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 Richard’s Almanac helped create the unique American identity in a homey, common sense, aspirational way. A few Bits of Wisdom from 1742…

1742
Strange! that a Man who has wit enough to write a Satyr; should have folly enough to publish it.
He that hath a Trade, hath an Estate.
Have you somewhat to do tomorrow; do it today.
Speak and speed: the close mouth catches no flies.
Late Children, early Orphans.
Ben beats his Pate, and fancys wit will come; But he may knock, there’s no body at home.
Ill Customs & bad Advice are seldom forgotten.
He that sows thorns, should not go barefoot.
When Knaves fall out, honest Men get their goods:
When Priests dispute, we come at the Truth.
Death takes no bribes.
One good Husband is worth two good Wives; for the scarcer things are the more they’re valued.
He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night.
He that speaks ill of the Mare, will buy her.
You will be careful, if you are wise;
How you touch Men’s Religion, or Credit, or Eyes.
They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing.
Against Diseases here, the strongest Fence, Is the defensive Virtue, Abstinence.
If thou dost ill, the joy fades, not the pains; If well, the pain doth fade, the joy remains.
To err is human, to repent divine, to persist devilish.
Industry pays Debts, Despair encreases them.
With the old Almanack and the old Year, Leave thy Vices. tho’ never so dear.
The Difficulty lies, in finding out an exact Measure; but eat for Necessity, not Pleasure, for Lust knows not where Necessity ends.
If thou art dull and heavy after Meat, it’s a sign thou hast exceeded the due Measure; for Meat and Drink ought to refresh the Body, and make it chearful, and not to dull and oppress it.