POOR RICHARD’S SAYINGS.

God helps them that help themselves.

The sleeping fox catches no poultry.

What we call time enough always proves little enough.

Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy.

Drive thy business, let not that drive thee.

Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Industry needs not wish.

He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

He that hath a trade hath an estate, and he that hath a calling hath an office of profit and honor.

Have you somewhat to do to-morrow, do it to-day.

God gives all things to industry: then plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you will have corn to sell and to keep.

Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee.

If you would have your business done, go; if not, send.

He that by the plough would thrive,

Himself must either hold or drive.

Silks and satins, scarlet and velvets put out the kitchen fire.

For want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost.

Many a little makes a mickle.

Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them.

Wise men learn by others’ harms, fools scarcely by their own.

When the well is dry they know the worth of water.

Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy.

A little neglect may breed great mischief.

Vessels large may venture more,

But little boats should keep near shore.

What is a butterfly? at best

He’s but a caterpillar drest;

The gaudy fop’s his picture just.

For age and want save while you may.

No morning sun lasts a whole day.

Rather go to bed supperless than rise in debt.

Get what you can, and what you get, hold, ’Tis the stone that will turn all your lead into gold.

Experience keeps a dear school; but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that; for it is true we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.

The key, often used, is always bright.

But dost thou love life? then do not waste time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.

Lost time is never found again.

There are no gains without pains.

At the workingman’s house hunger looks in, but dares not enter.

Diligence is the mother of good luck.

The cat in gloves catches no mice.

By industry and patience the mouse ate into the cable.

Since thou art not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.

A workingman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees.

It is folly for the frog to swell in order to equal the ox.

It is easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel.

A fool and his money are soon parted.

Troubles spring from idleness, and grievous toils from needless ease.

If you would be wealthy think of saving as well as of getting.

  1. From “Along the Way,” copyright 1879 by Mary Mapes Dodge, and published by Chas. Scribner’s Sons. [Return]
  2. From “Love Songs of Childhood.” Copyright, 1894, by Eugene Field. Reprinted by permission of the publishers, Chas. Scribner’s Sons. [Return]
  3. From “The Complete Poetical Writings of J. G. Holland,” copyright 1879-1881 by Charles Scribner’s Sons. [Return]
  4. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  5. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  6. All rights reserved. [Return]
  7. From “Love Songs of Childhood.” Copyright, 1894, by Eugene Field. Reprinted by permission of the publishers, Chas. Scribner’s Sons. [Return]
  8. From “Love Songs of Childhood.” Copyright, 1894, by Eugene Field. Reprinted by permission of the publishers, Chas. Scribner’s & Sons. [Return]
  9. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  10. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  11. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  12. From “Afterwhiles,” copyrighted 1887, by Bowen-Merrill Co. Must not be reprinted without permission from the publishers. [Return]
  13. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  14. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  15. By permission from Edwin Markham’s “Joy of the Hills and Other Poems,” copyright by Doubleday & McClure, New York. [Return]
  16. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  17. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  18. In a recent critical article, in the London Athenæum is the sentence: “In point of power, workmanship and feeling, among all the poems written by Americans, we are inclined to give first place to the ‘Port of Ships’ (or ‘Columbus’) by Joaquin Miller.” [Return]
  19. bards, ancient poets. [Return]
  20. benediction, blessing. [Return]
  21. Boston. [Return]
  22. Charlestown. [Return]
  23. grenadiers, British soldiers. [Return]
  24. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  25. Copyrighted by Doubleday & McClure. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  26. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  27. From “Afterwhiles,” copyrighted 1887, by Bowen-Merrill Co. Must not be reprinted without permission from the publishers. [Return]
  28. mimic, copies (toys). [Return]
  29. encumbered, burdened. [Return]
  30. Aquarius, water-bearer. [Return]
  31. seer, prophet, wise man. [Return]
  32. From “The Complete Poetical Writings Of J. G. Holland,” copyright 1879-1881 by Charles Scribner’s Sons. [Return]
  33. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  34. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]
  35. Copyrighted by Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Reprinted by permission of the publishers. [Return]