| Benjamin Franklin 17.1. 1706, Boston – 17.4. 1790 Philadelphia; Buchdrucker, Journalist, Verleger, Erfinder, Staatsmann, Naturwissenschaftler und Schriftsteller – 
Rezension: The Autobiography |
| Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever
share they have of it themselves; but I give it fair quarter wherever I meet
with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of good to the possessor,
and to others that are within his sphere of action; and therefore, in many
cases, it would not be altogether absurd if a man were to thank God for his
vanity among the other comforts of life. The Autobiography, S.7 |
| From a child I was fond of reading, and
all the little money that came ino my hands was ever laid out in
books. The Autobiography,
S.16 |
| This library afforded me the means of
improvement by constant study, for which I set apart an hour or two each day,
and thus repair'd in some degree the loss of the learned education my father
once intended for me. Reading was the only amusement I allow'd myself. I spent
no time in taverns, games, or frolicks of any kind; and my industry in my
business continu'd as indefatigable as it was necessary. The Autobiography, S.89 |
| Human felicity is produc‘d not so much by great pieces of
good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.
Thus, if you teach a poor young man to shave himself, and keep his razor in
order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life than in giving him
a thousand guineas. The money may be soon spent, the regret only remaining of
having foolishly consumed it; but in the other case, he escapes the frequent
vexation of waiting for barbers, and of their sometimes dirty fingers,
offensive breaths, and dull razors; he shaves when most convenient to him, and
enjoys daily the pleasure of its being done with a good instrument.
The Autobiography, S.145 |
| "There never was a
good war, or a bad peace" Letter to Josiah Quincy |
| "They that can give up essential liberty
to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor
safety." Historical Review of Pennsylvania. 1759 This sentence was much used in the Revolutionary period. It occurs even so early as November, 1755, in an answer by the Assembly of Pennsylvania to the Governor, and forms the motto of Franklin’s “Historical Review,” 1759, appearing also in the body of the work.—Frothingham: Rise of the Republic of the United States, p. 413. |
© by Herbert Huber, Am Fröschlanger 15, 83512 Wasserburg, Germany, 24.3.2004