Quoting Franklin

Today's topic is Poor Richard's Almanac

What is an almanac? It is simply a guide on how to farm well. Mostly it is instructions on when to plant and harvest based on seasonal weather predictions and celestial cycles. It also may contain other useful or interesting information. Poor Richard's Almanac was authored and published by Benjamin Franklin for 25 years. Poor Richard was a pseudonem taken from his brother James's alminac titled "Poor Robin's Alminac" and Richard Saunders, English editor of Apollo Angilcanus.

One reason Franklin's alminac was so popular was the sayings that Franklin included in the empty spaces on the calendar pages. Many of these sayings are still used today and all of them contain either wit, wisdom or charm that piques interest for more.

The majority of colonialists of Franklin's time were farmers and there was much to be gained by making accurate predictions on weather and other important dates to plant or harvest. Franklin stated himself in the publication of his 20th year that the popular sentiment was that his alminac predictions were accurate. Alminacs combine the useful and the entertaining together in one publication. Interestingly, alminacs of his day printed Christian teachings alongside occult teachings (and astrology). Because alminacs were a sort of melting pot of that which is useful, religeous, mystical, and ethical and even literary, it fits into several of genres. But the main impact Poor Richards has had overall has been to instill Franklin's brand of wit into our culture that has survived to this day. Here are some examples:

God heals, and the Doctor takes the Fees.

Don't throw stones at your neighbours, if your own windows are glass.

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

A countryman between 2 Lawyers, is like a fish between two cats.

Fish & Visitors stink in 3 days.

Well done is better than well said.

He's a Fool that makes his Doctor his Heir.

If you would reap Praise you must sow the Seeds, Gentle Words and useful Deeds.

Eat to live, and not live to eat.

He that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.

The rotten Apple spoils his Companion.

He's a Fool that cannot conceal his Wisdom.

Creditors have better memories than debtors.

If thou hast wit & learning, add to it Wisdom and Modesty.

Haste makes Waste.


I can imagine that this kind of thinking helped young farmers keep focus on good goals, hard work and to stay away from shysters, thus increasing freedom in America.