Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a statesman, printer, publisher, and also scientist, born in Boston, now in USA, was the youngest son of a tallow-chandler and one of a family of 17. He received a meagre education, and at the age of 12 became apprenticed to his brother, a printer and proprietor of a small newspaper, to whose columns he began to contribute. However, subsequently quarrelling with him he made his way almost penniless to Philadelphia, where he worked as a printer. In 1724, he came to England under promises of assistance, which were not fulfilled, and for 18 months laboured at his printing trade in London, when he returned to Philadelphia, and there, by steady industry, won a secure position as a printer and proprietor of the Pennsylvania Gazette. In 1732 began to appear his Poor Richard's Almanac, which, with its famous maxims of prudential philosophy, had a phenomenal success.Four years later he entered upon a public career, rising through various offices to the position of Deputy Postmaster-General for the Colonies, and sitting in the Assembly. He carried through important political missions to England in 1757 and 1764, and was prominent in the deliberations which ended in the declaration of American independence in 1776. He visited France and helped to bring about the French alliance, and made an unavailing effort to bring in Canada, and, as American minister, signed the Treaty of Independence in 1783. He was subsequently minister to France, and was twice unanimously elected President of Pennsylvania. His name is also associated with discoveries in natural science, notably the discovery of the identity of electricity and lightning, which he achieved by means of a kite. He received degrees from Oxford and Edinburgh Universities, and was elected an FRS. In 1730 he married Deborah Reid, by whom he had two children.
Wisdom & Quotes
- In this world, nothing can be said to be certain except death and taxes.
- He that lives upon hope will die fasting.
- God heals and the doctor takes the fees.
- Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
- Eat to live, and not live to eat.
- Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.
- Where there's marriage without love, there will be love without marriage.
- Success has ruined many a man.
- A little neglect may breed great mischief… for the want of a nail the shoe was lost; for the want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for the want of a horse the rider was lost.
- Pride is said to be the last vice the good man gets clear of.
- We must, indeed, all hand together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.
- Time is money.
- Man is a tool-making animal.
- A single man… is an incomplete animal. He resembles the odd half of a pair of scissors.
- Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.
- No nation was ever ruined by trade.
- There never was a good war or a bad peace.
Henry Fielding