The Private Correspondence of Benjamin Franklin ...: pt.I. Letters on miscellaneous subjects

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H. Colburn, 1818

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Side 111 - ... and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to his nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this injustice he is never in good case, but, like those among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor, and often very lousy.
Side 228 - God grant, that not only the love of liberty, but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man, may pervade all the nations of the earth ; so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface, and say, This is my country...
Side 20 - The rapid progress true science now makes, occasions my regretting sometimes that I was born so soon : it is impossible to imagine the height to which may be carried in a thousand years, the power of man over matter...
Side 241 - Divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless -to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble. I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequence, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and...
Side 255 - I fancy that intriguing nation would like very well to meddle on occasion, and blow up the coals between Britain and her colonies; but I hope we shall give them no opportunity.
Side xviii - Be studious in your profession, and you will be learned. Be industrious and frugal, and you will be rich. Be sober and temperate, and you will be healthy. Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy. At least, you will, by such conduct, stand the best chance for such consequences.
Side 111 - ... for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him. With all this injustice, he is never in good case but like those among men who live by sharping and robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank coward: the little king bird not bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district.
Side 374 - Britain, at the expense of three millions, has killed one hundred and fifty Yankees this campaign, which is twenty thousand pounds a head; and at Bunker's Hill she gained a mile of ground, half of which she lost again by our taking post on Ploughed Hill. During the same time sixty thousand children have been born in America. From this data his mathematical head will easily calculate the time and expense necessary to kill us all, and conquer our whole territory.
Side xix - When those difficult cases occur, they are difficult, chiefly because, while we have them under consideration, all the reasons pro and con are not present to the mind at the same time ; but sometimes one set present themselves, and at other times another, the first being out of sight Hence the various purposes or inclinations that alternately prevail, and the uncertainty that perplexes us.
Side 120 - ... 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.