Benjamin Franklin

In light of approaching holiday, I thought of several of the founders of our country and remembered a biography I read of Benjamin Franklin.

 At 26, Franklin published the first edition of Poor Richard's Almanac under the pseudonym Richard Saunders.In his Almanac, Franklin wrote many clever sayings which are still part of our cultural heritage today, and here are several:

- Remember that time is money.

- A little neglect may breed mischief: for want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost.

- A penny saved is a penny earned.

- Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.

- Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

- Fish and visitors smell in three days.

- Genius without education is like silver in the mine.

- God helps them that help themselves.

- Haste makes waste.

- Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?

- It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.

- Little strokes fell great oaks.

- Never leave that till to-morrow which you can do to-day.

- Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

- Well done is better than well said.

Ben Franklin experts question whether, in fact, he wrote all his humorous lines. Some believe he researched them and revamped them into his own inimitable style.