A Benjamin Franklin ReaderA selection of Benjamin Franklin’s writings, with an introduction and commentary by renowned author Walter Isaacson. Selected and annotated by the author of the acclaimed Benjamin Franklin: An American Life, this collection of Franklin’s writings shows why he was the bestselling author of his day and remains America’s favorite founder and wit. Includes an introductory essay exploring Franklin’s life and impact as a writer, and each piece is accompanied by a preface and notes that provide background, context, and analysis. |
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Page 19
... taken flight, and greatly we have mist her. In another place, Some little time before she yielded up her breath, she said, I never shall hear one sermon more on earth. She kissed her husband some little time before she expired, then ...
... taken flight, and greatly we have mist her. In another place, Some little time before she yielded up her breath, she said, I never shall hear one sermon more on earth. She kissed her husband some little time before she expired, then ...
Page 22
... taken for a new doctrine by some of your readers; butlet them consider, that a little religion, and a little honesty, goes a great way in courts. 'Tis not inconsistent with charity to distrust a religious man in power, though he may be ...
... taken for a new doctrine by some of your readers; butlet them consider, that a little religion, and a little honesty, goes a great way in courts. 'Tis not inconsistent with charity to distrust a religious man in power, though he may be ...
Page 34
... taken in: so in this case it ought to be considered, that a is naturally a covetous being, feeling an uneasiness in the want of B's horse, which produces an inclination for stealing him, stronger than his fear of punishment for so doing ...
... taken in: so in this case it ought to be considered, that a is naturally a covetous being, feeling an uneasiness in the want of B's horse, which produces an inclination for stealing him, stronger than his fear of punishment for so doing ...
Page 35
... taken in the order of the moral than in the natural system? It is as if an ingenious artificer, having framed a curious machine or clock, and put its many intricate wheels and powers in such a dependence on one another, that the whole ...
... taken in the order of the moral than in the natural system? It is as if an ingenious artificer, having framed a curious machine or clock, and put its many intricate wheels and powers in such a dependence on one another, that the whole ...
Page 51
... taken notice of in the article concerning governor belcher, [after which his excellency, with the gentlemen trading to New England, died elegantly at Pontacks]. The word died should doubtless have been dined, Pontacks being a noted ...
... taken notice of in the article concerning governor belcher, [after which his excellency, with the gentlemen trading to New England, died elegantly at Pontacks]. The word died should doubtless have been dined, Pontacks being a noted ...
Contents
1 | |
7 | |
43 | |
Poor Richard and Friends | 91 |
The Public Citizen | 131 |
Lobbyist in London | 185 |
American Rebel | 257 |
Ambassador in Paris | 267 |
Constitutional Sage | 355 |
The Autobiography | 395 |
About the Author | 553 |
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Common terms and phrases
able acquainted advantage affairs America appeared Assembly become believe body called carried colonies common considered continued dear desire England equal father favor Franklin friends gave give given governor hands happy honor hope interest keep kind labor lately learned leave letter live London Lord manner master means meet mentioned mind natural necessary never observed occasion opinion perhaps persons Philadelphia piece pleased pleasure poor practice present printed proposed Quakers reason received remain respect Richard says seems sent shillings sometimes soon suppose taken things thought tion took turn virtue whole wife wish writing wrote young
Popular passages
Page 180 - If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be, as Poor Richard says, the greatest prodigality; since, as he elsewhere tells us, Lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough, always proves little enough.
Page 181 - Methinks I hear some of you say, Must a Man afford himself no Leisure? I will tell thee, my Friend, what Poor Richard says, Employ thy Time well ifthou meanest to gain Leisure; and, since thou art not sure of a Minute, throw not away an Hour.
Page 184 - Pride breakfasted with Plenty, dined with Poverty, and supped with Infamy. And after all, of what Use is this Pride of Appearance, for which so much is risked, so much is suffered? It cannot promote Health, or ease Pain; it makes no Increase of Merit in the Person, it creates Envy, it hastens Misfortune.
Page 182 - And again, Three removes are as bad as a fire ; and again, Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee ; and again, If you would have your business done, go ; if not, send. And again, — He that by the plough would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive.
Page 146 - As to their studies, it would be well if they could be taught every thing that is useful, and everything that is ornamental; but art is long, and their time is short. It is therefore proposed that they learn those things that are likely to be most useful and most ornamental, regard being had to the several professions for which they are intended.
Page 182 - Business; but to these we must add Frugality, if we would make our Industry more certainly successful. A Man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his Nose all his Life to the Grindstone, and die not worth a Groat at last. A fat Kitchen makes a lean Will, as Poor Richard says; and Many Estates are spent in the Getting, Since Women for Tea forsook Spinning and Knitting, And Men for Punch forsook Hewing and Splitting.
Page 240 - To get over this, my way is to divide half a sheet of paper by a line into two columns; writing over the one pro, and over the other con. Then during three or four days consideration. I put down under the different heads short hints of the different motives, that at different times occur to me, for or against the measure. When I have thus got them all together in one view, I...
Page 179 - ... as Poor Richard says" They joined in desiring him to speak his mind, and gathering round him, he proceeded as follows: "Friends, says he, and neighbors, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly, and from these taxes the...