Do not do that which you would not have known. Well done is better than well said. It's the easiest thing in the world for a man to deceive himself. He that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books. He that can take rest, is greater than he that can take cities. None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or acknowledge himself in error. Read much, but not too many books. None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing. To whom thy secret thou dost tell, To him thy freedom thou dost sell. Don't misinform your doctor nor your lawyer. He that pursues two hares at once, does not catch one and lets t'other go. The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise. No gains without pains. If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone. Every little makes a mickle. He that can travel well a-foot, keeps a good horse. He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things. GLOSSARY. Philosopher's stone; mickle; clown. STUDY. Take these proverbs as texts and comment on their meanings. Select the half-dozen you would choose as mottoes for your life. It is sometimes objected that Franklin's proverbs are always of a merely practical and prudential character; do you find that those given merely show one how to get on well in the world? 5 10 15 20 25 30 BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Born, at Boston, Massachusetts, January 17, 1706. Franklin was a rather large man, and is supposed to have been about five feet ten inches in height. In his youth he was stout, and in old age corpulent and heavy, with rounded shoulders. The portraits of him reveal a very vigorous looking man, with a thick 5 upper arm and a figure which, even in old age, was full and rounded. In fact, this rounded contour is his most striking characteristic. Franklin's figure was a series of harmonious curves, which make pictures of him always pleasing. These curves extended over his head and even to the lines of his face, softening the expres10 sion, slightly veiling the iron resolution, and entirely consistent with the wide sympathies, varied powers, infinite shrewdness, and vast experience which we know he possessed. SIDNEY GEORGE FISHER. Franklin is dead! The genius that freed America and poured a flood of light over Europe has returned to the bosom of the 15 Divinity. The sage whom two worlds claim as their own, the man for whom the history of science and the history of empires contend with each other, held, without doubt, a high rank in the human race. Too long have political cabinets taken formal note of the death of those who were great only in their funeral panegyrics. Too 20 long has the etiquette of courts prescribed hypocritical mourning. Nations should wear mourning only for their benefactors. The representatives of nations should recommend to their homage none but the heroes of humanity. The Congress has ordained, throughout the United States, a mourning of one month for the 25 death of Franklin, and at this moment America is paying this tribute of veneration and gratitude to one of the fathers of her Constitution. Would it not become us, gentlemen, to join in this religious act, to bear a part in this homage, rendered, in the face of the world, both to the rights of man and to the philosopher 30 who has most contributed to extend their sway over the whole earth? Antiquity would have raised altars to this mighty genius, who, to the advantage of mankind, compassing in his mind the heavens and earth, was able to restrain alike thunderbolts and tyrants. Europe, enlightened and free, owes at least a token of 35 remembrance and regret to one of the greatest men who has ever been engaged in the service of phi'osophy and liberty. I propose that it be decreed that the National Assembly, during three days, shall wear mourning for Benjamin Franklin. MIRABEAU, in a speech before the National Legislature of France, June 11, 1790. Franklin was the greatest diplomatist of the eighteenth century. 40 He never spoke a word too soon; he never spoke a word too late; he never spoke a word too much; he never failed to speak the right word at the right season. GEORGE BANCROFT. THE BATTLE OF BLENHEIM ROBERT SOUTHEY It was a summer evening, Old Kaspar's work was done, And he before his cottage door Was sitting in the sun, And by him sported on the green She saw her brother Peterkin Roll something large and round, Which he beside the rivulet In playing there had found; He came to ask what he had found, Old Kaspar took it from the boy, Who stood expectant by; |