Poor Richard’s Almanack Poor Richard’s Almanack, written and compiled by Benjamin Franklin, under the pseudonym Richard Saunders, “proved to be one of the most popular almanacs in the American colonies” (Morgan). Embodying aspects such as ideas and names from the works of contemporary almanacs published in England (McMaster 101), Franklin created a unique piece of literature that was both analytical and entertaining. Almanacs offered an exceptional way for information to be spread because they were the best-selling, most widely spread publications of their time. Poor Richards Almanack enticed American colonists with wise proverbs while educating them intellectually, guiding them spiritually, and establishing a value system for the developing
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Franklin was known for incorporating a strong sense of morality in his almanac. “Franklin in the intense moralism of his almanac . . . included a heavy dose of . . . proverbs on obedience, chastity, humility . . . and so forth” (Pencak 186). Morality supplied the colonists with an internal compass, pointing them in the right direction. In opposition to a staunch ethicality they were used to as enforced by societies in England, Franklin taught Americans how to discern for themselves right verses wrong. Not only did this unite Americans with high moral standards but it gave them a more defined sense of what they would, and would not tolerate in the years to come regarding the ever tighter controlling grasp of …show more content…
Along with promoting virtue, many proverbs accentuated Franklin’s firm detestation of the idle rich. His ideal was the common man who rose to prominence with great effort rather than aimlessly resting in place (Pencak 186). This also became a significant public view that would later assist in the revolt against England. “Besides urging us to be virtuous, diligent, and frugal . . . [Franklin] proclaimed the superiority of . . . and urged common men to assume roles in the ‘public sphere’ and shape their own destinies” (Pencak 183). By instilling in Americans that having a vigorous work ethic was the norm it greatly heightened the colonies ability to work together and conquer a well-established opposing
Franklin was known for incorporating a strong sense of morality in his almanac. “Franklin in the intense moralism of his almanac . . . included a heavy dose of . . . proverbs on obedience, chastity, humility . . . and so forth” (Pencak 186). Morality supplied the colonists with an internal compass, pointing them in the right direction. In opposition to a staunch ethicality they were used to as enforced by societies in England, Franklin taught Americans how to discern for themselves right verses wrong. Not only did this unite Americans with high moral standards but it gave them a more defined sense of what they would, and would not tolerate in the years to come regarding the ever tighter controlling grasp of …show more content…
Along with promoting virtue, many proverbs accentuated Franklin’s firm detestation of the idle rich. His ideal was the common man who rose to prominence with great effort rather than aimlessly resting in place (Pencak 186). This also became a significant public view that would later assist in the revolt against England. “Besides urging us to be virtuous, diligent, and frugal . . . [Franklin] proclaimed the superiority of . . . and urged common men to assume roles in the ‘public sphere’ and shape their own destinies” (Pencak 183). By instilling in Americans that having a vigorous work ethic was the norm it greatly heightened the colonies ability to work together and conquer a well-established opposing