AN EPITAPH
The Body of Benjamin Franklin,
Printer
(Like the cover of an old book,
Its contents torn out
And stripped of its lettering and gilding)
Lies here food for worms.
Yet the work itself shall not be lost,
For it will (as he believes) appear once more
In a new
 And more beautiful Edition

Corrected and Amended
By
The Author

Ben Franklin invents "Pay It Forward"

I send you herewith a bill for ten louis d'ors. I do not pretend to give such a sum; I only lend it to you. When you shall return to your country with a good character, you cannot fail of getting into some business, that will in time enable you to pay all your debts. In that case, when you meet with another honest man in similar distress, you must pay me by lending this sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with such another opportunity. I hope it may thus go through many hands, before it meets with a knave that will stop its progress. This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money. I am not rich enough to afford much in good works, and so am obliged to be cunning and make the most of a little.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

time

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S TOAST

            First published in 1797

At the conclusion of the war, Dr. Franklin, the English Ambassador, and the French Minister, Vergennes, dining together at Versailles, a toast from each was called for and agreed to.

The British Minister began with: "George the Third, who, like the sun in its meridian,  spreads a luster throughout and enlightens the world."

 The French Minister followed with:  "The illustrious Louis XVI, who, like the moon, sheds his mild and benignant rays on and influences the globe."

 Our American Franklin then gave: "George Washington, Commander of the American armies, who, like Joshua of old, commanded the sun and  the moon to stand still, and they obeyed him.”