On December 23, 1732, Benjamin Franklin published the first Poor Richard’s Almanack. Franklin published it under the name of Richard Saunders, giving rise that the name Poor Richard. The Almanack was published for 25 years by Franklin and sold as many as 10,000 copies per year. “Almanacks were very popular books in colonial America, offering a mixture of seasonal weather forecasts, practical household hints, puzzles, and other amusements. Poor Richard’s Almanack was also popular for its extensive use of wordplay, and some of the witty phrases coined in the work survive in the contemporary American vernacular.”[*]
Over the 25 years of its publication, there were some timely nuggets of advice given. Some of them are common phrases used in modern society.
- Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
- God helps them that help themselves.
- Haste makes waste.
To help inspire, lift and educate, here are 101 sayings from the Poor Richard’s Almanac.
Poor Richard’s 101
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.