Benjamin Franklin was a prolific author. One of his most known literary accomplishments was his Poor Richard's Almanac which he published for twenty years. Along with predictions of weather and prosperous planting, the almanac included various tidbits of advice and knowledge in the form of proverbs. In this book, Wit and Wisdom from Poor Richard's Almanack (Dover Publications, Inc, 1999), I found a a topical list of proverbs. Noted also is that Benjamin Franklin, while the author of many of these proverbs, did not claim credit for all the proverbs specifying that not all were original. Below is a list of proverbs quoted directly from this text that I thought may be applicable for use within an elementary classroom. Spelling and punctuation was kept as presented in the text (another great discussion point for the classroom!)
- It is better to take many injuries, than to give one.
- Take this remark from Richard poor and lame, Whate'er's begun in anger ends in shame.
- Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.
- The sleeping Fox catches no poultry.
- God helps them that help themselves.
- Diligence is the mother of good luck.
- Eat to live; live not to eat.
- No better relation than a prudent and faithful friend.
- Be slow in chusing a Friend, slower in changing.
- A Brother may not be a Friend, but a Friend will always be a Brother.
- A true Friend is the best Possession.
- E're you remark another's Sin, Bid your own Conscience look within.
- If your Riches are yours, why don't you take them with you to t'other World?
- Who pleasure gives, Shall joy receive.
- Love, and be loved.
- Half the Truth is often a great Lie.
- A penny saved is two pence clear. A pin a-day is a groat a-year. Save and have.
- A Slip of the Foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the Tongue you may never get over.
- Haste make waste.
- 'Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.
- He that cannot obey, cannot command.
- Observe all men; thyself most.
- Search others for their virtues, thy self for thy vices.
- Hide not your Talents, they for Use were made: What's a Sun-Dial in the Shade?
- Being ignorant is not so much a Shame, as being unwilling to learn.
- Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
- Tart Words make no Friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a Gallon of Vinegar.
- When you speak to a man, look on his eyes; when he speaks to thee, look on his mouth.
- We must give Advice, but we cannot give Conduct.
- The rotten apple spoils his companion.
- One To-day is worth two To-morrows.
- Lost Time is never found again.
- You may delay, but Time will not.
- Well done is better than well said.
- A good Example is the best Sermon.
- None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.