Poor Richard's Almanack
Literature and general reading material was at best scarce in Colonial America, and thus greatly prized. One favorite form of literature were almanacs, yearly publications that provided seasonal weather forecasts, farming tips, planting dates, astronomical (astronomy) information including sunrise/sunset and moon calendars for the year. One popular and famous almanac of Colonial America was Poor Richard’s Almanack, published by Benjamin Franklin from 1732-1757 and selling around 10,000 issues a year. Poor Richard’s Almanack was a combination of traditional almanac content and a collection of proverbial witticisms, and intellectual articles. Benjamin Franklin wrote to his readers with the purpose of entertaining, spurring intellect and thought, as well as providing a source of practical information. One defining aspect of Poor Richard’s Almanack were the hundreds of proverbial sayings that Franklin included in each issue. Although, as Franklin himself admitted, many of these sayings were not his original creations, he rewrote and reworked many of them to take on new humor and meaning in Colonial America.
What’s given shines,
What’s receiv’d is rusty. Well done is better than well said. Little Strokes Fell great Oaks. Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine languages. So ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on. Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. Lost time is never found again. Haste makes waste. |
Tis easy to see, hard to foresee.
Now I’ve a sheep and a cow, every body bids me good morrow. The rotten Apple spoils his Companion. Don’t throw stones at your neighbours, if your own windows are glass. God heals, and the Doctor takes the Fees. Jack Little sow’d little, & little he’ll reap. Teach your child to hold his tongue, he’l learn fast enough to speak. |
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
No man e’er was glorious, who was not laborious. Take this remark from Richard poor and lame, Whate’er’s begun in anger ends in shame. Sal laughs at every thing you say. Why? Because she has fine Teeth. |