Fun With Insomnia Blog

Historical Humour For 4th July

Some Amusing, Funny and Thought Provoking Quotations of Benjamin Franklin 󞥙-1790]
In the great tradition of American humour, the title of “First American Humorist” rightfully belongs to Benjamin Franklin. He was the beginning of a long line of writers who created a uniquely American form of humour filled with clever wit, folksy wisdom, and a generous portion of irreverence.

In his Poor Richard’s Almanac, Franklin wrote many clever sayings which are still part of our cultural heritage today. At 26, Franklin published the first edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac under the pseudonym Richard Saunders.

Remember that time is money.
A little neglect may breed mischief: 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.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Any fool can criticise, condemn and complain and most fools do.
Early to bed, early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
Fish and visitors smell in three days.
Genius without education is like silver in the mine.
God helps them that help themselves.
Haste makes waste.
Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade?
It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.
Little strokes fell great oaks.
Never leave that till to-morrow which you can do to-day.
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.
Well done is better than well said.
In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.
There never was a good war nor a bad peace.
Never contradict anybody.
Ben Franklin experts question whether, in fact, he wrote all his humorous lines. Some believe he researched them and revamped them into his own inimitable style. Whatever the truth Will and Guy are certain that they are witty.

Above cartoon by Jeff Parker

Ben Franklin Tells Us How To Be Seen As A Person With A Brain And A Social Wit

Dr Benjamin Franklin was not really a doctor; his title Doctor was one of those first honorariums given a man of great achievement and reflects the impact he had on his age.

Here are seven ways Benjamin Franklin would suggest you consider to be seen as one with a brain and a social wit.

Elevate, not desecrate. Never use cutting humour, dissect theirs.
Keep your humour light, fun, open to participation.
Reflect your humour to show you row your own boat.
You row merrily, and you attract others to you.
As you deflect bitterness, fear, answers appear.
Your summary encapsulates the situation and hints that the best way out may be to back up to where we went wrong, once we all clearly agree what that was.
Elevate, even exaggerate, achievement. Mock an obvious folly but with a twist. If attacked, return their volley as a mirror.
Will and Guy’s Selection of Five of the Best and Their Favourite Quotations

Where there’s marriage without love, there will be love without marriage.
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.
Some are weather-wise, some are otherwise.
Benjamin Franklin is held in high esteem in the USA as is indicated by his appearance on the largest note: $100 bill.

Merry Christmas to ALL