Poor Richard

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Poor Richards Almanack

• Benjamin Franklin

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Benjamin Franklin

• Worked as a printer for his brothers print shop
• By the time he was 16, he was writing columns for
  his brothers newspaper
• Moved to Philadelphia to open his own print shop
• Retired at 42
• Played an important role in the drafting of the
  Declaration and enlisting the French to help in
  our war.
• Responsible for inventing street lamps,
  lightening rod, and bifocal eye glasses and
  establishing the fire department and public
  library (among many other things)

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Ben Franklins Secret to Success

• In his autobiography, he describes how he
  attempted to become the perfect person/citizen.
• Using logic and scientific reasoning (values and
  elements of the time of Rationalism), he
  attempted to achieve perfection at 1 virtue a
  week, adding another virtue when he became
  successful at maintaining the first.

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13 Virtues to Perfection

• Temperance
• Silence
• Order
• Resolution
• Frugality
• Industry
• Sincerity
• Justice
• Moderation
• Cleanliness
• Tranquility
• Chastity
• Humility

He made this list in a particular order, thinking
that his achievement of the previous virtue would
help him accomplish the next one He was not
successful in achieving perfection (no one would
be). However, he became a better man because he
tried.
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Poor Richards Almanack

• Franklins most popular and enduring contribution
  to American (literary) culture.
• Franklin published the manuscript under the
  pseudonym Richard Saunders. The character was a
  dull and foolish astronomer who became
  thoughtful, pious, and humorous over the years.

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Whats an Almanack?

• Almanack an annual publication containing
  information, observations, and advice
• What was in an Almanack?
• Practical information about the calendar
• Sun and moon phases
• Weather (from the previous year)
• Agricultural advice
• Aphorisms

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Whats an Aphorism?

• Aphorism short, witty (and often humorous)
  homespun sayings and observations with a message
  about life or humanity
• (also known in our culture as proverbs and
  maxims)
• Example
• If you would know the value of money, try to
  borrow some.
• Such aphorisms were often at the top and bottom
  of each page of his Almanack.

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Directions Part 1
Aphorism Meaning/ Interpretation Virtue the Aphorism reflects
Write the aphorism here Write the meaning or interpretation here Write the virtue (out of the 13 Franklin mentions in his autobiography) that the aphorism reflects

• Turn to page 146
• Create the following chart in your journal (3
  columns with 10 rowsone for each aphorism)
• Choose 10 of the aphorisms from your book.
• Fill in the chart, discussing the interpretation
  of each aphorism and how it reflects the virtues
  Franklin valued.

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Directions Part 2

• In your groups, come up with three additional
  aphorisms that you have heard/referenced before.
• (They cannot be examples from this PowerPoint)
• Choose your favorite one of the three and
  illustrate it in your journal.
• Examples