Comments on: Happy 303rd Birthday, Benjamin Franklin!

By: dp

dp — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 23:11:58 +0000

“Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.” –That wasn’t Benjamin Franklin. It’s from Ethics of Our Fathers. The original saying is from two thousand years ago. A Jewish scholar, Ben Zoma (ben means son of–that is his last name) said, “Who is rich? He who is happy with what he has.” And he’s quoted in the book Ethics of Our Fathers (4:1).
Thank you.

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By: TuxGirl

TuxGirl — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 20:39:47 +0000

interestingly, as much as franklin said these maxims, he was not particularly good at living them. from reading John Adams by David McCullough, i learned that franklin not only failed to live by his “early to bed, early to rise” maxim, but also was quite the spender, especially during the time that he lived in france…

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By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:07:29 +0000

Happy belated birthday Ben!

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By: Mother Necessity

Mother Necessity — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:52:14 +0000

Great post! Ben Franklin was truly a remarkable person. National Thrift Week was so intriguing that I looked into it more and wrote about it on my own blog. I thought it was a new thing, what with all the financial disasters flying around, but it started in 1916. Thanks for all the useful information.

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By: The Debt Guy

The Debt Guy — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 16:55:27 +0000

As I have attempted to become more thrifty and frugal, I have come across more and more of Benjamin Franklins works. Thank you for the helpful links!

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By: PizzaForADream.com

PizzaForADream.com — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 08:36:40 +0000

Franklin was a true renaissance man! His wit and wisdom is as important today as it ever was. Much can be learned from the man.

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By: Todd V

Todd V — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 06:03:20 +0000

Ben was right. Don’t borrow money. He didn’t say “don’t borrow money except for…” Don’t get me wrong, when I buy a home a few months from now I will do so on with a mortgage. But that’s it. It is not okay to borrow money for anything except that. Not for education, a car, or a business. Work hard. After you do that the rest will come. Stop whining. Start working.

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By: Educated Jew

Educated Jew — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:29:21 +0000

Steve, I strongly doubt that Franklin got it from the original Hebrew. It’s more likely he got it from a course that got it from a source that..etc.

As for the magic squares, Franklin did not get it from Hebrew. What you’re thinking of is the idea that magic squares were introduced to Europe by Abraham ibn Ezra, the Jewish exegete. His, in Hebrew numerals, are the first known in Europe. Ibn Ezra likely got it via Muslim connections.

(Franklin is a hero of mine; I’ve read many books on him, including one about his magic squares).

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By: Steve Austin

Steve Austin — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 02:23:13 +0000

Why would Ben know Hebrew…
Hmmm – He was a freemason and many of the were/are into Kabala(spelling?) Maybe that is why he had knowledge of the Hebrew language and writings. He sorta hints at it in his autobiography when he talks about getting a book from someone with curious squares (magic squares).
My 2 cents, maybe you have a different take.

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By: J.D.

J.D. — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:52:06 +0000

Franklin “cribbed” a lot of his maxims from other sources, including a newspaper then being published in London. Copyright was not quite so militant then as it is now. (As a writer, I’m all for copyright, but the current laws are absurd.)

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By: jeff

jeff — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:49:21 +0000

What’s funny about the early to be and early to rise makes you wise quote is that Franklin routinely went to bed in the early hours of the morning and usually got up around noon!

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By: Funny about Money

Funny about Money — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:33:24 +0000

This is good, very good. Thanks!

I wonder how Ben Franklin came across the Hebrew saying. Some of the founding fathers actually could read Hebrew, from what I understand. Amazing, eh? Would that modern-day Americans could have several languages.

National Thrift Week? Isn’t that un-American?

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By: Educated Jew

Educated Jew — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:30:56 +0000

Slightly more modern translation here:
http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/2032/jewish/Chapter-Four.htm

It’s full of wise sayings.

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By: Educated Jew

Educated Jew — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:28:49 +0000

You can find it in translation here (with a slightly different translation):
http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/sjf/sjf06.htm
http://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/sjf/

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By: Educated Jew

Educated Jew — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:26:29 +0000

“Who is rich? He that rejoices in his portion.”

That’s not originally from Ben Franklin. It’s from the Jewish book Ethics of the Fathers, written about 2000 years ago:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirkei_Avoth

In the original Hebrew, it is “Aizehu ashir? Ha’some’ach b’khelko.”

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By: HIB

HIB — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:24:33 +0000

Thanks for the great info! Looks like I have some reading to do!
Cheers!
-HIB

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By: Aman@BullsBattleBears

Aman@BullsBattleBears — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 00:06:19 +0000

wow, I didnt know those quotes were linked to Ben, learned something new….and I agree, his face should be on every loan contract to remind before of their financial obligations and responsibilities.

Happy Birthday Ben!

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By: Leslie

Leslie — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:50:57 +0000

Well…I learned a new word today. I had never heard the term Polymath before so I appreciate the link.

Now…off to reserve the Walter Isaacson Biography from my library…

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By: Dorothy Suter

Dorothy Suter — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 21:36:44 +0000

Yes, the Walter Isaacson biography is fascinating. I especially needed the reminder today, that it is in the little things that make me feel “rich.” Appreciating what I have is so important!

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By: Chance

Chance — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 19:08:05 +0000

I just finished his autobiography – absolutely fascinating. Thanks for sharing his quotes.

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By: Dan Isaacs

Dan Isaacs — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 18:19:20 +0000

I too am a long time fan of Ben. though not until today were the dots connected for me between personal finance and his contributions. I’ve long adored him as a statesman, as a scientist, and general rabble-rouser.

If you have an interest in America, Walter Isaacson’s Biography of Benjamin Franklin is something you ought to check out from your local library.

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By: Mrs. Accountability

Mrs. Accountability — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:53:12 +0000

I am going to have to read this book, I love these sayings!!! I remember when I had more time, I really did feel much richer!!

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By: Atticus

Atticus — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 16:53:40 +0000

Thanks for linking to the definition of felicity. If time is money, you just made me a little richer.

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By: Amber Jones

Amber Jones — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:47:43 +0000

I really like this one: “Beware of little expenses — a small leak will sink a great ship.”“Beware of little expenses — a small leak will sink a great ship.”

It makes me think of how you may have small things that you buy, unfortunately, those small things add up and can put a huge dent in your budget, and any goals you may have.

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By: the weakonomist

the weakonomist — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:41:12 +0000

Ben shouldn’t be on the $100 bill. His face should be on every loan contract that isn’t for a house, business, or car.

He’ll have a big frown on his face and be saying your quote from above “He that goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing”

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By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 17 Jan 2009 15:07:37 +0000

Finally! I sent you an email months ago wishing for some Ben Franklin love! You can’t have a blog about frugality and not talk about my homeboy BF.

For those of you who have not read his autobiography, I highly recommend it. It is suprisingly very easy to read and is full of hilarious and insightful comments

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