Philadelphia, PA…Our Favorite Founding Father is Ben Franklin. He didn’t just help found our country during the 1776 era.   For two generations before he helped sell concepts of Freedom, Self-Determination & Inalienable rights. From 1733 to 1758 Poor Richards Almanac helped create the unique American identity in a homey, common sense, aspirational way. A few Bits of Wisdom from 1740…

1740
To hear other Peoples Afflictions, every one has Courage enough, and to spare.
An empty bag will not stand upright.
Happy that nation, fortunate that age, whose history is not diverting.
An open Foe may prove a curse; But a pretended friend is worse.
A wolf eats sheep but now and then, Ten Thousands are devour’d by men.
Man’s tongue is soft, and bone doth lack; Yet a stroke therewith may break a man’s back.
The poor have little, Beggars none; the Rich too much, enough not one.
Tricks and trechery are the Practice of Fools, that have not Wit enough to be honest.
There are lazy Minds as well as lazy Bodies.
Who says Jack is not generous? he is always fond of giving, and cares not for receiving.–What? Why; Advice.
Fear not Death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal.
Those who in quarrels interpose, Must often wipe a bloody nose.
Promises may get thee friends, but Nonperformance will turn them into enemies.
In other men we faults can spy, And blame the mote that dims their eye; Each little speck and blemish find; To our own stronger errors blind.
Observe all men; thy self most.
Thou hadst better eat salt with the Philosophers of Greece, than sugar with the Courtiers of Italy.
Seek Virtue, and, of that possest, To Providence, resign the rest.
Marry above thy match, and thou’lt get a Master.
Fear to do ill, and you need fear naught else.
He makes a Foe who makes a jest.
Avoid dishonest Gain: No price Can recompence the Pangs of Vice.
When befriended, remember it: When you befriend, forget it.
Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.
A Flatterer never seems absurd: The Flatter’d always take his Word.
Lend Money to an Enemy, and thou’lt gain him, to a Friend and thou’lt lose him.