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…

1741
Learn of the skilful: He that teaches himself, hath a fool for his master.
Best is the Tongue that feels the rein:– He that talks much, must talk in vain;
We from the wordy torrent fly: Who listens to the chattering Pye?
Anger and Folly walk cheek by jole; Repentance treads on both their Heels.
Be always asham’d to catch thy self idle.
Lying rides upon Debt’s back.
They who have nothing to be troubled at, will be troubled at nothing.
If evils come not, then our fears are vain: And if they do, Fear but augments the pain.
If you would keep your Secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend.
Up, Sluggard, and waste not life; in the grave will be sleeping enough.
There are no fools so troublesome as those that have wit.
Quarrels never could last long, If on one side only lay the wrong.
Let no Pleasure tempt thee, no Profit allure thee, no Ambition corrupt thee, no Example sway thee, no Persuasion move thee, to do any thing which thou knowest to be Evil; So shalt thou always jollily: for a good Conscience is a continual Christmas. Adieu.