Ben Franklin cuts to the chase

    "Finally, there seem to be but three Ways for a Nation to acquire Wealth. The first is by War as the Romans did in plundering their conquered Neighbours. This is Robbery. The second by Commerce which is generally Cheating. The third by Agriculture the only honest Way; wherein Man receives a real Increase of the Seed thrown into the Ground, in a kind of continual Miracle wrought by the Hand of God in his favour, as a Reward for his innocent Life, and virtuous Industry."

Benjamin Franklin, Positions to be Examined, April 4, 1769

Here are some favourites of mine by him.....

"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." — Benjamin Franklin

"How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!"— Benjamin Franklin

"I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong."— Benjamin Franklin

"Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!" — Benjamin Franklin

"The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results." — Benjamin Franklin

"By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail."— Benjamin Franklin

"Man will occasionally stumble over the truth, but usually manages to pick himself up, walk over or around it, and carry on." — Benjamin Franklin

"I have lived, Sir, a long time and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth -- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings that "except the Lord build they labor in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel"— Benjamin Franklin

"If everyone is thinking alike, then no one is thinking."— Benjamin Franklin

An interesting man.

Chelle

i just yesterday got my copy of "The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Indepenedence" and can't wait to read it..it is a reprint of the original book from 1848

That sounds excellent! 1848 reprint... should have no current political correctness. Worth reading.

I have watched some documentaries on some of them and watch a movie about John Adams. Even tho I don't live in the States I found it fascinating.

Chelle

He'd be proud how we turned #3 into #2.