Thought this might make for a fun thread. I read from the Almanack frequently and get a lot of mileage out of it (yours may vary). I’ll post some stuff from it here now and then for your reading pleasure and consideration. Enjoy!
Ben Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack.
- Thread starter Sam Gamgee
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Franklin was not only a printer but also a masterful wordsmith. One of his adages, a favorite of mine, is, "He who riseth late must trot all day." The brilliance being the simple word choice of "trot." He could have said rush or hurry or something else, but trot perfectly captures the picture. When I get up late, I always think of that one, and I do trot.
Funny, I think of that very one EVERY time I’m running late. And yes, “trot” was the perfect word choice.
Franklin could really write. He was also a chick magnet.
I remember my folks buying the Almanac to gauge their expectations for the growing season and subsequent winter. I don't recall that it was very accurate on either count.
You’re likely thinking of the Old Farmers Alamanac, not quite the same things as Poor Richard’s.
Perhaps, a long time ago. As I recall there were a lot of almanacs available, for example one had a bunch of facts and figures from around the world -- things like size and population of countries, annual grain production etc. My parents had several different ones on hand at any one time. Some were actually useful to recover facts for term papers and the like.
A young Ben...
As an old man, most of us lose a little of our sexiness. (maybe not me) And, of course, over time, the aesthetics of what people thought were appealing changes with styles.
At one time, this was thought to be the Germanic ideal...
As an old man, most of us lose a little of our sexiness. (maybe not me) And, of course, over time, the aesthetics of what people thought were appealing changes with styles.
At one time, this was thought to be the Germanic ideal...
I don't recall where I read it, but I remember reading that man is geared (through evolution) to be attracted to full figured curvy women...it registers in our mind to represent fertility.
If you've not seen the Ken Burns documentary on him, it's a great watch.
Benjamin Franklin | Ken Burns | PBS | Watch Benjamin Franklin: A Ken Burns Film | Full Documentary Now Streaming | PBS
Ken Burns’s four-hour documentary, Benjamin Franklin, explores the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most consequential figures, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States.
www.pbs.org
I have not seen this one, and have to admit that I shy away from modern studies and portrayals of the Founders. There is a trend among historians now to tear them down, focus only on the controversial, and apply a 21st century standard to anyone in history (anyone traditionally celebrated or considered important anyway). The first rule when studying history should always be to observe, not judge, and this rule is broken constantly in contemporary historical studies. Perhaps Burns’s documentary does a better job; if so I’m speaking out of turn.If you've not seen the Ken Burns documentary on him, it's a great watch.
Benjamin Franklin | Ken Burns | PBS | Watch Benjamin Franklin: A Ken Burns Film | Full Documentary Now Streaming | PBS
Ken Burns’s four-hour documentary, Benjamin Franklin, explores the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most consequential figures, whose work and words unlocked the mystery of electricity and helped create the United States.www.pbs.org
This was found in Germanic regions in Austria, from prehistoric archeology sites.
But, really, it doesn't do much for me.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch." ~Ben Franklin
But, really, it doesn't do much for me.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch." ~Ben Franklin
Looks like a normal day at Walmart around here.This was found in Germanic regions in Austria, from prehistoric archeology sites.
View attachment 180436
But, really, it doesn't do much for me.
"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch." ~Ben Franklin
I felt they did a good job at weighing the time period in the assessment.
T
That’s good to hear, so I’ll try to watch this one sometime. I remember some years ago watching a documentary on Jefferson (I believe it was a Burns film). The opening bit was a reading from the Declaration (“We hold these truths to be self-evident, they all men are created equal…”), and in the very next breath they point out the “irony” of the man who wrote this being a slave owner. I knew where it would go from there so I just turned it off. This proves my earlier point about modern historians. Jefferson is one of the most (possibly the most) brilliant men in American history, and the first thing they focus on is a controversy. That is the sad state of academia today though.
But it is ironic. Perhaps by turning it off, you denied yourself a fuller understanding of Jefferson. Consider for example, his failure to prepare to defend Virginia from the British. Revisionist history can be annoying when it seems to attack our heroes just to be contrarian, but we should view them as they were. We need history, not hagiography.
No thanks. It’s the “fuller understanding” that has led to the toppling of statues, renaming of schools, CRT in the curriculum, etc, etc.
Old Moores Almanac, Farmer Almanac are amusing reads. I have not seen a copy of Poor Richards Almanac about and would certainly purchase a copy - anyone have a link? For Horoscopes believe it or not you just cannot beat The Hindustan Times!