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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
At first, the idea that these were written before the United States even existed as a country impressed me beyond anything else. Along with that the similarities of Poor Richard's advice (and franklin's letters containing advice at the end) to today's 'living simply' movement were striking. Minus some of the more complex turns of phrase, some of the essays/letters could have been on someone's blog.
I loved that the book I was reading was printed in the early 50's as well. It made everything more authentic.
I loved that the book I was reading was printed in the early 50's as well. It made everything more authentic.
A quick read, at times it made me laugh; at other times it made me thankful that I don't live in the late 1700s.
This is an interesting book and gives some insight into the kind of advice people were often given. While I was reading I realized there was apparently some serious paranoia about a few different things: doctors, women, and debt collectors. While it's already a given that certain unfortunate ideas held nowadays stem from earlier periods this book gives a pretty good idea of what some of them were and are, especially regarding women. Having said that, I'm not sure anyone is a big fan of being in debt but I can't help but think there were some different undertones to that sentiment back in the day.
So, I can't say I always "enjoyed" this book but it is historically illuminating and I would recommend it on those merits. Probably my favorite piece of advice was "Men and melons are hard to know." This was not something I'd ever heard before and I found it quite amusing. I looked it up and it is actually a pretty good observation: both can be pretty thick.
So, I can't say I always "enjoyed" this book but it is historically illuminating and I would recommend it on those merits. Probably my favorite piece of advice was "Men and melons are hard to know." This was not something I'd ever heard before and I found it quite amusing. I looked it up and it is actually a pretty good observation: both can be pretty thick.
Something that you can read anytime, everytime. A classic book for people to learn from his experiences, although I seem to notice that some of the advices are recurrent. He mainly talks about being frugal, living the 7 virtues, and other social commentaries that would make you a better person.
Its amazing that some of his proverbs are already 'cliched' in today's societies - and I was surprised to see his short comments on the weather, science, religions and other interesting short articles he has written. He also has a Malay proverb - the one about a young rice stalk is active and sprightly - but with age, experience and wisdom, the stalk grows heavier, and its head bows down near to the ground - a sign of humility for those who are learned.
I recommend it to people who would want an easy browsing on how to have better life skills and manners from ol' Ben Frank.
Its amazing that some of his proverbs are already 'cliched' in today's societies - and I was surprised to see his short comments on the weather, science, religions and other interesting short articles he has written. He also has a Malay proverb - the one about a young rice stalk is active and sprightly - but with age, experience and wisdom, the stalk grows heavier, and its head bows down near to the ground - a sign of humility for those who are learned.
I recommend it to people who would want an easy browsing on how to have better life skills and manners from ol' Ben Frank.
Comprised of much wisdom and wit, and favorably succinct
medium-paced
In Poor Richard's Almanac, Benjamin Franklin offers trite bits of wisdom both relevant in his time and the 21st century. Of course, not all of his aphorism are applicable today (all the references to horses and carts!), and he has a heavy preoccupation with "Industry: Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions", I still had a delightful time reading the many sayings and phrases. The following five are among my favorites:
"Avoid dishonest gain: no price can recompense the pangs of vice."
"All blood is alike ancient."
"Despair ruins some, Presumption many."
"Glass, China, and Reputation, are easily crack'd and never well mended.
"'Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them."
Benjamin Franklin's advice reminds me a lot of the conduct of a Greek stoic, one who values himself through his control over vices and emotions. I feel that this individualist attitude really helped shape the concern that Franklin has self-management, productivity, and stability.
"Avoid dishonest gain: no price can recompense the pangs of vice."
"All blood is alike ancient."
"Despair ruins some, Presumption many."
"Glass, China, and Reputation, are easily crack'd and never well mended.
"'Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them."
Benjamin Franklin's advice reminds me a lot of the conduct of a Greek stoic, one who values himself through his control over vices and emotions. I feel that this individualist attitude really helped shape the concern that Franklin has self-management, productivity, and stability.