This list
came to my attention from the fabulous book Lists of Note. It was
compiled by Thomas Jefferson as advice for a young man. He called it A Decalogue of Canons for Observation in Practical Life. It may have been written in 1825 but it
strikes me as pretty apposite to today!
- Never put off till to-morrow what you can do to-day.
- Never trouble another for what you can do yourself.
- Never spend your money before you have it.
- Never buy what you do not want, because it is cheap; it will be dear to you.
- Pride costs us more than hunger, thirst and cold.
- We never repent of having eaten too little.
- Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly.
- How much pain have cost us the evils which have never happened.
- Take things always by their smooth handle.
- When angry, count ten, before you speak; if very angry, an hundred.
Hi, Carole,
ReplyDeleteI remember these from when I went to elementary school in New York. We also had to memorize a lot of Ben Franklin's sayings. Proverbs were part of our English studies. Yes, they are still good ideas for today!
Good advice for all of us.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice. I read through the list and thought yup, yup, yup. All true and all things I should do more.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog even though I was ranting and feeling sorry about myself and the few comments I get on my blog posts. You mentioned joining smaller link-ups where you can form loyal followers. Can you make some suggestions? It seems like the big link-ups like Top Ten Tuesday gets a lot of traffic but not really loyal readers. Obviously Friday 56 and Book Beginnings is hit or miss. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.