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 1744…

1744
He that drinks his Cyder alone, Let him catch his Horse alone.
Who is strong? He that can conquer his bad Habits.
Who is rich? He that rejoices in his Portion.
He that has not got a Wife, is not yet a compleat Man.
What you would seem to be, be really.
If you’d lose a troublesome Visitor, lend him Money.
Tart Words make no Friends: a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a Gallon of Vinegar.
Make haste slowly.
Hear Reason, or she’ll make you feel her.
Give me yesterday’s Bread, this Day’s Flesh, and last Year’s Cyder.
God heals, and the Doctor takes the Fees.
Sloth (like Rust) consumes faster than Labour wears: the used Key is always bright.
Keep thou from the Opportunity, and God will keep thee from the Sin.
Where there’s no Law, there’s no Bread.
As Pride increases, Fortune declines.
The same man cannot be both Friend and Flatterer.
He who multiplies Riches multiplies Cares.
Those who are fear’d, are hated.
The Things which hurt, instruct.
A soft Tongue may strike hard.
A true Friend is the best Possession.
Epitaph on a Scolding Wife by her Husband.
Here my poor Bridget’s Corps doth lie, she is at rest, and so am I.