Poor Richard's Almanack

by Benjamin Franklin (Richard Saunders)

The plain Truth of the Matter is, I am excessive poor, and my Wife, good Woman, is, I tell her, excessive proud; she cannot bear, she says, to sit spinning in her Shift of Tow, while I do nothing but gaze at the Stars; and has threatned more than once to burn all my Books and Rattling-Traps (as she calls my Instruments) if I do not make some profitable Use of them for the good of my Family. The Printer has offer'd me some considerable share of the Profits, and I have thus begun to comply with my Dame's desire.

Never spare the Parson's wine, nor the Baker's pudding. Visits should be short, like a winters day, Lest you're too troublesom hasten away. A house without woman & Fire-light, is like a body without soul or sprite.

He's a Fool that makes his Doctor his Heir.

He's gone, and forgot nothing but to say Farewel -- ...

Hunger never saw bad bread.

A rich rogue, is like a fat hog, who never does good til as dead as a log.

The favour of the Great is no inheritance.

The poor have little, beggars none, the rich too much, enough not one.

He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas.

Distrust & caution are the parents of security.

Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterw...

He's the best physician that knows the worthlessness of the most medicines.

Nothing more like a Fool, than a drunken Man.

God works wonders now & then; Behold! a Lawyer, an honest Man!

Time eateth all things, could old Poets say; The Times are chang'd, our times drink all away. Never mind it, sh...

Better slip with foot than tongue.

Hot things, sharp things, sweet things, cold things All rot the teeth, and make them look like old things.

Blame-all and Praise-all are two blockheads.

Be temperate in wine, in eating, girls, & sloth; Or the Gout will seize you and plague you both.

Take this remark from Richard poor and lame, Whate'er's begun in anger ends in shame.

If you ride a Horse, sit close and tight, If you ride a Man, sit easy and light.

Where there's Marriage without Love, there will be Love without Marriage.

Laws like to Cobwebs catch small Flies, Great ones break thro' before your eyes.

As sore places meet most rubs, proud folks meet most affronts.

When 'tis fair be sure take your Great coat with you.

He does not possess Wealth, it possesses him.

A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one.

He that for sake of Drink neglects his Trade, And spends each Night in Taverns till 'tis late, And rises when the Sun is four hours high, And ne'er regards his starving Family; God in his Mercy may do much to save him. But, woe to the poor Wife, whose Lot it is to have him.

Approve not of him who commends all you say.

He that goes far to marry, will either deceive or be deceived.

Sloth and Silence are a Fool's Virtues.

Of learned Fools I have seen ten times ten, Of unlearned wise men I have seen a hundred.

Three may keep a Secret, if two of them are dead.

Poverty wants some things, Luxury many things, Avarice all things.

Deny Self for Self's sake.

If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the Philosophers-Stone.

Fish & Visitors stink in 3 days.

Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.

The rotten Apple spoils his Companion.

He that speaks much, is much mistaken.

Creditors have better memories than debtors.

God heals, and the Doctor takes the Fees.

He that would live in peace & at ease, Must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees.

A countryman between 2 Lawyers, is like a fish between two cats.

Love, Cough, & a Smoke, can't well be hid.

No better relation than a prudent & faithful Friend.

The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.

To whom thy secret thou dost tell, To him thy freedom thou dost sell.

He that pursues two Hares at once, does not catch one and lets t'other go.

Great talkers should be cropt, for they've no need of ears.