Almanac and almanack are both English terms. Almanac is predominantly used in 🇺🇸 American English while almanack is predominantly used in 🇬🇧 British English.

Poor Richard's Almanac

1. Watch these two linked videos for background information on Ben Franklin's publications:

   1. Video 1

   2. Video 2

2. Use this link to read through a compiled list of aphorisms from many editions of Poor Richard's Almanac (starting on page 13 of the PDF) This link isn't working currently, sorry!

3. Use this link to read through a PDF version of Poor Richard's Almanac from 1758 (pages 2 - 5 are the preface)

4. Use this PDF to see all the versions of Poor Richard's Almanack - 1733 - 1758

5. Choose 3 aphorisms to "translate" into modern words or restate in your own words (you can choose from any 3 of those linked documents). Create one separate post for each. Make sure you include (copy & paste) the original text in your post.

6. Make sure your name is on your posts so that you get credit!

Translation: Just because a person is quiet does not necessarily mean they're wise, but someone who doesn't stop talking is definitely a fool.

Translation: Be grateful for the good things in life, instead of focusing on the hardships and difficulties. Count your blessings.

Translation: No matter how many ways you try, you may never find an answer.

Translation: Even when you are having a rough day full of work, you will be able to enjoy the next day.

Translation: Adults tend to still desire "toys," they just happen to cost a whole lot more. They might want the newest technology or product, like a child might want the newest action figure or play set.

Translation: Choose forgiveness above violence and revenge, for love reigns over hate and cruelty always.

Tranlation: It's harder to go around living a lie then it is to live the truth.

Translation: When you chose to fight instead of talk things out, you will gain a bad reputation and a life of loneliness.

Translation: Although someone might be quiet or kind, they can be just are mean as they are kind.

If you want an easy life, do the necessary things and don't act on impulse.

A physical public slip-up is much easier to recover from than one of your words.

There is a balance between being serious and obnoxious. Aim to be intelligent, but not arrogant, while maintaining a sense of humor without becoming follish.

Translation: Eat just what you have to, don't be greedy and stuff yourself just because you want to

Translation: You cannot get anything good out of life without having your failures as well.

Translation: If you are truly hungry, you won't mind what kind of food goes into your mouth.

Translation: Even if you live long, you might not be satisfied if you didn't live a successful life. However, if you accomplish something important to you, even if you die young, you'll be satisfied with what you did in life.

Translation: Anger is a common emotion, and there always is a cause for it. However, there is rarely a good reason for it.

Translation: If you're content with what you have (even if you're poor), you'll be rich since you do not long for more. If you're not content but have everything you could ever want, you're poor since you can't be grateful for what you have.

Translation: A true friend is a close companion, so one must choose friends carefully. If you wish to abandon a friendship, do not do so right away; try to resolve it before moving on, if you must.

Translation: This actually could have two translations, depending on how you look at it.

1. Think about and consider a gift before you give it, or may give something of more value than you mean to.

2. When asked, give as soon as possible, and the gift will mean more to the recipient

You decide which to believe.

Translation: A long life is no good if you do not live it well, and make something of it. Try to leave a mark before you go, because it'll happen eventually, buddy. Often sooner than you prefer.

That got dark fast...

Translation: Choose to steer away from gossip and avoid talking bad about others.

Translation: The people you hang out with will make a difference in the person you become.

Translation: If you are kind to others instead of rude, people will like you more.

Translation: If you expect a reward suffering becomes easier to bear.

Translation: Nothing is sweeter and better than Money

Translation: Being a bad influence will negatively affect the people around you.

This means you shouldn't keep your talents, abilities, or good qualities hidden. Everyone has skills and should not be afraid to use them.

Translation: if you are afraid to do wrong or harm, then you do not need to fear anything else in life. If you avoid doing harm and act with integrity, you will be free from the anxieties and dangers that come with wrongdoing.

Translation: The bishop and chancellor of England, William of Wykeham said "Manners maketh man," knowing that a rich man without manners does not differ from a beggar. Financial stability can provide certain privileges, but it's the combination of that wealth with good manners, respect, and etiquette that truly defines a refined and honorable person.

Translation: Being right is not a folly, being right and then to gasconade, is to ameliorate your objectors position.

Translation: At an early age what you want to do will control your life, at mid-age, your wisdom, and at an old age, the consequences of everything you did in your early age and mid-age.

Translation: A life, like a bag, without a solid purpose is a life unstable.

Translation: An honest person knows that the riches of the world he doesn't deserve; though he not ask for it, he deserves an eternal reward.

Translation: Most of our wishes, like money, will hurt us more than benefit us. We should rethink what we want and be thankful for what we have.

Translation: We should use the talents that we have. Why would our talents be useful if we don't use them?

Translation: It is better to do something good than to just say that you are going to do it.

Translation: A common person trying to win in the court of law against two lawyers is as easy, for the lawyers, as two cats taking out a fish on land.

Translation: If a lawyer is good enough at his job then in common life he will couse problems for the people around him, due to the amount of common laws being broken constantly.

Translation: Be careful, who you are friends with, because if you spend time with them then their actions with you rub off on you. Be as careful as passable when changing friends because it is hard to not burn bridges and keep up relations with both especially if they have crossing opinions.

Translation: If you wait and not work hard, you will not get what you are hoping to get.

If you wait for money to just come to you, you're never going to get it unless you put in the work yourself.

Translation: You have to enjoy your life. If you're just waiting to live long and not really enjoying your life, it's better to do the things you love, be with the people you love, and feel good in the present moment.

Translation: Always be grateful and remember the times when you were happy or something good happened. Focus on the positive and not so much on the negative.

Translation: Its better to do it right now they save it for tomorrow.

Translation: No matter what challenges come you way you have to continue doing the work that youve been doing.

Translation: Sleep is very important to and can help make you smart.

Translation: Don't Put yourself in a position that will end badly.

Translation: An enemy will not find out a secret if a secret is not told to a friend. In other words, if you want to keep something secret, don't tell anyone not even a friend.

Translation: Wish for a good life and not to live long.

Translation: One day of hard work now is worth two days of easy work later.

Translation: Beware of spending small amounts frequently. A small portion of money can quickly spiral and destroy your bank account.

Translation: People always have a reason to be angry. However, their anger is usually misdirected and/or underserved.

Translation: Those who talk a lot usually don't do much work.

Translation: A really smart person is very valuable to his country. (he could be talking about himself)

Translation: Those who won't listen to others shouldn't be able to command others.

Translation: What opportunities we fail to do now, we will not always be able to do in the future

"Wish not so much to live long, as to live well."

Translation: Live your life to the fullest

"Well done is better than well said."

Translation: Don't tell someone show them, actions mean more than words

great ones break through before your eyes."

Translation: Only good criminals are caught. Ones who have more on the line, great criminals, are not. And it's much more often for the law to punish smaller criminals.

Translation: Be cautious when spending small amounts of money regularly. A small fraction of money can make you become penniless in a short amount of time.

Translation: Going too quickly and speeding through things will often ruin them.

Do what you ought, and not what you please."

Translation: Do what you have to do instead of doing what you want to do.

Translation: If you know doing something will harm you don't do it.

Translation: If you have kids later in life, the sooner you'll die, and after your death they still will be young, and will become orphans at a young age.

Translation: On the outside, people may be more opulent, prideful, or stunning, without any generosity. Others facing hardships and pushing through them every day truly have the hidden worth beneath their appearance. Hence, the real worth of a person, their actions, behavior, and motives, actually determines their genuine level of esteem.

Translation: Because people's minds are driven by emotion of the situation and opinion about which actions are best, the entire realistic picture of the setting is often shrouded, partially or completely.

Translation: Before attempting something, reconsider if the goal is reasonable and achievable. Otherwise, you will easily find yourself snatching at nothing.

If you take good care of something that could sustain you, it will sustain you.

one small action can lead to a massive outcome.

You should be kind to everyone, but don't let your guard down so much that people can take advantage of you.

Translation: Nothing good comes in life without a price to pay. Every pro has a matching con.

Translation: Think logically. Don't put yourself in a disadvantageous position when it's unnecessary.

Translation: It's difficult to lie, and can fall apart easily when pushed in the right places. However, the truth is steady and strong.

Translation: If you put in your efforts, it will come back to you in a good way.

Translation: If you are driven to choose any behavior because of vanity and pride, it will only lead to having contempt, or disregard, for yourself and those that are putting that mindset or behavior on you.

Translation: Living a lie is harder than to live the truth, a lie can come crumbling down if pressured or pushed enough. But sometimes, one can adapt to the lie, completely selling it and no one bats an eye.

Translation: Actions speak louder than words. Saying that you will do something is not as important as actually doing it.

Translation: If one can't be patient with other peoples feelings or beliefs, he can't manage his own.

Translation: Make today the best you can make it. Focus on what is happening in the present and not the future because who knows if there will be a tomorrow.

Translation: Fools talk more nonsense and think less, while wise men think more and talk little of intelligence.

Translation: Those who resent everybody, including good people, and those who praise everybody, including evil people, are not bright.

Translation: A man who carries a heavy weight and works more at a young age shall be mature. But when he's older, he'll embody the younghood he missed out on.

Translation: A big project is really just many small projects intertwined.

Translation: You shouldn't hide your talents- share them with the world. Because what's the point of having them if you don't use them?

Translation: A "small" matter can turn into a chain reaction that affects a big thing.

Translation: This quote suggests that true brilliance, when presented within a society, is often overlooked or undervalued, much like a precious metal laying undiscovered within a mine.

Translation: Any enemy you have is not little. If not taken seriously, although they are small, they can cause serious harm.

Translation: "Do not try to pursue two different goals or tasks at the same time with limited resources."

Translation: You will never seem to have enough if you are not content with what you have.

Translation: If you borrow from someone you will regret it later.

Translation: If someone won't listen, then it is impossible to help them.

Translation: People who repeat mistakes are fools.

Translation: When people are forced into a marriage, they often don't love their partner, they love someone else, who they can't marry.

Translation: Since you can't control the things you say, how can you expect to control the things other people say.

Translation: Saving money is just as valuable as earning it. Being frugal, or costing little, helps you keep more of what you have.

Translation: Going to bed early and waking up early leads to better health, financial, success, and increased knowledge.

Translation: People who are good at making excuses usually aren't good at achieving anything meaningful.

Translation: Women and Fire-Light bring life and light to a household and without them there is none.

Translation: by being cautious and slower to trust others, you are more likely to see any likely threats coming and have time to prepare.

Translation: an intelligent person is as valuable as gold.

Translation: Often what people want or wish for would have disastrous consequences and would, in reality, not benefit or help the person at all. So be careful what you wish for.

Translation: We should be wary and always be cautious, because sometimes even when we think we are safe, we are not.

Translation: We should be content with what we have, otherwise we will always be searching for more.

Translation: if we don't take risks we don't gain anything from life good or bad