Bite-Size Franklin: Wit & Wisdom from a Founding Father

by Benjamin Franklin, Karin Baji, John P. Holms

Contains quotations from the famous statesman on such topics as art and music, fame, industry and merit, money, and time

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Classics, American History, Politics, Humor

96 pages, Hardcover

First published November 30, 1948

About the author

Benjamin Franklin was a writer, a philosopher, a scientist, a politician, a patriot, a Founding Father, an inventor, and publisher. He helped with the founding of the United States of America and changed the world with his discoveries about electricity. His writings such as Poor Richards' Almanac have provided wisdom for 17 years to the colonies.

Reviews

[J9 · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Wit and Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin was erratic at best. Tidbits taken from Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanac" are splattered throughout the book and they range from enlightening snippets such as:

"He's a fool that cannot conceal his wisdom."

to mundane sayings bordering on obtuse such as:

"If your head is wax, don't walk in the sun."

Overall this has some interesting thoughts I found amusing but didn't think it was worth the read in the end. What it did do for me was make me want to read Poor Richard's Almanac. If you're considering picking this up to get a feel for Franklin, don't bother. Just skip to the real thing.

ClassicsDefined.com

[J.L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Mostly) words of wisdom still relevant today.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short/Easy read. just like the book says..full of Wit and Wisdom from Benjamin Franklin.

[Geo Hendrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this little book of quotes from my grandfather It is quotes from "Poor Richards Says" I don't get many of the quotes but I love the book and love the notes my grandfather put in the book.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came across this book in my local library and have finished it within 30min without buying it. Benjamin Franklin lays each morsel of wisdom blended with a dash of irony. He used Shakespeare’s pronouns which I found a bit annoying. Here is a glimpse of wisdom, casted the irony aside to not spoil the book for you.
- Fish and Visitors stink after three days
- A traveller should have a Hog’s nose, a deer’s leg and an Ass’s back
- Great good nature, without prudence is a great misfortune
- Late children, early orphans
- Anger and folly walk cheek by jowl, repentance treads on both their heels.
- The traveller that is struck by lightning, seldom gets home to tell his widow
- In marriage without love, there will be love without marriage
- The tongue offends and the ears get the cuffing
- great talkers, little doers
- The proof of gold is fire, the proof of woman, gold. The proof of man, a women

[Lindsay McCluskey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Found this in the back of my moms crusty bookshelf. Made me feel smart for the most part. Also gave me a massive headache. I had to use every brain cell that I have to decipher what was going on but I eventually figured it out. Pretty good for being so old and out of date.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Wit & Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Franklin - The founding fathers may not have trusted him to keep jokes out of the final copy of important documents, but we still appreciate his one liners today! Happy Reading!

[holland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seemed a bit like a miss-matched scrapbook but some good quotes

[Tom Killeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is pretty repetitious and flimsy. Not Ben's fault,just the folks that slapped this together,

[Caltin Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahead of his time. I'll be reading this over and over.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quote resource. The man is always inspiring.

[JJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few interested quote and a lot I just didn't get inspiration from. At least it was super short.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was fun to read the witticisms ascribed to this man, even if he admittedly did not coin all the phrases.

[Albert Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book of quotes

Good time killer and great pondering, and fun. Clearly Ben Franklin had a sense of humor. It was in public domain so the price was great.

[Sam Kauffman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent collection of truisms. Fine for a quick read to make that Goodreads annual goal!

[Michelle Alley · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun read with more than a few quotes and, of couse Benjamin Franklin's Wisdom..."If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten. Either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing." I think he's accomplised just this!

[Val · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather eccentric and erratic compilation.....all over the place. Love Ben Franklin but this volume is disconnected at best. Mainly checked it out to expose my young adult reader to Franklin, so I think it will work out for that. It is like a scrapbook of Franklin.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting little bits of wisdom.

[Dick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read - short book - but his quotes on both humor and wisdom are timeless.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Founding Father who greatly shaped our country. Witty.

[John Sorensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

See book index for a list of the quotes I liked.

[Shere · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing, interesting, and insightful! A must read!

[Emily Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite books. It's a lovely little coffee table book; short, sweet, and to the point. He has a lot of zinger-quotes; words I try to live by.

[Robert Paulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful!

Very wise, & I like the way you used the same grammar as they did. A simply wise book. Very wise.

[Monte Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

What's not to love about the sayings from Poor Richard's Almanac? This is a listing of many of his best sayings and they always produce a laugh

[Carole Skees · Rating 4 out of 5]

Timeless words to live by.

[Christopher Brehm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I love sarcasm and Benjamin Franklin was a master.