POOR RICHARD'S ALMANACK: Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. If you'd know the value of money, go and borrow some. Haste makes waste. He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas. Fish and visitors stink in three days. A mob's a monster; heads enough, but no brains. Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards. Speak little, do much. For want of a nail the shoe is lost; for want of a shoe, the horse is lost; for want of a horse the rider is lost. Where there's marriage without love, there will be love without marriage. Take this remark from Richard, poor and lame, whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame. A full belly makes a dull brain. Well done, is twice done. Today is yesterday's pupil. To err is human, to repent divine, to persist devilish. The bird that sits, is easily shot. Blessed is he that expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed. An egg today is better than a hen tomorrow. Diligence is the mother of good luck. He that sows thorns, should never go barefoot. After three days men grow weary of a wench, a guest, and weather rainy. Light gains, heavy purses. A light purse is a heavy curse. Well done is better than well said. The cat in gloves catches no mice. Little rogues easily become great ones. Little strokes fell great oaks. Lost time is never found again. Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults. No gains without pains. Love your neighbor; yet don't pull down your hedge. Look before, or you'll find yourself behind. An empty bag cannot stand upright. A child thinks 20 shillings and 20 years can scarce ever be spent. Light heel'd mothers make leaden heel'd daughters. Light purse, heavy heart. Beauty and folly are old companions. Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn. Beware of little expenses, a small leak will sink a great ship. A father's a treasure; a brother's a comfort; a friend is both. It is ill-manners to silence a fool, and cruelty to let him go on. Don't throw stones at your neighbors, if your own windows are glass. Glass, china, and reputation are easily crack'd, and never well mended. Silence is not always a sign of wisdom, but babbling is ever a mark of folly. Think of three things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account. Who dainties love, shall beggars prove. Who has deceived thee so oft as thyself? Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich ? He that is content. Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion. Who is strong? He that can conquer his bad habits. Who is wise? He that learns from every one. God helps them that help themselves. Great modesty often hides great merit. The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise. He that waits upon fortune, is never sure of a dinner. He that cannot obey, cannot command. Let thy vices die before thee. He that scatters thorns, let him not go barefoot. Two dry sticks will burn a green one. Wish not so much to live long as to live well. Where there's no law, there's no bread. Most fools think they are only ignorant. Time is an herb that cures all diseases. Love, cough, and a smoke, can't well be hid. Dally not with other folks' women or money. Don't think to hunt two hares with one dog. If your head is wax, don't walk in the sun. If you'd lose a troublesome visitor, lend him money. Wars bring scars. Strive to be the greatest man in your country, and you may be disappointed; strive to be the best, and you may succeed; he may well win the race that runs by himself. Gifts burst rocks. Youth is pert and positive, age modest and doubting; so ears of corn when young and light, stand bolt upright, but hang their heads when weighty, full, and ripe. Love, and be loved. Some are justly laughed at for keeping their money foolishly, others for spending it idly; he is the greatest fool that lays it out in a purchase of repentance. Fools multiply folly. I have never seen the philosopher's stone that turns lead into gold, but I have known the pursuit of it turn a man's gold into lead. Love well, whip well. If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing. No wood without bark. He that builds before he counts the cost, acts foolishly; and he that counts before he builds, finds he did not count wisely. Death takes no bribes. The way to see by faith, is to shut the Eye of Reason. The morning daylight appears plainer when you put out your candle. Honors change manners. When a friend deals with a friend, let the bargain be clear and well penn'd, that they may continue friends to the end. In success be moderate. Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging one makes you but even with him; forgiving, it sets you above him. Old young and old long. O Lazy-bones! Dost thou think God would have given thee arms and legs, if he had not design'd thou should'st use them. There is no little enemy. Men differ daily about things which are subject to sense, is it likely then they should agree about things invisible? Deny self for self's sake. To be proud of knowledge, is to be blind with light; to be proud of virtue, is to poison yourself with the antidote. Hope of gain lessens pain. Rob not God, nor the poor, lest thou ruin thyself; the eagle snatched a coal from the altar, but it fired her nest. Hunger is the best pickle. Don't go to the doctor with every distemper, nor to the lawyer with every quarrel, nor to the pot for every thirst. Many medicines, few cures. Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine languages. So ignorant, that he bought a cow to ride on. Men meet, mountains never. Tis against some men's principle to pay interest, and seems against others' interest to pay the principal. A fat kitchen, a lean will. The idle man is the devil's hireling; whose livery is rags, whose diet and wages are famine and diseases. All blood is alike ancient. The honest man takes pains, and then enjoys pleasures; the knave takes pleasures, and then suffers pains. Bad gains are truly losses. A little house well fill'd, a little field well till'd, and a little wife well will'd, are great riches. Hunger never saw bad bread. Sudden power is apt to be insolent, sudden liberty saucy; that behaves best which has grown gradually. Many dishes, many diseases. The learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearned; but still 'tis nonsense. The muses love the morning. Beware of him that is slow to anger; he is angry for something, and will not be pleased for nothing. Danger is sauce for prayers. Tell a miser he's rich, and a woman she's old, you'll get no money of one, nor kindness of t'other. Great talkers, little doers. He that is of opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money. Rob not for burnt offerings. When prosperity was well mounted, she let go the bridle, and soon came tumbling out of the saddle. Late children, early orphans. Tis a strange forest that has no rotten wood in it, and a strange kindred that all are good in it. Lying rides upon debt's back. Most people return small favors, acknowledge middling ones, and repay great ones with ingratitude. Nine men in ten are suicides. Tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of s vinegar. A good lawyer, a bad neighbor. Strange! that a man who has wit enough to write a satire, should have folly enough to publish it. A soft tongue may strike hard. Singularity in the right, hath ruined many; happy those who are convinced of the general opinion. Generous minds are all of kin. Let thy discontents be thy secrets—if the world knows them 'twill despise thee and increase them. Keep your mouth wet, feet dry. Different sects like different clocks, may be all near the matter, though they don't quite agree. Observe all men; thyself most. Defer not thy well doing; be not like St. George, who is always on horseback, and never rides on. Read much, but not many books. Where there is hunger, law is not regarded; and where law is not regarded, there will be hunger. Success has ruin'd many a man. What is a butterfly at best? He's but a caterpillar dressed, the gaudy fop's his picture just. Tongue double, brings trouble. The poor man must walk to get meat for his stomach, the rich man to get a stomach to his meat. Eyes and priests bear no jests. The old man has given all to his son; O fool! to undress thyself before thou art going to bed. Great spenders are bad lenders. Retirement does not always secure virtue; Lot was upright in the city, wicked in the mountain. He that drinks fast, pays slow. One good, husband is worth two good wives; for the scarcer things are the more they're valued. Nothing so popular as goodness. Let all men know thee, but no man know thee thoroughly; men freely ford that see the shallows. The family of fools is ancient. When knaves fall out, honest men get their goods; when priests dispute, we come at the truth. The proud hate pride—in others. Speak with contempt of none, from slave to king; the meanest bee hath, and will use, a sting. Full of courtesy, full of craft. He that spills the rum loses that only; he that drinks it, often loses both that and himself. Men and melons are hard to know. Act uprightly, and despise calumny; dirt may stick to a mud wall, but not to polish'd marble. Nothing drys sooner than a tear. Talking against religion is unchaining a tiger; the beast let loose may worry his deliverer. The things which hurt, instruct. He that would live in peace and at ease, must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees. Thirst after desert, not reward. He that can bear a reproof, and mend by it, if he is not wise, is in a fair way of being so. Those who are fear'd, are hated. When death puts out your flame, the snuff will tell, if we were wax or tallow by the smell. Without justice courage is weak. The king's cheese is half wasted in parings; but no matter, 'tis made of the people's milk. A cold April, the barn will fill. The good or ill hap of a good or ill life, is the good or ill choice of a good or ill wife. God gives all things to industry. He that falls in love with himself, will have no rivals. One mend-fault is worth two find-faults, but one find-fault is better than two make-faults. Help, hands; for I have no lands. Tim and his handsaw are good in their place, tho' not fit for preaching or shaving a face. He makes a foe, who makes a jest. Samson with his strong body, had a weak head, or he would not have laid in a harlot's lap. He that takes a wife, takes care. Old boys have their playthings as well as young ones; the difference is only in the price. One today is worth two tomorrows. He that is rich need not live sparingly, and he that can live sparingly, need not be rich. Tis easy to see, hard to foresee. Tis a shame that your family is an honor to you! You ought to be an honor to your family. You may delay, but time will not. Proud modern learning despises the ancient. School-men are now laughed at by school-boys. A good example is the best sermon. Drink water; put the money in your pocket, and leave the dry-bellyache in the punch-bowl. Better slip with foot than tongue. Some make conscience of wearing a hat in the church, who make none of robbing the altar. Snowy winter, a plentiful harvest. Pollio, who values nothing that's within, buys books as men hunt beavers—for their skin. The miser's cheese is wholesom'st. Of learned fools I have seen ten times ten; of unlearned wise men I have seen a hundred. Vanity backbites more than malice. Kings have long arms, but misfortune longer; let none think themselves out of her reach. Do me the favor to deny me at once. If worldly goods cannot save me from death, they ought not to hinder me to eternal life. Half wits talk much but say little. Honor thy father and mother, i.e., live so as to be an honor to them when they are dead. It is not leisure that is not used. He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business by night. Lover and Lordship hate companions. Ben beats his pate, and fancies wit will come; but he may knock, there's nobody at home. Plough deep, while sluggards sleep. You will be careful, if you are wise; how you touch men's religion, or credit, or eyes. Sorrow is good for nothing but sin. Fond pride of dress is sure an empty curse; e'er fancy you consult, consult your purse. The doors of wisdom are never shut. Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that have not wit enough to be honest. Too much plenty makes mouth dainty. Tom, vain's your pains; they all will fail; ne'er was good arrow made of a sow's tail. Great famine when wolves eat wolves. The brave and the wise can both pity and excuse, when cowards and fools shew no mercy. Half the truth is often a great lie. When you speak to a man, look on his eyes; when he speaks to thee, look on his mouth. Meanness is the parent of insolence. Visits should be short, like a winter's day; lest you're too troublesome hasten away. Much virtue in herbs, little in men. The nearest way to come to glory, is to do that for conscience which we do for glory. Necessity never made a good bargain. The heart of the fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of the wise man is in his heart. When you taste honey, remember gall. Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that's the stuff life is made of. A man in a passion rides a mad horse. A new truth is a truth, an old error is an error, though Clodpate won't allow either. A modern wit is one of David's fools. Visit your aunt, but not every day; and call at your brother's, but not every night. An old man in a house is a good sign. The painful preacher, like a candle bright, consumes himself in giving others light. A quiet conscience sleeps in thunder. The ancients tell us what is best, but we must learn of the moderns what is fittest. As pride increases, fortune declines. Content and riches seldom meet together. Riches take thou, contentment I had rather. At a great pennyworth, pause a while. Thou canst not joke an enemy into a friend; but thou may'st a friend into an enemy. Despair ruins some, presumption many. The wise man draws more advantage from his enemies, than the fool from his friends. Fly pleasures and they'll follow you. Laws like to cobwebs, catch small flies, great ones break through before your eyes. He that hath a trade, hath an estate. Every man has assurance enough to boast of his honesty, few of their understanding. Idleness is the greatest prodigality. Be not niggardly of what costs thee nothing, as courtesy, counsel, and countenance. If you have time don't wait for time. Are you angry that others disappoint you? Remember you cannot depend upon yourself. Many a meal is lost for want of meat. Tis great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults, greater to tell him his. Tell me my faults, and mend your own. Sloth (like rust) consumes faster than labor wears. The used key is always bright. The devil sweetens poison with honey. Money and man a mutual friendship show; man makes false money, money makes man so. Three good meals a day is bad living. He who buys had need have 100 eyes, but one's enough for him that sells the stuff. What you would seem to be, be really. Virtue may not always make a face handsome, but vice will certainly make it ugly. Wide will wear, but narrow will tear. Tis better leave for an enemy at one's death, than beg of a friend in one's life. A lie stands on one leg, truth on two. Proclaim not all thou knowest, all thou owest, all thou hast, nor all thou canst. He that speaks much, is much mistaken. If you would have guests merry with cheer, be so yourself, or so at least appear. Many estates are spent in the getting. Hold your council before dinner; the full belly hates thinking as well as acting. He's a fool that makes his doctor his heir. Drunkenness, that worst of evils, makes some men fools, some beasts, some devils. Men take more pains to mask than mend. Cut the wings of your hens and hopes, lest they lead you a wary dance after them. The rotten apple spoils his companion. The sun never repents of the good he does, nor does he ever demand a recompence. A full belly is the mother of all evil. Let thy child's first lesson be obedience, and the second may be what thou wilt. Ask and have, is sometimes dear buying. In the affairs of this world men are saved, not by faith, but by the want of it. Keep flax from fire, youth from gaming. If you ride a horse, sit close and tight, if you ride a man, sit easy and light. Poor Plain Dealing! Dead without issue. To bear other people's afflictions, every one has courage enough, and to spare. Sloth and silence are a fool's virtues. There are three things extremely hard, steel, a diamond and to know one's self. The royal crown cures not the headache. The proof of gold is fire; the proof of woman, gold; the proof of man, a woman. Tis not a holiday that's not kept holy. Promises may get thee friends, but non-performance will turn them into enemies. To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals. One may be more cunning than another, but not more cunning than everybody else. A quarrelsome man has no good neighbors. Lend money to an enemy, and thou'lt gain him, to a friend and thou'lt lose him. Be always ashamed to catch thyself idle. If you would reap praise you must sow the seeds, gentle words and useful deeds. Fools make feasts, and wise men eat 'em. If your riches are yours, why don't you take them with you to the other world? If you'd have it done, go; if not, send. Don't value a man for the quality he is of, but for the qualities he possesses. Many foxes grow grey, but few grow good. With the old almanack and the old year, leave thy old vice, tho' ever so dear. None are deceived but they that confide. Three things are men most likely to be cheated in, a horse, a wig, and a wife. Nothing but money is sweeter than honey. There is much difference between imitating a good man, and counterfeiting him. Pardoning the bad, is injuring the good. The creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times. Prayers and provender hinder no journey. Is there anything men take more pains about than to render themselves unhappy? Time enough always proves little enough. Ignorance leads men into a party, and shame keeps them from getting out again. Welcome, mischief, if thou comest alone. He is a governor that governs his passions, and he a servant that serves them. An old young man will be a young old man. Tis less discredit to abridge petty charges, than to stoop to petty gettings. Bad commentators spoil the best of books. Mary's mouth costs her nothing, for she never opens it but at others expense. Fear God, and your enemies will fear you. If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philisopher's stone. Gifts much expected, are paid, not given. If wind blows on you thro' a hole, make your will and take care of your soul. God heals, and the doctor takes the fees. If thou would'st live long, live well; for folly and wickedness shorten life. Happy Tom Crump, ne'er sees his own hump. He that would have a short Lent, let him borrow money to be repaid at Easter. Hear reason, or she'll make you feel her. Buy what thou hast no need of; and e'er long thou shalt sell thy necessaries. He is ill clothed, who is bare of virtue. When knaves betray each other, one can scarce be blamed or the other pitied. Let every new year find you a better man. Tis easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it. Some are weatherwise, some are otherwise. No workman without tools, nor lawyer without fools, can live by their rules. The discontented man finds no easy chair. I'll warrant ye, goes before rashness; "Who'd-a-tho't" comes sneaking after. The favor of the great is no inheritance. He that pays for work before it's done, has but a penny-worth for two pence. The golden age never was the present age. An hundred thieves cannot strip one naked man, especially if his skin's off. There's a time to wink as well as to see. Women and wine, game and deceit, make the wealth small and the wants great. There's none deceived but he that trusts. When there's more malice shown than matter, on Jie writer falls the satire. When the wine enters, out goes the truth. There are three faithful friends, an old wife, an old dog, and ready money. Where bread is wanting, all's to be sold. The magistrate should obey the laws, the people should obey the magistrate. A man without a wife, is but a half a man. Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man. Drive thy business, or it will drive thee. Observe old Vellum; he praises former times, as if he'd a mind to sell 'em. Graft good fruit all, or graft not at all. Nor eye in a letter, nor hand in a purse, nor ear in the secret of another. Great almsgiving, lessens no man's living. Learn of the skillful; he that teaches himself, hath a fool for his master. He who multiplies riches multiplies cares. He's the best physician that knows the worthlessness of the most medicines. Kings and bears often worry their keepers. A house without woman and firelight, is like a body without soul or sprite. Money and good manners make the gentleman. You may sometimes be much in the wrong, in owning your being in the right. Pride dines upon vanity, sups on contempt. The busy man has few idle visitors; to the boiling pot the flies come not. Silks and satins put out the kitchen fire. At 20 years of age the will reigns; at thirty the wit; at 40 the judgment. The way to be safe, is never to be secure. As we must account for every idle word, so we must for every idle silence. Tis a well spent penny that saves a groat. Anger and folly walk cheek by jole; repentance treads on both their heels. A lean award is better than a fat judgment. A cypher and humility make the other figures and virtues of tenfold value. All would live long, but none would be old. The generous mind least regards money, and yet most feels the want of it. Great merit is coy, as well as great pride. Nick's passions grow fat and hearty; his understanding looks consumptive. Happy's the wooing that's not long a doing. He that pursues two hares at once, does not catch one and let t'other go. He has lost his boots, but sav'd his spurs. Fine linen, girls and gold so bright, choose not to take by candle light. He's a fool that cannot conceal his wisdom. An honest man will receive neither money nor praise, that is not his due. If you'd be belov'd, make yourself amiable. Who knows a fool, must know his brother; for one will recommend another. If you would be loved, love and be lovable. What's proper is becoming; see the blacksmith with his white silk apron. I saw few die of hunger, of eating 100,000. To be intimate with a foolish friend, is like going to bed with a razor. Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee. He that cannot bear with other people's passions, cannot govern his own. Never intreat a servant to dwell with thee. He that buys by the penny, maintains not only himself, but other people. Nice eaters seldom meet with a good dinner. Content is the philosopher's stone, that turns all it touches into gold. Onions can make ev'n heirs and widows weep. Where yet was ever found the mother, who'd change her baby for another? Praise to the undeserving is severe satire. When out of favor, none know thee; when in, thou dcst not know thyself. Saying and doing have quarrel'd and parted. What signifies knowing the names, if you know not the nature of things. The sting of a reproach is the truth of it. We are not so sensible of the greatest health as of the least sickness. Vain-glory flowereth, but beareth no fruit. Up, sluggard, and waste not life; in the grave will be sleeping enough. Vice knows she's ugly, so puts on her mask. Mad kings and mad bulls, are not to be held by treaties and packthread. Willows are weak, but they bind the faggot. Here comes the orator, with his flood of words, and his drop of reason. Write injuries in dust, benefits in marble. Fear not death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal. You may talk too much on the best subjects. Tis a laudable ambition, that aims at being better than his neighbors. As charms are nonsense, nonsense is a charm. The poor have little, beggars none, the rich too much, enough not one. Creditors have better memories than debtors. Teach your child to hold his tongue, he'll learn fast enough to speak. Don't misinform your doctor nor your lawyer. Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty, supped with infamy. Harry Smatter, has a mouth for every matter. It's common for men to give pretended reasons instead of one real one. Industry pays debts, despair increases them. He is no clown that drives the plow, but he that doth clownish things. Pretty and witty, will wound if they hit ye. Happy that Nation, fortunate that age, whose history is not diverting. The honey is sweet, but the bee has a sting. For age and want save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day. There are lazy minds as well as lazy bodies. Would you live wiih ease, do what you ought, and not what you please. The sleeping fox catches no poultry. Up! up! To whom thy secret thou dost tell, to him thy freedom thou dost sell. Why does the blind man's wife paint herself? Tomorrow every fault is to be amended; but that tomorrow never comes. Approve not of him that commends all you say. Take heed of the vinegar of sweet wine, and the anger of good-nature. Bargaining has neither friends nor relations. Necessity has no law; Why? Because, 'tis not to be had without money. Blame-all and praise-all are two block heads. If you would keep your secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend. Cheese and salt meat should be sparingly eat. He that sells upon trust, loses many friends, and always wants money. He does not possess wealth, it possesses him. Changing countries or beds, cures neither a bad manager, nor a fever. He that speaks ill of the mare, will buy her. What signifies your patience, if you can't find it when you want it. He that won't be counsell'd, can't be help'd. None know the unfortunate, and the fortunate do not know themselves. He that would travel much, should eat little. Ne'er take a wife till thou hast a house (and a fire) to put her in. If passion drives, let reason hold the reins. Keep thou from the opportunity, and God will keep thee from the sin. Nothing more like a fool, than a drunken man. He that by the plow would thrive, himself must either hold or drive. Pray, don't burn my house to roast your eggs. A traveler should have a hog's nose, deer's legs, and an ass's back. There's more old drunkards, than old doctors. Anoint a villain and he'll stab you; stab him, and he'll anoint you. Virtue and happiness are mother and daughter. Ambition often spends foolishly what avarice had wickedly collected. Weighty questions ask for deliberate answers. A flatterer never seems absurd: The flatter'd always takes his word. A temper to bear much, will have much to bear. They who have nothing to trouble them, will be troubled at nothing. Beware of the young doctor and the old barber. The bell calls others to church, but itself never minds the sermon. Children and princes will quarrel for trifles. The absent are never without fault, nor the present without excuse. Do not do that which you would not have known. Prodigality of time, produces poverty of mind as well as of estate. Fear to do ill, and you need fear naught else. It is ill jesting with the joiner's tools, worse with the doctor's. Patience in market, is worth pounds in a year. Ill company is like a dog who dirts those most, that he loves best. Spare and have is better than spend and crave. He's gone, and forgot nothing but to say farewell—to his creditors. There are no ugly loves, nor handsome prisons. Good sense is a thing all need, few have, and none think they want. Trouble springs from idleness; toil from ease. Give me yesterday's bread, this day's flesh, and last year's cyder. What's given shines, what's receiv'd is rusty. Drink does not drown care, but waters it, and makes it grow faster. Where sense is wanting, everything is wanting. A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough. Eat few suppers, and you'll need few medicines. When reason preaches, if you won't hear her, she'll box your ears. For one poor man there are an hundred indigent. There's small revenge in words, but words may be greatly revenged. Have you somewhat to do to-morrow; do it today. Take courage, mortal; death can't banish thee out of the universe. Neglect kills injuries, revenge increases them. Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power. Never praise your cyder, horse, or a bedfellow. Quarrels never could last long, if on one side only lay the wrong. No man e'er was glorious who was not laborious. Poverty wants some things, luxury many things, avarice all things. Pride and the gout are seldom cur'd throughout. He that can compose himself, is wiser than he that composes books. There was never a good knife made of bad steel. Great estates may venture more; little boats must keep near shore. The tongue is ever turning to the aching tooth. Don't judge of men's wealth or piety, by their Sunday appearances. Tis hard (but glorious) to be poor and lionest. Beware, beware! He'll cheat without scruple, who can without fear. Virtue and a trade, are a child's best portion. A countryman between two lawyers, is like a fish between two cats. We may give advice, but we cannot give conduct. You may give a man an office, but you cannot give him discretion. Where good laws are, much people flock thither. Many a man's own tongue gives evidence against his understanding. Ceremony is not civility; nor civility ceremony. It's the easiest thing in the world for a man to deceive himself. Clean your finger, before you point at my spots. Friendship increases by visiting friends, but by visiting seldom. He that can have patience can have what he will. Experience keeps a dear school, yet fools will learn in no other. He that never eats too much, will never be lazy. The rivers and bad governments, the lightest things swim at top. He that would catch fish, must venture his bait. Many a man would have been worse, if his estate had been better. Ill customs and bad advice are seldom forgotten. If man could have half his wishes, he would double his troubles. Jack Little sow'd little, and little he'll reap. Fools need advice most, but wise men only are the better for it. Marry above thy match, and thou'lt get a master. Ever since follies have pleased, fools have been able to divert. Most of the learning in use, is of no great use. An ounce of wit that is bought, is worth a pound that is taught. Tho' modesty is a virtue, bashfulness is a vice. A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one. When the well's dry, we know the worth of water. You can bear your own faults, and why not a fault in your wife. When 'tis fair, be sure take your coat with you. Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose. You may be too cunning for one, out not for all. The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it? An ill wound, but not an ill name, may be healed. Strange, that he who lives by shifts, can seldom shift himself. Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing. Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy. Distrust and caution are the parents of security. Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed. Don't overload gratitude; if you do, she'll kick. If you do what you would not, you must hear what you would not. Liberality is not giving much, but giving wisely. At the working man's house hunger looks in but dares not enter. The excellency of hogs is fatness, of men virtue. All things are easy to industry, all things difficult to sloth. The same man cannot be both friend and flatterer. There're many witty men whose brains can't fill their bellies. The tongue offends, and the ears get the cuffing. There is neither honor nor gain got in dealing with a villian. Trust thyself, and another shall not betray thee. Rather go to bed supperless, than run in debt for a breakfast. Who judges best of a man, his enemies or himself? Poverty, poetry, and new titles of honor, make men ridiculous. Wish a miser long life, and you wish him no good. Neither praise nor dispraise, till seven Christmasses be over. Anger warms the invention, but overheats the oven. Neglect mending a small fault, and 'twill soon be a great one. Courage would fight, but discretion won't let him. If thou injurest conscience, it will have its revenge on thee. Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others. How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults. Grace thou thy house, and let not that grace thee. He that's content hath enough; he that complains has too much. He has chang'd his one ey'd horse for a blind one. He that goes far to marry, will either deceive or be deceived. He that can travel well afoot, keeps a good horse. He that drinks his cyder alone, let him catch his horse alone. If Jack's in love, he's no judge of Jill's beauty. He that doth what he should not, shall feel what he would not. No resolution repenting hereafter, can be sincere. He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities. Pain wastes the body; pleasures the understanding. As sore places meet most rubs, proud folks meet most affronts. Pay what you owe, and you'll know what's your own. A plowman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees. Speak and speed; the close mouth catches no flies. The prodigal generally does more injustice than the covetous. The end of passion is the beginning of repentance. Suspicion may be no fault, but showing it may be a great one. Write with the learned, pronounce with the vulgar. Marry your son when you will, but your daughter when you can. A good man is seldom uneasy, an ill one never easy. Diligence overcomes difficulties, sloth makes them. Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy. He that best understands the world, least likes it. Hope and a red rag, are baits for men and mackerel. If pride leads the van, beggary brings up the rear. Pride gets into the coach, and shame mounts behind. The good pay-master is lord of another man's purse. After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser. Genius without education is like silver in the mine. He that would rise at court, must begin by creeping. Idleness is the Dead Sea, that swallows all virtues. Philosophy as well as foppery often changes fashion. Those that have much business must have much pardon. Tis easier to prevent bad habits tnan to break them. Wink at small faults; remember thou hast great ones. God, parents, and instructors, can never be requited. Interest which blinds some people, enlightens others. It is better to take many injuries, than to give one. Let thy maid-servant be faithful, strong, and homely. Many complain of their memory, few of their judgment. Many princes sin with David, but few repent with him. The eye of a master, will do more work than his hand. When you're good to othere, you are best to yourself. Would you persuade, speak of interest, not of reason. A pair of good ears will drain dry an hundred tongues. Clearly spoken, Mr. Fog! You explain English by Greek. Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure. He that has not got a wife, is not yet a complete man. If you desire many things, many things seem but a few. If you'd have a servant that you like, serve yourself. Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water. The master's eye wil do more work than both his hands. Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it. An undutiful daughter, will prove an unmanageable wife. A wicked hero will turn his back to an innocent coward. Beware of meat twice boil'd, and an old foe reconcil'd. He that has a trade, has an office of profit and honor. If it were not for the belly, the back might wear gold. Men often mistake themselves, seldom forget themselves. Never spare the parson's wine, nor the baker's pudding. Poor Dick eats like a well man, and drinks like a sick. Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices. The second vice is lying; the first is running in debt. The too obliging temper is evermore disobliging itself. Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors. If you would be reveng'd of your enemy, govern yourself. Necessity has no law; I know some attorneys of the same. None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing. Presumption first blinds a man, then sets him a running. Tho' the mastiff be gentle, yet bite him not by the lip. Want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge. All mankind are beholden to him that is kind to the good. All things are cheap to the saving, dear to the wasteful. An innocent plowman is more worthy than a vicious prince. Calamity and prosperity are the touchstones of integrity. Good wives and good plantation are made by good husbands. Nothing humbler than ambition, when it is about to climb. The most exquisite folly is made of wisdom spun too fine. There are no fools so troublesome as those that have wit. There is no man so bad but he secretly respects the good. A life of leisure, and a life of laziness, are two things. Better is a little with content than much with contention. By diligence and patience, the mouse bit in two the cable. Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is. If you have no money in your pot, have some in your mouth. Lovers, travellers, and poets will give money to be heard. The heathens when they dy'd, went to bed without a candle. A fine genius in his own country, is like gold in the mine. Declaiming against pride, is not always a sign of humility. Friendship cannot live with ceremony, nor without civility. Great good-nature, without prudence, is a great misfortune. Great talkers should be cropt, for they've no need of ears. Many would live by their wits, but break for want of stock. Now I've a sheep and a cow, every body bids me good morrow. The wolf sheds his coat once a year, his disposition never. When befriended, remember it; when you befriend, forget it. A man without ceremony has need of great merit in its place. Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one. Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor. Do good to thy friend to keep him, to thy enemy to gain him. If thou hast wit and learning, add to it wisdom and modesty. Laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him. Many have quarrel'd about religion, that never practiced it. Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. Sleep without supping, and you'll rise without owing for it. The cunning man steals a horse, the wise man lets him alone. The horse thinks one thing, and he that saddles him another. Tis easier to build two chimneys, than maintain one in fuel. Half hospitality opens his door and shuts up his countenance. He is not well bred, that cannot bear ill-breeding in others. He that resolves to mend hereafter, resolves not to mend now. A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines. It is wise not to seek a secret, and honest not to reveal it. Words may show a man's wit, but actions his meaning. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, 1773