Benjamin Franklin is quite literally, a polymath. He was a writer, editor, politician, scientist, Founding Father of the US, drafter, signer of the Declaration of Independence. He is now the face of the $100 US bill, which shows his significance in US history, having quite literally founded the country. Poor Richard’s Almanack is curiously written in somewhat of a play on of the Bible itself in composition and flow. If that weren’t enough, Charlie Munger has also described Ben as his favorite hero too. Charlie Munger has probably read the same number of books as any 100 old people put together at minimum, comprising of thousands of different people. Consequently, there is some weight to this kind of selection of Ben being his favorite hero.

-Ben loved reading and thus writing. Born from humble beginnings. He wanted the persons daughter that he worked for after moving from his city due to ill temper from older brother after his publications for the newspaper was successful (so, poor envy). The parents of the daughter said he needed to make more money before marrying. He did, then years later, found out she was married after returning. He tried several businesses at the trade of printer, and failed many times, later the woman’s husband died and Franklin took her to wife. He really loved her after all

-the young couple lived poorly for a few years before Ben’s Poor Richard’s Almanack became successful and made money. It was full of common-sense sayings that contained a load of wit. This allowed him to enter public life.

-someone brought him the idea of electricity, which he concluded was the same as lightning. Laughed at, he used the famous kite test to prove this in the 1700s.

-became commissioner of the colonies to England, and shrewdly recruited France to help gain independence

-Franklin’s rule: to go straight forward in doing what appears to be right, leaving the consequences to Providence

Poor Richard’s Almanack

-a child thinks 20 shillings and 20 years can scarce ever be spent

-a countryman between two lawyers, is like a fish between two cats

-act uprightly, and despise calumny; dirt may stick to a mud wall, but not to polished marble

-a cypher and humility make the other figures and virtues of tenfold value

-a false friend and shadow attend only while the sun shines

-a father’s a treasure, a brother’s a comfort. A friend is both

-a flatterer never seems absurd; the flattered always takes his word

-after three days men grow weary of a wench, guest, and rainy weather

-after crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser

-a good example is the best sermon

-a good lawyer, a bad neighbor

-a good man is seldom uneasy, an ill one never easy

-a house without woman and firelight, is like a body without soul or sprite

-a life of leisure, and a life of laziness, are two things

-a long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough

-ambition often spends foolishly what avarice had wickedly collected

-anger and folly walk cheek by jole; repentance treads on both their heels

-anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one

-anger warms the invention, but overheats the oven

-an honest man will receive neither money nor praise; that is not his due

-an innocent plowman is more worthy than a vicious prince

-anoint a villain and he’ll stab you; stab him, and he’ll anoint you

-an old young man will be a young old man

-an once of wit that is bought, is worth a pound that is taught

-an undutiful daughter, will prove an unmanageable wife

-a pair of good ears will drain dry a hundred tongues

-a plowman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees

-approve not of him that commends all you say

-a quarrelsome man has no good neighbor

-a quiet conscience sleeps in thunder

-are you angry that others disappoint you? Remember you cannot depend upon yourself

-a soft tongue may strike hard

-as pride increases, fortune declines

-a temper to bear much, will have much to bear

-a wicked hero will turn his back to an innocent coward

-at 20 years of age the will reins; at 30 the wit, and at 40 the judgment

-bad gains are truly losses

-bargaining has neither friends nor relations

-be always ashamed to catch thyself idle

-be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors

-beauty and folly are old compaions

-being ignorant is not so much a shanem as being unwilling to learn

-Ben beats his pate, and fancys wit will come; but he may knock, there’s nobody at home

-be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing

-better is a little with content than much with contention

-beware of him that is slow to anger; he is angry for something, and will not be pleased for nothing

-beware of meat twice boiled, and an old foe reconciled

-beware of the young doctor and the old barber

-blame all and praise all are two block heads

-blessed is he that expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed

-ceremony is not civility; nor civility ceremony

-content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor

-courage would fight, but discretion won’t let him

-dally not with other folks women or money

-declaiming against pride, is not always a sign of humility

-deny self for self’s sake

-despair ruins some, presumption many

-diligence is the mother of good luck

-diligence overcomes difficulties, sloth makes them

-distrust and caution are the parents of security

-do good to thy friend to keep him, to thy enemy to gain him

-doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging one makes you but even with him; forgiving, it sets you above him

-do me the favor to deny me at once

-don’t judge of men’s wealth or piety, by their Sunday appearances

-don’t overload gratitude; if you do she’ll kick

-don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog

-don’t value a man for the quality he is of, but for the qualities he possesses

-dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of

-early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise

-employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure

-every man has assurance enough to boast of his honesty, few of their understanding

-fear god, and your enemies will fear you

-fear to do ill, and you need fear nought else

-fools multiply folly

-fools need advice most, but wise men only are the better for it

-for want of a nail the shoe is lost; for want of a shoe the horse is lost; for want of a horse the rider is lost

-friendship cannot live with ceremony, nor without civility

-friendship increases by visiting friends, but by visiting seldom

-generous minds are all of kin

-genius without education is like silver in the mine

-gifts much expected, are paid, not given

-glass, china and reputation are easily cracked, and never well mended

-good sense is a thing all need, few have, and none think they want

-great estates may venture more; little boats must keep near shore

-great merit is coy, as well as great pride

-great modesty often hides great merit

-great talkers, little diets

-half wits talk much but say little

-having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it is

-hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy

-he does not possess wealth, it possesses him

-he had changed his one eyed horse for a blind one

-he is ill clothed, who is bare of virtue

-he’s a fool that cannot conceal his wisdom

-he that best understands the world, least likes it

-he that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books

-he that can have patience can have what he will

-he that cannot hear other peoples passions, cannot govern his own

-he that cannot obey, cannot command

-he that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities

-he that falls in love with himself, will have no rivals

-he that goes far to marry, will either deceive or be deceived

-he that has a trade, has an office of profit and honour

-he that has not got a wife, is not yet a complete man

-he that is of the opinion that money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money

-he that is rich need not live sparingly, and he that can live sparingly, need not be rich

-he that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas

-he that pays for work before it’s done, has but a penny worth for two pence

-he that pursues two hares at once, does not catch one and lets the other go

-he that resolves to mend hereafter, resolves not to mend now

-he that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business by night

-he that’s content hath enough; he that complains has too much

-he that sells upon trust, loses many friends, and always wants money

-he that speaks ill of the mare, will buy her

-he that speaks much, is much mistaken

-he that takes a wife, takes care

-he that won’t be counseled, can’t be helped

-he that would catch fish, must venture his bait

-he that would live in peace and at ease, must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees

-he who multiples riches multiples cares

-honors changes manners

-honor thy father and mother; live so as to be an honor to them when they are dead

-hope of gain lessens pain

-how few there are who have courage enough to own their faults

-hunger is the best pickel

-hunger never saw bad bread

-idleness is the dead sea, that swallows all virtues

-if Jack’s in love, he’s no judge of Jill’s beauty

-if man could have half his wishes, he would double his troubles

-if passion drives, let reason hold the reins

-if pride leads the van, beggary brings up the rear

-if thou hast wit and learning, add to it wisdom and modesty

-if thou injurest conscience, it will have its revenge on thee

-if thou would’st live long, live well; for folly and wickedness shorten life

-if wind blows on you through a hole, make your will and take care of your soul

-if you’d be beloved, make yourself amiable

-if you desire many things, many things seem but a few

-if you’d have it done, go; if not, send

-if you’d lose a troublesome visitor, lend him money

-if you’d know the value of money, go and borrow some

-if you do what you would not, you must hear what you would not

-if you have no money in your pot, have some in your mouth

-if you have time don’t wait for time

-if you would be loved, love and be lovable

-if you would be revenged of your enemy, govern yourself

-if you would have guests merry with cheer, be so yourself, or so at least appear

-if you would keep your secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend

-if you would reap priase you must sow the seeds, gentle worlds and useful deeds

-ignorance leads men into a party, and shame keeps them from getting out again

-i have never seen the philosopher’s stone that turns lead into gold, but I have known the pursuit of it turn a man’s gold into lead

-ill company is like a dog who dirts those most, that he loves best

-ill customs and bad advice are seldom forgotten

-i’ll warrant ye, goes before rashness; who would of thought comes sneaking after

-industry pays debts, despair increases them

-in success be moderate

-interest which blinds some people, enlightens others

-in the affairs of this world men are saved, not by faith, but by the want of it

-is there anything men take more pains about than to render themselves unhappy?

-it is better to take many injuries, than to give one

-it is ill jesting with the joiner’s tools, worse with the doctor’s

-it is ill-manners to silence a fool, and cruelty to let him go on

-it is not leisure that is not used

-it is wise not to seek a secret, and honest not to reveal it

-it’s common for men to give pretended reasons instead of one real one

-it’s the easiest thing in the world for a man to deceive himself

-Jack Little sow’d little, and little he’ll reap

-keep flax from fire, youth from gaming

-keep thou from the opportunity, and God will keep thee from the sin

-keep thy shop, and thy sop will keep thee

-keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards

-keep your mouth wet, feet dry

-kings and bears often worry their keepers

-kings have long arms, but misfortune longer; let none think themselves out of her reach

-late children, early orphans

-laws like to cobwebs, catch small flies, great ones break through before your eyes

-laziness travels so slow,y that poverty soon overtakes him

-learn of the skillful, he that teaches himself, hath a fool for his master

-lend money to an enemy, and thou’l gain him, to a friend and thou’lt lose him

-let every new year find you a better man

-let thy child’s first lesson be obedience, and the second may be what thou wilt

-let thy discontents be thy secrets; if the world knows them twill despise thee and increase them

-let thy maid-servant be faithful, strong, and homely

-let thy vices die before thee

-liberality is not giving much, but giving wisely

-light gains, heavy purses

-light heel’d mothers make leaden heel’d daughters

-light purse, heavy heart

-little rogues easily become great ones

-little strokes fell great oaks

-look before, or you’ll find yourself behind

-lost time is never found again

-love, and be loved

-love, cough, and a smoke, can’t well be hid

-lver and lordship hate companions

-lovers, travellers, and poets will give money to be heard

-love well, whip well

-love your enemies, for they tell you your faults

-love your neighbor, yet don’t pull down your hedge

-lying rides upon debt’s back

-many a man’s own tongue gives evidence against his understanding

-many a man would have been worse, if his estate had been better

-many a meal is lost for want of meat

-many complain of their memory, few of their judgment

-many estates are spent in the getting

-many foxes grow grey, but few grow good

-many have quarreled about religion, that never practised it

-many medicines, few cures

-many princes sin with David, but few repent with him

-many would live by their wits, but break for want of stock

-marry above thy match, and thou’lt get a master

-marry your son when you will, but your daughter when you can

-Mary’s mouth costs her nothing, for she never opens it but at others expense

-meanness is the parent of insolence

-men and melons are hard to know

-men often mistake themselves, seldom forget themselves

-men take more pains to mask than mend

-money and good manners make the gentleman

-money and man a mutual friendship show; man makes false money, money makes man false

-most fools think they are only ignorant

-most of the learning in use, is of no great use

-most people return small favors, acknowledge middling ones, and repay great ones with ingratitude

-much virtue in herbs, little in men

-necessity has no law; I know some attorneys of the same

-necessity never made a good bargain

-never take a wife till thou hast a house (and a fire) to put her in

-neglect kills injuries, revenge increases them

-neglect mending a small fault, and twill soon be a great one

-neither praise nor dispraise, till seven Christmasses be over

-never intreat a servant to dwell with thee

-never praise your cyder, horse, or bedfellow

-never spare the parson’s wine, nor the baker’s pudding

-nice eaters seldom meet with a good dinner

-Nine men in ten are suicides

-No gains without pains

-no man ever was glorious who was not laborious

-none know the unfortunate, and the fortunate do not know themselves

-none preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing

-no resolution repenting hereafter, can be sincere

-nothing but money is sweeter than honey

-nothing drys sooner than a tear

-nothing humbler than ambition, when it is about to climb

-nothing more like a fool, than a drunken man

-nothing so popular as goodness

-no wood without bark

-observe all men, thyself most

-of learned fools I have seen ten times ten of unlearned wise men I have seen a hundred

-old boys have their playthings as well as young ones; the difference is only in the price

-old young and old long

-one good husband is worth two good wives; for the scarcer things are the more they’re valued

-one may be more cunning than another, but not more cunning than everybody else

-one mend-fault is worth two find-faults, but one find-fault is better than two make-faults

-pardoning the bad, is injuring the good

-patience in market, is worth pounds in a year

-plow deep, while sluggards sleep

-poverty, poetry, and new titles of honor, make men ridiculous

-poverty wants some things, luxury many things, avarice all things

-praise to the undeserving is severe satire

-presumption first blinds a man, then sets him a running

-pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, supped with infamy

-pride and the gout are seldom curled throughout

-pride dines upon vanity, sups on contempt

-pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy

-pride gets into the coach, and shame mounts behind

-proclaim not all thou knowest, all thou owest, all thou hast, nor all thou canst

-prodigality of time, produces povery of mind as well as of estate

-promises may get thee friends, but non-performance will turn them into enemies

-proud modern learning despises the ancient. School-men are now laughed at by school-boys

-Quarrels never could last long, if on one side only lay the wrong

-Rather go to bed supperless, than run in debt for a breakfast

-reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man

-read much, but not many books

-retirement does not always secure virtue; lot was upright in the city, wicked in the mountain

-rob not God, nor the poor, lest thou ruin thyself; the eagle snatched a coal from the altar, but it fired her nest

-saying and doing have quarreled and parted

-search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices

-sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power

-silence is not always a sign of wisdom, but babbling is ever a mark of folly

-singularity in the right, hath ruined many; happy those who are convinced of the general opinion

-sloth and silence are a fool’s virtues

-some are justly laughed at for keeping their money foolishly, others for spending it idly. He is the greatest fool that lays it out in a purchase of repentance

-some are weatherwise, some are otherwise

-some make conscience of wearing a hat in the church, who make none of robbing the altar

-sorrow is good for nothing bujt sin

-spare and have is better than spend and crave

-speak and speed; the close mouth catches no flies

-speak little, do much

-speak with contempt of none, from slave to king; the meanest bee hat, and will use, a sting

-strange, that he who lives by shifts, can seldom shift himself

-strive to be the greatest man in your country, and you may be disappointed. Strive to be the best, and you may succeed; he may well win the race that runs by himself

-success has ruined many a man

-sudden power is apt to be insolent, sudden liberty saucy; that behaves best which has grown gradually

-suspicion may be no fault, but showing it may be a great one

-take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water

-take courage, mortal; death can’t banish thee out of the universe

-take heed of the vinegar of sweet wine, and the anger of good-nature

-whatever begun in anger, ends in shame

-talking against religion is unchaining a tiger; the beast let loose may worry his deliverer

-tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar

-teach your child to hold his tongue; he’ll learn fast enough to speak

-tell a miser he’s rich, and a woman she’s old, you’ll get no money of one, nor kindess of the other

-tell me your faults, and mend your own

-the absent are never without fault, nor the present without excuse

-the ancients tell us what is best, but we must learn of the moderns what is fittest

-the bell calls others to church, but itself never minds the sermon

-the bird that sits, is easily shot

-the brave and the wise can both pity and excuse, when cowards and fools show no mercy

-the cunning man steals a horse, the wise man lets him alone

-the devil sweets poison with honey

-the discontented man finds no easy chair

-the doors of wisdom are never shut

-the end of passion is the beginning of repentance

-the excellency of hogs is fatness, of men virtue

-the eye of a master, will do more work than his hand

-the family of fools is ancient

-the favor of the great is no inheritance

-the generous mind least regards money, and yet most feels the want of it

-the golden age never was the present age

-the good pay master is lord of another man’s purse

-the good or ill hap of a good or ill life, is the good or ill choice of a good or ill wife

-the heart of the fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of the wise man is in his heart

-the honest man takes pains, and then enjoys pleasures; the knave takes pleasures, and then suffers pains

-the honey is sweet, but the bee has a sting

-the idle man is the devil’s hireling; whose livery is rags, whose diet and wages are famine and diseases

-the king’s cheese is half wasted in parings; but no matter, tis made of the people’s milk

-the learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearned, but still tis nonsense

-the most exquisite folly is made of wisdom spun too fine

-the noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?

-the old man has given all to his son; o fool! to undress thyself before thou art going to bed

-the painful preacher, like a candle bright, consumes himself in giving others light

-the poor have little, beggars none, the rich too much, enough not one

-the proof of gold is fire; the proof of woman, gold; the proof of man, a woman

-the proud hate pride – in others

-there are lazy minds as well as lazy bodies

-there are no fools so troublesome as those that have wit

-there are no ugly love,s nor handsome prisons

-there are three faithful friends: an old wife, an old dog, and ready money

-there are three things extremely hard: steel, diadmon, and to know one’s self

-there is neither honor nor gain got in dealing with a villian

-there is no little enemy

-there is no man so bad but he secretly respects the good

-there is much difference between imitating a good man, and counterfeiting him

-there’s many witty men whose brains can’t fill their bellies

-there’s none deceived but he that trusts

-there’s small revenge in words, but words may be greatly revenged

-they who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing

-the rotten apple spoils his companion

-the royal crown cures not the headache

-the same man cannot be both friend and flatterer

-the second vice is lying; the first is running in debt

-the sting of a reproach is the truth of it

-the things which hurt, instruct

-the tongue offends, and the ears get the cuffing

-the way to be safe, is never to be secure

-the wise man draws more advantage from his enemies, than the fool from his friends

-the worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise

-the wolf sheds his coat once a year, his disposition never

-think of three things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account

-thirst after desert, not reward

-tho modesty is a virtue, bashfulness is a vice

-those that have much business must have much pardon

-those who are feared, are hated

-those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose

-thou canst not joke an enemy into a friend; but thou mayst a friend into an enemy

-three good meals a day is bad living

-three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead

-three things are men most likely to be cheated in; a horse, a wig, and a wife

-Tim and his handsaw are good in their place, tho not fit for preaching or shaving a face

-Time enough always proves little enough

-time is an herb that cures all diseases

-Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine languages. So ignorant, that he bought a cow to ride on

-tis a laudable ambition, that aims at being better than his neighbors

-tis a shame that your family is an honor to you! You ought to be an honor to your family

-Tis a strange forest that has no rotten wood in it, and a strange kindred that all are good in it

-Tis better leave for an enemy at one’s death, than beg of a friend in one’s life

-Tis easier to build two chimneys, than maintaon one in fuel

-Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them

-Tis easy to see, hard to foresee

-Tis easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it

-Tis great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults, greater to tell him his

-Tis hard (but glorious) to be poor and honest

-Tis less discredit to abridge petty charges, than to stoop to petty gettings

-Tis not a holiday that’s not kept holy

-Tis a well spent penny that saves a groat

-To bear other people’s afflictions, every one has courage enough, and to spare

-To be intimate with a foolish friend, is like going to bed with a razor

-To be proud of knowledge, is to be blind with light; to be proud of virtue, is to poison yourself with the antidote

-today is yesterday’s pupil

-to err is human, to repent divine, to persist devilish

-to lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals

-tomorrow every fault is to be amended, but that tomorrow never comes

-Tom, vain’s your pains; they all will fail; never was good arrow made of a sow’s tail

-tongue double, brings trouble

-too much plenty makes mouth dainty

-to whom thy secret thou dost tell, to him thy freedom thou dost sell

-tricks and treachery are the practise of fools, that have not wit enough to be honest

-trouble springs from idleness; toil from ease

-trust thyself, and another shall not betray thee

-two dry sticks will burn a green one

-up, sluggard, and waste not life; in the grave will be sleeping enough

-vain glory flowereth, but beareth no fruit

-vanity backbites more than malice

-vice knows she’s ugly, so puts on her mask

-virtue and a trade, are a child’s best portion

-virtue and happiness are mother and daughter

-virtue may not always make a face handsome, but vice will certainly make it ugly

-visits should be short, like a winter’s day; lest you’re too troublesome hasten away

-visit your aunt, but not every day; and call at your brother’s, but not every night

-want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge

-wars bring scars

-we are not so sensible of the greatest health as of the least sickness

-wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it

-weighty questions ask for deliberate answers

-welcome, mischief, if thou comest alone

-well done is better than well said

-well done, is twice done

-we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct

-what’s given shines, what’s received is rusty

-what signifies knowing the names, if you know not the nature of things

-what signifies your patience, if you can’t find it when you want it

-what you would seem to be, be really

-when a friend eals with a friend, let the bargain be clear and well penned, that they may continue friends to the end

-when befriended, remeber it; when you befriend, forget it

-when knaves betray each other, one can scarce be blamed or the other pitied

-when knaves fall out, honest men get their goods’ when priests dispute, we come at the truth

-when out of favor, none know thee; when in, thou dost not know thyself

-when reason preaches, if you won’t hear her, she’ll box your ears

-when the well’s dry, we know the worth of water

-when the wine enters, out goes the truth

-when you’re good to others, you are best to yourself

-when you taste honey, remember gall

-where good laws are, much people flock thither

-where sense is wanting, everything is wanting

-where there’s no law, there’s no bread

-where there is hunger, law is not regarded; and where law is not regarded, there will be hunger

-where there’s marriage without love, there will be love without marriage

-without justice courage is weak

-who has deceived thee so oft as thyself?

-who is poewrful? He that governs his passions

-who is rich? He that is content

-who is rich? he that rejoices in his portion

-who is strong? He that can conquer his bad habits?

-who is wise? He that learns from every one

-who judges best of a man, his enemies or himself?

-who knows a fool, must know his brother; for one will recommend another

-wish a miser long life, and you wish him no good

-women and wine, game and deceit, make the wealth small and the wants great

-words may show a man’s wit, but actions his meaning

-would you live with ease, do what you ought, and not what you please

-why does the blind man’s wife paint herself?

-you can bear your own faults, and why not a fault in your wife

-you may be too cunning for one, but not for all

-you may delay, but time will not

-you may give a man an office, but you cannot give him discretion

-you may talk too much on the best subjects

-you may sometimes be much in the wrong, in owning your being in the right