make yourself likable lik·a·ble also like·a·ble adj. Pleasing; attractive. lik  a·ble·ness, like ,
5. Know your limitations. Excessive pride will get you into trouble. 6. Someone who is without fault (and therefore has a clear conscience) sleeps well, while one who has done wrong and regrets it will have restless nights. 7. Learn from past mistakes. 8. Damage to one's reputation is more difficult to repair than a physical injury. 9. It is never too late to learn. (Every experience presents a learning opportunity.) 10. How long one lives is not as important as the way one lives. |
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