There
are so many stalwarts in the history of the world. One such giant is
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of United States . In many
ways, he is the First American.
His magnum opus is 'Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin' is available as a free download
at https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20203 . The
book is famous for his 13 virtues which every individual should nurture/
follow.
Franklin is a multi-facet personality. He is an author, printer,
politician, political theorist, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman
and diplomat.
His innings as 'writer' are inscribed with golden letters in the annals of
American History. He gained his prominence with his magazine
called 'Poor Richard's Almanack' which was very popular in those times.
The annual versions of that publication were made from 1733 to 1758 and
they turned out as 'best sellers'.
The following are my choicest quotes from the Almanack.
- Hunger never saw bad bread.
-Great talkers, little doers.
-If you ride a horse, sit close and tight; If you ride a man, sit easy
and light.
-Better slip with foot than tongue.
-A good lawyer is a bad neighbor.
- Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power.
-Wish not so much to live long as to live well.
-Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.
-If you keep your secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend.
-He that sows thorns, should not go barefoot.
-Experience keeps a dear school, yet fools will learn in no other.
- He is a Fool that can not conceal his wisdom.
-Great spenders are bad lenders.
-It is an easiest thing in the world for a Man to deceive himself.
-A good Example is the best sermon.
- The wise man draws more advantage from his enemies than the fool from his
friends.
-Clean ;your Fingers before you point at any spots.
- We may give Advice but we can not give 'Conduct'.
- To serve the public faithfully and at the same time please it entirely is
impracticable.
-A brother may not be a friend, but a friend will always be a brother.
-The busy man has no idle visitors.
-For want for a nail the shoe is lost;
For want of a shoe, the horse is lost;
For want of a horse the Rider is lost !
Benjamin Franklin is like Mahatma Gandhi to Americans.
His autobiography is an inspiring piece of prose and one should not miss to
read it in his/her life time !