“The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?”
We have
gone back to ancient History for Models of Government, and examin'd the
different Forms of those Republics, which, having been orig[i]nally
form'd with the Seeds of their own Dissolution, now no longer exist; and
we have view'd modern States all round Europe, but find none of their
Constitutions suitable to our Circumstances.
In this Situation of this Assembly, groping, as it were, in the dark to
find Political Truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented
to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought
of humbly applying to the Father of Lights to illuminate our
Understandings? In the Beginning of the Contest with Britain, when we
were sensible of Danger, we had daily Prayers in this Room for the
Divine Protection. Our Prayers, Sir, were heard;--and they were
graciously answered. All of us, who were engag'd in the Struggle, must
have observed frequent Instances of a superintending Providence in our
Favour. To that kind Providence we owe this happy Opportunity of
Consulting in Peace on the Means of establishing our future national
Felicity. And have we now forgotten that powerful Friend? or do we
imagine we no longer need its assistance? I have lived, Sir, a long
time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this
Truth, _that_ GOD _governs in the Affairs of Men_. And if a Sparrow
cannot fall to the Ground without His Notice, is it probable that an
Empire can rise without His Aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the
Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labour in
vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe, that,
without his concurring Aid, we shall succeed in this political Building
no better than the Builders of Babel; we shall be divided by our little,
partial, local Interests, our Projects will be confounded, and we
ourselves shall become a Reproach and a Bye-word down to future Ages.
And, what is worse, Mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate
Instance, despair of establishing Government by human Wisdom, and leave
it to Chance, War, and Conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move,
That henceforth Prayers, imploring the Assistance of Heaven and its
Blessing on our Deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning
before we proceed to Business; and that one or more of the Clergy of
this city be requested to officiate in that Service.[M]
[M] "The convention, except three or four persons, thought
prayers unnecessary!
“He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.”
_A little Neglect may breed great Mischief:_ adding, _for want of a
Nail the Shoe was lost; for want of a Shoe the Horse was lost; and for
want of a Horse the Rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the
Enemy; all for the want of Care about a Horse-shoe Nail_.
So much for Industry, my Friends, and Attention to one's own Business;
but to these we must add _Frugality_.
_What maintains one Vice, would bring up two Children_. You may think
perhaps, that a _little_ Tea, or a _little_ Punch now and then, Diet a
_little_ more costly, Clothes a _little_ finer, and a _little_
Entertainment now and then, can be no _great_ Matter; but remember
what _Poor Richard_ says, _Many a Little makes a Mickle._
_Beware of little expenses; A small Leak will sink a great Ship_; and
again, _Who Dainties love, shall Beggars prove_; and moreover, _Fools
make Feasts, and wise Men eat them._
Buy what thou hast no Need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy
Necessaries.
If you would know the Value of Money, go and try to borrow some; for,
he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.
The second Vice is Lying, the first is running in Debt.
_Lying rides upon Debt's Back_.
Poverty often deprives a Man of all Spirit and Virtue: '_Tis hard for
an empty Bag to stand upright_.
And now to conclude, _Experience keeps a dear School, but Fools will
learn in no other, and scarce in that_; for it is true, _we may give
Advice, but we cannot give Conduct_, as _Poor Richard_ says: However,
remember this, _They that won't be counseled, can't be helped_, as
_Poor Richard_ says: and farther, That _if you will not hear Reason,
she'll surely rap your Knuckles_.
THE WHISTLE
To Madame Brillon
Passy, November 10, 1779.
I am charmed with your description of Paradise, and with your plan of
living there; and I approve much of your conclusion, that, in the
meantime, we should draw all the good we can from this world. In my
opinion, we might all draw more good from it than we do, and suffer
less evil, if we would take care not to give too much for whistles.
“The Difficulty lies, in finding out an exact Measure; but eat for Necessity, not Pleasure, for Lust knows not where Necessity ends.”
Eat and drink such an exact quantity as the constitution of thy body
allows of, in reference to the services of the mind.
They that study much ought not to eat so much as those that work hard,
their digestion being not so good.
The exact quantity and quality being found out, is to be kept to
constantly.
Excess in all other things whatever, as well as in meat and drink, is
also to be avoided.
Youth, age, and the sick require a different quantity.
And so do those of contrary complexions; for that which is too much for
a phlegmatic man is not sufficient for a choleric.
The measure of food ought to be (as much as possibly may be) exactly
proportionable to the quality and condition of the stomach, because the
stomach digests it.
That quantity that is sufficient, the stomach can perfectly concoct and
digest, and it sufficeth the due nourishment of the body.
A greater quantity of some things may be eaten than of others, some
being of lighter digestion than others.
The difficulty lies in finding out an exact measure; but eat for
necessity, not pleasure; for lust knows not where necessity ends.
Wouldst thou enjoy a long life, a healthy body, and a vigorous mind, and
be acquainted also with the wonderful works of God, labour in the first
place to bring thy appetite to reason.
* * * * *
THE EPHEMERA; AN EMBLEM OF HUMAN LIFE.
TO MADAME BRILLON, OF PASSY.
Written in 1778.
You may remember, my dear friend, that when we lately spent that happy
day in the delightful garden and sweet society of the Moulin Joly, I
stopped a little in one of our walks, and stayed some time behind the
company. We had been shown numberless skeletons of a kind of little fly,
called an ephemera, whose successive generations, we were told, were
bred and expired within the day. I happened to see a living company of
them on a leaf, who appeared to be engaged in conversation. You know I
understand all the inferior animal tongues. My too great application to
the study of them is the best excuse I can give for the little progress
I have made in your charming language.
“If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed”
Being thus continually employ'd in serving both Parties, Printers
naturally acquire a vast Unconcernedness as to the right or wrong
Opinions contain'd in what they print; regarding it only as the Matter
of their daily labour: They print things full of Spleen and Animosity,
with the utmost Calmness and Indifference, and without the least
Ill-will to the Persons reflected on; who nevertheless unjustly think
the Printer as much their Enemy as the Author, and join both together in
their Resentment.
7. That it is unreasonable to imagine Printers approve of every thing
they print, and to censure them on any particular thing accordingly;
since in the way of their Business they print such great variety of
things opposite and contradictory. It is likewise as unreasonable what
some assert, "That Printers ought not to print any Thing but what they
approve;" since if all of that Business should make such a Resolution,
and abide by it, an End would thereby be put to Free Writing, and the
World would afterwards have nothing to read but what happen'd to be the
Opinions of Printers.
8. That if all Printers were determin'd not to print any thing till they
were sure it would offend no body, there would be very little printed.
9. That if they sometimes print vicious or silly things not worth
reading, it may not be because they approve such things themselves, but
because the People are so viciously and corruptly educated that good
things are not encouraged. I have known a very numerous Impression of
Robin Hood's Songs go off in this Province at 2s. per Book, in less than
a Twelvemonth; when a small Quantity of David's Psalms (an excellent
Version) have lain upon my Hands above twice the Time.
10. That notwithstanding what might be urg'd in behalf of a Man's being
allow'd to do in the Way of his Business whatever he is paid for, yet
Printers do continually discourage the Printing of great Numbers of bad
things, and stifle them in the Birth. I my self have constantly refused
to print anything that might countenance Vice, or promote Immorality;
tho' by complying in such Cases with the corrupt Taste of the Majority I
might have got much Money. I have also always refus'd to print such
things as might do real Injury to any Person, how much soever I have
been solicited, and tempted with Offers of Great Pay; and how much
soever I have by refusing got the Ill-will of those who would have
employ'd me.
“One today is worth two tomorrows.”
_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_: Let us then up and be
doing, and doing to the Purpose; so by Diligence shall we do more with
less Perplexity. _Sloth makes all Things difficult, but Industry all
easy_, as _Poor Richard_ says; and _He that riseth late must trot all
Day, and shall scarce overtake his Business at Night; while Laziness
travels so slowly, that Poverty soon overtakes him_, as we read in
_Poor Richard_, who adds, _Drive thy Business, let not that drive
thee_; and _Early to Bed, and early to rise, makes a Man healthy,
wealthy, and wise._
_Industry need not wish, and he that lives upon Hope will die
fasting._
_There are no Gains without Pains._
_He that hath a Trade hath an Estate; and he that hath a Calling, hath
an Office of Profit and Honor_; but then the _Trade_ must be worked
at, and the _Calling_ well followed, or neither the _Estate_ nor the
_Office_ will enable us to pay our Taxes.
What though you have found no Treasure, nor has any rich Relation left
you a Legacy, _Diligence is the Mother of Good-luck_, as _Poor
Richard_ says, _and God gives all Things to Industry_.
_One To-day is worth two To-morrows_, and farther, _Have you somewhat
to do To-morrow, do it To-day_.
If you were a Servant, would you not be ashamed that a good Master
should catch you idle? Are you then your own Master, _be ashamed to
catch yourself idle_.
Stick to it steadily; and you will see great Effects, for _Constant
Dropping wears away Stones_, and by _Diligence and Patience the Mouse
ate in two the Cable_; and _Little Strokes fell great Oaks_.
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, if thou meanest to gain Leisure; and, since
thou art not sure of a Minute, throw not away an Hour_. Leisure, is
Time for doing something useful; this Leisure the diligent Man will
obtain, but the lazy Man never; so that, as _Poor Richard_ says, _A
Life of Leisure and a Life of Laziness are two things_.
_Keep thy Shop, and thy Shop will keep thee_; and again, _If you would
have your business done, go; if not, send.
“A small leak can sink a great ship”
Leisure, is
Time for doing something useful; this Leisure the diligent Man will
obtain, but the lazy Man never; so that, as _Poor Richard_ says, _A
Life of Leisure and a Life of Laziness are two things_.
_Keep thy Shop, and thy Shop will keep thee_; and again, _If you would
have your business done, go; if not, send._
If you would have a faithful Servant, and one that you like, serve
yourself.
_A little Neglect may breed great Mischief:_ adding, _for want of a
Nail the Shoe was lost; for want of a Shoe the Horse was lost; and for
want of a Horse the Rider was lost, being overtaken and slain by the
Enemy; all for the want of Care about a Horse-shoe Nail_.
So much for Industry, my Friends, and Attention to one's own Business;
but to these we must add _Frugality_.
_What maintains one Vice, would bring up two Children_. You may think
perhaps, that a _little_ Tea, or a _little_ Punch now and then, Diet a
_little_ more costly, Clothes a _little_ finer, and a _little_
Entertainment now and then, can be no _great_ Matter; but remember
what _Poor Richard_ says, _Many a Little makes a Mickle._
_Beware of little expenses; A small Leak will sink a great Ship_; and
again, _Who Dainties love, shall Beggars prove_; and moreover, _Fools
make Feasts, and wise Men eat them._
Buy what thou hast no Need of, and ere long thou shalt sell thy
Necessaries.
If you would know the Value of Money, go and try to borrow some; for,
he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.
The second Vice is Lying, the first is running in Debt.
_Lying rides upon Debt's Back_.
Poverty often deprives a Man of all Spirit and Virtue: '_Tis hard for
an empty Bag to stand upright_.
And now to conclude, _Experience keeps a dear School, but Fools will
learn in no other, and scarce in that_; for it is true, _we may give
Advice, but we cannot give Conduct_, as _Poor Richard_ says: However,
remember this, _They that won't be counseled, can't be helped_, as
_Poor Richard_ says: and farther, That _if you will not hear Reason,
she'll surely rap your Knuckles_.
THE WHISTLE
To Madame Brillon
Passy, November 10, 1779.
I am charmed with your description of Paradise, and with your plan of
living there; and I approve much of your conclusion, that, in the
meantime, we should draw all the good we can from this world.
“I conceive that the great part of the miseries of mankind are brought upon them by false estimates they have made of the value of things.”
If I knew a miser who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all
the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow
citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of
accumulating wealth, _Poor man_, said I, _you pay too much for your
whistle_.
When I met with a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable
improvement of the mind, or of his fortune, to mere corporeal
sensations, and ruining his health in their pursuit, _Mistaken man_,
said I, _you are providing pain for yourself, instead of pleasure; you
give too much for your whistle_.
If I see one fond of appearance, or fine clothes, fine houses, fine
furniture, fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he
contracts debts, and ends his career in a prison, _Alas_! say I, _he
has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle_.
When I see a beautiful, sweet-tempered girl married to an ill-natured
brute of a husband, _What a pity_, say I, _that she should pay so much
for a whistle_!
In short, I conceive that great part of the miseries of mankind are
brought upon them by the false estimates they have made of the value
of things, and by their _giving too much for their whistles_.
Yet I ought to have charity for these unhappy people, when I consider,
that, with all this wisdom of which I am boasting, there are certain
things in the world so tempting, for example, the apples of King John,
which happily are not to be bought; for if they were put to sale by
auction, I might very easily be led to ruin myself in the purchase,
and find that I had once more given too much for the _whistle_.
Adieu, my dear friend, and believe me ever yours very sincerely and
with unalterable affection,
B. Franklin.
A LETTER TO SAMUEL MATHER
Passy, May 12, 1784.
Revd Sir,
It is now more than 60 years since I left Boston, but I remember well
both your father and grandfather, having heard them both in the
pulpit, and seen them in their houses. The last time I saw your father
was in the beginning of 1724, when I visited him after my first trip
to Pennsylvania. He received me in his library, and on my taking leave
showed me a shorter way out of the house through a narrow passage,
which was crossed by a beam overhead.
“Nothing gives an author so much pleasure as to find his works respectfully quoted by other learned authors”
Or if mine be more
properly compar'd to an Epigram, as some of its few Lines are but barely
tolerable, I am very desirous of concluding with a bright Point. In such
an Enterprise I could spend the Remainder of Life with Pleasure; and I
firmly believe God would bless us with Success, if we undertook it with
a sincere Regard to his Honour, the Service of our gracious King, and
(which is the same thing) the Publick Good.
I thank you cordially for your generous Benefaction to the German
School. They go on pretty well, and will do better, when Mr. Smith,[52]
who has at present the principal Care of them, shall learn to mind
Party-writing and Party Politicks less, and his proper Business more;
which I hope time will bring about.
I thank you for your good Wishes and Prayers, and am, with the greatest
Esteem and Affection, Dear Sir
Your most obedient humble Servant
My best Respects to } B. FRANKLIN.
Mrs. Whitefield }
THE WAY TO WEALTH
Preface to _Poor Richard Improved_: 1758.[53]
COURTEOUS READER,
I have heard that nothing gives an Author so great Pleasure, as to find
his Works respectfully quoted by other learned Authors. This Pleasure I
have seldom enjoyed; for tho' I have been, if I may say it without
Vanity, an _eminent Author_ of Almanacks annually now a full Quarter of
a Century, my Brother Authors in the same Way, for what Reason I know
not, have ever been very sparing in their Applauses; and no other Author
has taken the least Notice of me, so that did not my Writings produce me
some solid _Pudding_, the great Deficiency of _Praise_ would have quite
discouraged me.
I concluded at length, that the People were the best Judges of my Merit;
for they buy my Works; and besides, in my Rambles, where I am not
personally known, I have frequently heard one or other of my Adages
repeated, with, _as Poor Richard says_, at the End on't; this gave me
some Satisfaction, as it showed not only that my Instructions were
regarded, but discovered likewise some Respect for my Authority; and I
own, that to encourage the Practice of remembering and repeating those
wise Sentences, I have sometimes _quoted myself_ with great Gravity.
“Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices”
The frequent mention he made
of me must have tired any one else; but my vanity was wonderfully
delighted with it, though I was conscious that not a tenth part of the
wisdom was my own which he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings
that I had made of the sense of all ages and nations. However, I
resolved to be the better for the echo of it; and, though I had at
first determined to buy stuff for a new coat, I went away resolved to
wear my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy
profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever, thine to serve thee,
RICHARD SAUNDERS.
[Footnote 208: Poor Richard's maxims in the Almanac.]
PROVERBS FROM POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC.
The noblest question in the world is, What good may I do in it?
The masterpiece of man is to live to the purpose.
The nearest way to come at glory is to do that for conscience which we
do for glory.
Do not do that which you would not have known.
Well done is better than well said.
Who has deceived thee so oft as thyself?
Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.
He that can have patience, can have what he will.
After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser.
In a discreet man's mouth a public thing is private.
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
No better relation than a prudent and faithful friend.
He that can compose himself is wiser than he that composes books.
He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.
None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or
acknowledge himself in error.
Read much, but not too many books.
None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.
Forewarned, forearmed.
To whom thy secret thou dost tell,
To him thy freedom thou dost sell.
Don't misinform your doctor or your lawyer.
He that pursues two hens at once, does not catch one and lets the
other go.
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
There are no gains without pains.
If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's
stone.
“I think vital religion has always suffered when orthodoxy is more regarded than virtue. The scriptures assure me that at the last day we shall not be examined on what we thought but what we did.”
I think opinions should be judged of by their influences and effects;
and, if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more
vicious, it may be concluded he holds none that are dangerous; which I
hope is the case with me.
I am sorry you should have any uneasiness on my account; and if it were
a thing possible for one to alter his opinions in order to please
another, I know none whom I ought more willingly to oblige in that
respect than yourselves. But, since it is no more in a man's power to
_think_ than to _look_ like another, methinks all that should be
expected from me is to keep my mind open to conviction, to hear
patiently and examine attentively, whatever is offered me for that end;
and, if after all I continue in the same errors, I believe your usual
charity will induce you to rather pity and excuse, than blame me. In the
mean time your care and concern for me is what I am very thankful for.
My mother grieves, that one of her sons is an Arian, another an
Arminian. What an Arminian or an Arian is, I cannot say that I very well
know. The truth is, I make such distinctions very little my study. I
think vital religion has always suffered, when orthodoxy is more
regarded than virtue; and the Scriptures assure me, that at the last day
we shall not be examined what we _thought_, but what we _did_; and our
recommendation will not be, that we said, _Lord! Lord!_ but that we did
good to our fellow creatures. See Matt. xxv.
As to the freemasons, I know no way of giving my mother a better account
of them than she seems to have at present, since it is not allowed that
women should be admitted into that secret society. She has, I must
confess, on that account some reason to be displeased with it; but for
any thing else, I must entreat her to suspend her judgment till she is
better informed, unless she will believe me, when I assure her that they
are in general a very harmless sort of people, and have no principles or
practices that are inconsistent with religion and good manners.
We have had great rains here lately, which, with the thawing of snow on
the mountains back of our country, have made vast floods in our rivers,
and, by carrying away bridges, boats, &c., made travelling almost
impracticable for a week past; so that our post has entirely missed
making one trip.
“I look upon death to be as necessary to our constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning.”
If you
find it difficult to dispose of your children in England, it looks
as if you had too many people. And yet you are afraid of emigration.
A subscription is lately set on foot here to encourage and assist
mothers in nursing their infants themselves at home; the practice of
sending them to the _Enfans Trouvés_ having risen here to a monstrous
excess, as by the annual bills it appears they amount to near one
third of the children born in Paris. This subscription is likely to
succeed, and may do a great deal of good, though it cannot answer all
the purposes of a foundling hospital.
Your eyes must continue very good, since you are able to write so
small a hand without spectacles. I cannot distinguish a letter even
of large print, but am happy in the invention of double spectacles,
which, serving for distant objects as well as near ones, make my
eyes as useful to me as ever they were. If all the other defects and
infirmities of old age could be as easily and cheaply remedied, it
would be worth while, my friend, to live a good deal longer. But I
look upon death to be as necessary to our constitutions as sleep. We
shall rise refreshed in the morning.--Adieu, and believe me ever,
Your's most affectionately,
B. FRANKLIN.
Letter II.
_Passy, May 19, 1785._
DEAR OLD FRIEND,
I received the very good letter you sent me by my grandson, together
with your resemblance, which is placed in my chamber and gives me
great pleasure: there is no trade, they say, without returns, and
therefore I am punctual in making those you have ordered. I intended
this should have been a long epistle, but I am interrupted, and can
only add, that I am ever,
Yours, most affectionately,
B. FRANKLIN.
My grandson presents his most affectionate respects.
Letter III.
_Passy, May 23, 1785._
DEAR OLD FRIEND,
I sent you a few lines the other day with the medallion, when I
should have written more, but was prevented by the coming in of a
_bavard_, who worried me till evening. I bore with him, and now you
are to bear with me, for I shall probably _bavarder_ in answering
your letter.
I am not acquainted with the saying of Alphonsus, which you allude to
as a sanctification of your rigidity in refusing to allow me the plea
of old age as an excuse for my want of exactitude in correspondence.
“Who had deceived thee so often as thyself?”
Mason Collection. Tryon holds that no "greater
Happiness" than Attic sobriety is "attainable upon Earth" (p. 1).
Divine Temperance is the "spring head of all Virtues" (p. 33). Inward
harmony "is both the Glory and the Happiness, the Joy and Solace of
created Beings, the celebrated Musick of the Spheres, the Eccho of
Heaven, the Business of Seraphims, and the Imployment of Eternity" (p.
500). From Xenophon he learned that "self-restraint" is "the very
corner-stone of virtue." The classic core of the _Memorabilia_ is the
love of the moderate contending with the love of the incontinent.
Franklin has impressed many as representing an American Socrates.
Emerson was certain that Socrates "had a Franklin-like wisdom"
(Centenary Ed., IV, 72). Franklin's fondness for Socratic centrality,
discipline, and knowledge of self is fragmentarily shown by the
aphorisms appropriated in _Poor Richard_. There are scores of the
quality of the following: "He that lives carnally won't live
eternally." "Who has deceived thee so oft as thyself?" "Caesar did not
merit the triumphal car more than he that conquers himself." "If
Passion drives, let Reason hold the Reins." "A man in a Passion rides
a mad Horse." "There are three Things extremely hard, Steel, a Diamond
and to know one's self." Consult T. H. Russell's _The Sayings of Poor
Richard, 1733-1758_.
[i-416] See S. Bloore, "Samuel Keimer. A Footnote to the Life of
Franklin," _Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography_, LIV,
255-87 (July, 1930), and "Samuel Keimer," in _Dictionary of American
Biography_, X, 288-9. In 1724 Samuel Keimer (probably with Franklin's
aid) reprinted Gordon and Trenchard's _The Independent Whig_. (See W.
J. Campbell's _A Short-Title Check List of all the Books, Pamphlets,
Broadsides, known to have been printed by Benjamin Franklin_.)
Franklin also was acquainted with their _Cato's Letters_, having
helped to set up parts from it while working on the _New England
Courant_. _The Independent Whig_ emphasizes humanitarian morality
rather than theological dogma, morality which "prompts us to do good
to all Men, and to all Men alike" (London, 1721, xlviii).
“There seem to be but three ways for a nation to acquire wealth. The first is by war, as the Romans did, in plundering their conquered neighbors. This is robbery. The second by commerce, which is generally cheating. The third by agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the ground, in a kind of continual miracle, wrought by the hand of God in his favor, as a reward for his innocent life and his virtuous industry.”
By cutting off our Trade you have thrown us _to the Earth_,
whence like _Antaeus_ we shall rise yearly with fresh Strength and
Vigour."[i-219] Upon learning of the colonists' "Resolutions of
Non-Importation" he wrote to "Cousin" Folger that they must promote
their own industries, especially those of the "Earth and their Sea, the
true Sources of Wealth and Plenty."[i-220] Learning that the colonists
had threatened to boycott English manufacturers by creating their own
basic industries, Franklin demurred in a letter to Cadwallader Evans:
"Agriculture is truly _productive of new wealth_; manufacturers only
change forms, and whatever value they give to the materials they work
upon, they in the mean time consume an equal value in provisions, &c. So
that riches are not _increased_ by manufacturing; the only advantage is,
that provisions in the shape of manufactures are more easily carried for
sale to foreign markets."[i-221] _Positions to be Examined, Concerning
National Wealth_[i-222] affords a succinct statement of Franklin's
agrarianism. "There seem to be but three ways for a nation to acquire
wealth. The first is by _war_, as the Romans did, in plundering their
conquered neighbours. This is _robbery_. The second by _commerce_, which
is generally _cheating_. The third by _agriculture_, the only _honest
way_, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the
ground, in a kind of continual miracle, wrought by the hand of God in
his favour, as a reward for his innocent life and his virtuous
industry."[i-223] Dupont de Nemours, as early as 1769, had written: "Who
does not know that the English have today their Benjamin Franklin, who
has adopted the principles and the doctrines of our French
economists?"[i-224] Before attempting to appraise the real indebtedness
of Franklin to the physiocrats, it is well to seek to learn how he came
in contact with their ideas, and especially why by the year 1767 he was
acutely susceptible to their doctrine. In the summer of 1767, in the
company of Sir John Pringle, Franklin went to Paris, not an unknown
figure to the French savants, who were acquainted with his scientific
papers already translated into French by D'Alibard. That he was feted by
the Newtons of the physiocrats, François Quesnay and the elder Mirabeau,
as "le Savant, le Geomètre, le Physicien, l'homme à qui la nature permet
de dévoiler ses secrets,"[i-225] we are assured, when to De Nemours
(July 28, 1768) he writes regretfully: "Be so good as to present my
sincere respect to that venerable apostle, Dr.
“Furnished as all Europe now is with Academies of Science, with nice instruments and the spirit of experiment, the progress of human knowledge will be rapid and discoveries made of which we have at present no conception. I begin to be almost sorry I was born so soon, since I cannot have the happiness of knowing what will be known a hundred years hence.”
I
hope it will be lasting, and that Mankind will at length, as they call
themselves reasonable Creatures, have Reason and Sense enough to settle
their Differences without cutting Throats; for, in my opinion, _there
never was a good War, or a bad Peace_. What vast additions to the
Conveniences and Comforts of Living might Mankind have acquired, if the
Money spent in Wars had been employed in Works of public utility! What
an extension of Agriculture, even to the Tops of our Mountains: what
Rivers rendered navigable, or joined by Canals: what Bridges, Aqueducts,
new Roads, and other public Works, Edifices, and Improvements, rendering
England a compleat Paradise, might have been obtained by spending those
Millions in doing good, which in the last War have been spent in doing
Mischief; in bringing Misery into thousands of Families, and destroying
the Lives of so many thousands of working people, who might have
performed the useful labour!
I am pleased with the late astronomical Discoveries made by our Society
[the Royal--Eds.]. Furnished as all Europe now is with Academies of
Science, with nice Instruments and the Spirit of Experiment, the
progress of human knowledge will be rapid, and discoveries made, of
which we have at present no Conception. I begin to be almost sorry I was
born so soon, since I cannot have the happiness of knowing what will be
known 100 years hence.
I wish continued success to the Labours of the Royal Society, and that
you may long adorn their Chair; being, with the highest esteem, dear
Sir, &c.
B. FRANKLIN.
P.S. Dr. Blagden will acquaint you with the experiment of a vast Globe
sent up into the Air, much talked of here, and which, if prosecuted, may
furnish means of new knowledge.
TO MRS. SARAH BACHE[119]
Passy, Jan. 26, 1784.
MY DEAR CHILD,
Your Care in sending me the Newspapers is very agreable to me. I
received by Capt. Barney those relating to the _Cincinnati_. My Opinion
of the Institution cannot be of much Importance; I only wonder that,
when the united Wisdom of our Nation had, in the Articles of
Confederation, manifested their Dislike of establishing Ranks of
Nobility, by Authority either of the Congress or of any particular
State, a Number of private Persons should think proper to distinguish
themselves and their Posterity, from their fellow Citizens, and form an
Order of _hereditary Knights_, in direct Opposition to the solemnly
declared Sense of their Country!
“He that can have Patience, can have what he will”
The frequent mention he made
of me must have tired any one else; but my vanity was wonderfully
delighted with it, though I was conscious that not a tenth part of the
wisdom was my own which he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings
that I had made of the sense of all ages and nations. However, I
resolved to be the better for the echo of it; and, though I had at
first determined to buy stuff for a new coat, I went away resolved to
wear my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy
profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever, thine to serve thee,
RICHARD SAUNDERS.
[Footnote 208: Poor Richard's maxims in the Almanac.]
PROVERBS FROM POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC.
The noblest question in the world is, What good may I do in it?
The masterpiece of man is to live to the purpose.
The nearest way to come at glory is to do that for conscience which we
do for glory.
Do not do that which you would not have known.
Well done is better than well said.
Who has deceived thee so oft as thyself?
Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.
He that can have patience, can have what he will.
After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser.
In a discreet man's mouth a public thing is private.
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
No better relation than a prudent and faithful friend.
He that can compose himself is wiser than he that composes books.
He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.
None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or
acknowledge himself in error.
Read much, but not too many books.
None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.
Forewarned, forearmed.
To whom thy secret thou dost tell,
To him thy freedom thou dost sell.
Don't misinform your doctor or your lawyer.
He that pursues two hens at once, does not catch one and lets the
other go.
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
There are no gains without pains.
If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's
stone.
Every little makes a mickle.
He that can travel well a-foot keeps a good horse.
“I hope... that mankind will at length, as they call themselves reasonable creatures, have reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats; for in my opinion there never was a good war, or a bad peace.”
Horses and bulls, as well as dogs, may thus be
divided against their own kind, and civil wars produced at
pleasure, till we are so weakened that neither liberty nor
safety is any longer to be found in the forest, and nothing
remains but abject submission to the will of a despot, who
may devour us as he pleases."
The council had sense enough to resolve--that the demand be rejected.
TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS
Passy, July 27, 1783.
DEAR SIR,
I received your very kind letter by Dr. Blagden,[118] and esteem myself
much honoured by your friendly Remembrance. I have been too much and too
closely engaged in public Affairs, since his being here, to enjoy all
the Benefit of his Conversation you were so good as to intend me. I hope
soon to have more Leisure, and to spend a part of it in those Studies,
that are much more agreable to me than political Operations.
I join with you most cordially in rejoicing at the return of Peace. I
hope it will be lasting, and that Mankind will at length, as they call
themselves reasonable Creatures, have Reason and Sense enough to settle
their Differences without cutting Throats; for, in my opinion, _there
never was a good War, or a bad Peace_. What vast additions to the
Conveniences and Comforts of Living might Mankind have acquired, if the
Money spent in Wars had been employed in Works of public utility! What
an extension of Agriculture, even to the Tops of our Mountains: what
Rivers rendered navigable, or joined by Canals: what Bridges, Aqueducts,
new Roads, and other public Works, Edifices, and Improvements, rendering
England a compleat Paradise, might have been obtained by spending those
Millions in doing good, which in the last War have been spent in doing
Mischief; in bringing Misery into thousands of Families, and destroying
the Lives of so many thousands of working people, who might have
performed the useful labour!
I am pleased with the late astronomical Discoveries made by our Society
[the Royal--Eds.]. Furnished as all Europe now is with Academies of
Science, with nice Instruments and the Spirit of Experiment, the
progress of human knowledge will be rapid, and discoveries made, of
which we have at present no Conception.
“He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged”
I therefore did not like the opposition of this new member, who was a
gentleman of fortune and education, with talents that were likely to
give him, in time, great influence in the House, which, indeed,
afterwards happened. I did not, however, aim at gaining his favour by
paying any servile respect to him, but, after some time, took this other
method. Having heard that he had in his library a certain very scarce
and curious book, I wrote a note to him, expressing my desire of
perusing that book, and requesting he would do me the favour of lending
it to me for a few days. He sent it immediately, and I return'd it in
about a week with another note, expressing strongly my sense of the
favour. When we next met in the House, he spoke to me (which he had
never done before), and with great civility; and he ever after
manifested a readiness to serve me on all occasions, so that we became
great friends, and our friendship continued to his death. This is
another instance of the truth of an old maxim I had learned, which says,
"He that has once done you a kindness will be more ready to do you
another, than he whom you yourself have obliged." And it shows how much
more profitable it is prudently to remove, than to resent, return, and
continue inimical proceedings.
In 1737, Colonel Spotswood, late governor of Virginia, and then
postmaster-general, being dissatisfied with the conduct of his deputy at
Philadelphia, respecting some negligence in rendering, and inexactitude
of his accounts, took from him the commission and offered it to me. I
accepted it readily, and found it of great advantage; for, tho' the
salary was small, it facilitated the correspondence that improv'd my
newspaper, increas'd the number demanded, as well as the advertisements
to be inserted, so that it came to afford me a considerable income. My
old competitor's newspaper declin'd proportionably, and I was satisfy'd
without retaliating his refusal, while postmaster, to permit my papers
being carried by the riders. Thus he suffer'd greatly from his neglect
in due accounting; and I mention it as a lesson to those young men who
may be employ'd in managing affairs for others, that they should always
render accounts, and make remittances, with great clearness and
punctuality.
“The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise”
Do not do that which you would not have known.
Well done is better than well said.
Who has deceived thee so oft as thyself?
Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.
He that can have patience, can have what he will.
After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser.
In a discreet man's mouth a public thing is private.
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
No better relation than a prudent and faithful friend.
He that can compose himself is wiser than he that composes books.
He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.
None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or
acknowledge himself in error.
Read much, but not too many books.
None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.
Forewarned, forearmed.
To whom thy secret thou dost tell,
To him thy freedom thou dost sell.
Don't misinform your doctor or your lawyer.
He that pursues two hens at once, does not catch one and lets the
other go.
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
There are no gains without pains.
If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's
stone.
Every little makes a mickle.
He that can travel well a-foot keeps a good horse.
He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things.
NOTES AND SUGGESTIONS
Though he did not consider himself a man of letters, Franklin was
throughout his long life a writer. His writing was incidental to his
business as a journalist and statesman. He also corresponded widely
with various classes of people. Fortunately many of these writings
have been preserved, and from these and the _Autobiography_ a number
of valuable lives have been written. The student will find pleasure in
referring to the Franklin volumes of the American Statesmen Series and
of the American Men of Letters Series. The three volume life by Mr.
John Bigelow and the one volume, _The Many-sided Franklin_, by Paul
Leicester Ford, will supply the years of Franklin's life not included
in his autobiography, the writing of which was several times
interrupted by public business of the greatest importance, and finally
cut short by the long illness that preceded his death.
“Those have a short Lent, who owe money to be paid at Easter.”
"What would you think of that prince, or of that government, who
should issue an edict forbidding you to dress like a gentleman or
gentlewoman, on pain of imprisonment or servitude? Would you not say
that you are free, have a right to dress as you please, and that such
an edict would be a breach of your privileges and such a government
tyrannical? And yet you are about to put yourself under such tyranny,
when you run in debt for such dress. Your creditor has authority, at
his pleasure, to deprive you of your liberty by confining you in jail
till you shall be able to pay him. When you have got your bargain,
you may, perhaps, think little of payment; but, as Poor Richard says,
Creditors have better memories than debtors; creditors are a
superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times. The day
comes round before you are aware, and the demand is made before you
are prepared to satisfy it; or, if you bear your debt in mind, the
term, which at first seemed so long, will, as it lessens, appear
extremely short. Time will seem to have added wings to his heels as
well as his shoulders. Those have a short Lent who owe money to be
paid at Easter. At present, perhaps, you may think yourselves in
thriving circumstances, and that you can bear a little extravagance
without injury; but
For age and want save while you may;
No morning sun lasts a whole day.
Gain may be temporary and uncertain, but ever, while you live, expense
is constant and certain; and, It is easier to build two chimneys than
to keep one in fuel, as Poor Richard says; so, Rather go to bed
supperless than rise in debt.
Get what you can, and what you get, hold,
'Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold.
And when you have got the philosopher's stone, be sure you will no
longer complain of bad times or the difficulty of paying taxes.
IV. "This doctrine, my friends, is reason and wisdom; but, after all,
do not depend too much upon your own industry and frugality and
prudence, though excellent things; for they may all be blasted,
without the blessing of Heaven; and, therefore, ask that blessing
humbly, and be not uncharitable to those that at present seem to want
it, but comfort and help them.
He that can have patience can have what he will.
The frequent mention he made
of me must have tired any one else; but my vanity was wonderfully
delighted with it, though I was conscious that not a tenth part of the
wisdom was my own which he ascribed to me, but rather the gleanings
that I had made of the sense of all ages and nations. However, I
resolved to be the better for the echo of it; and, though I had at
first determined to buy stuff for a new coat, I went away resolved to
wear my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy
profit will be as great as mine. I am, as ever, thine to serve thee,
RICHARD SAUNDERS.
[Footnote 208: Poor Richard's maxims in the Almanac.]
PROVERBS FROM POOR RICHARD'S ALMANAC.
The noblest question in the world is, What good may I do in it?
The masterpiece of man is to live to the purpose.
The nearest way to come at glory is to do that for conscience which we
do for glory.
Do not do that which you would not have known.
Well done is better than well said.
Who has deceived thee so oft as thyself?
Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.
He that can have patience, can have what he will.
After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser.
In a discreet man's mouth a public thing is private.
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
No better relation than a prudent and faithful friend.
He that can compose himself is wiser than he that composes books.
He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities.
None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or
acknowledge himself in error.
Read much, but not too many books.
None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.
Forewarned, forearmed.
To whom thy secret thou dost tell,
To him thy freedom thou dost sell.
Don't misinform your doctor or your lawyer.
He that pursues two hens at once, does not catch one and lets the
other go.
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.
There are no gains without pains.
If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's
stone.
Every little makes a mickle.
He that can travel well a-foot keeps a good horse.
