Benjamin Franklin Quotation |
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In an Aesop fable, Hercules the Strong said to a petitioner who wasn't trying hard enough, "Man, don't sprawl there. Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel. The gods help them that help themselves." Benjamin Franklin's adaptation, "God helps them that helps themselves" appeared in 1757 in Poor Richard's Almanac. His quotes center around thrift, industry and frugality. They all speak to the spirit of enterprise, honesty, and democracy. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was a brilliant man who contributed to America's early history as a scientist, inventor, statesman, printer, philosopher, musician and economist. While he is best known in American history for his contributions to the success of the American revolution, his contributions in each area was at a significant level. He was the first scientist to study and map the Gulf Stream, he invented bifocals and the Franklin stove, swim fins, the glass armonica (a musical instrument) that appealed to Beethoven and Mozart so much, they wrote music for it. He was an early and innovative printer, created the first circulating library, established the first fire insurance company in America, and in general, advanced the thinking in whatever situation he was involved. In 1729, Franklin bought the Pennsylvania Gazette and turned it into an informative and popular paper. He was the first to publish cartoons and maps to illustrate his articles. His wit became widely know in this venture and he expanded his popular reach with the creation of Poor Richard's Almanac. Under the name Richard Saunders, Franklin launched the first edition in 1732 and it ran until 1757. It was a best seller and more popular than any of his newspapers. He published his political opinions to draw support, and of course, he applied his wise and witty sayings. Although it is common to cite Franklin as the author of these sayings, many were taken from other sources, such as this one, and modified into Franklin's Yankee version. Franklin seems further unique in that he appeared to have lived his productive life by the principles he publicly espoused. Franklin stands alone as the only person to have signed all four of the documents which helped to create the United States: the Declaration of Independence (1776), the Treaty of Alliance, Amity, and Commerce with France (1778), the Treaty of Peace between England, France and the Unites States (1782), and the Constitution (1787). No individual was more involved in the birth of the nation than Benjamin Franklin. Medium : 1 photographic print : color Published : 1962 Creator : David Martin, artist, 1737-1797 Frame : 1" walnut with gold lip, Size : 13 x 17 1/4" The image is housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress Price: $110.00 Availability: Usually ships in one week Product #: FR0099 |
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