Category Archives: Founding Fathers

Benjamin Franklin and Words

Posted on by May 8, 2016

Mark_Twain_by_AF_BradleyAs you know, Benjamin Franklin was a printer since his early days when he was apprenticed to his brother, James. He eventually moved on from Boston to Philadelphia, where he became a very successful printer with his own company.

Because he was a printer, he was also an avid reader, even though he had a rudimentary education. His access to books helped him become a leader in the City, then the State, then throughout the Colonies, then in England and France, and finally at the Constitutional Convention. read more

George Washington’s Perseverance

Posted on by May 6, 2016

GeorgeWashingtonWashington was well known for sticking to a task that he had undertaken. He couldn’t be shaken from doing his duty, or fulfilling his promise.

After he had fought in the French and Indian War, served in the Virginia House of Burgesses, Served as Commander in Chief of the United Colonial Armies until he won the War, served as President of the Constitutional Convention, was unanimously elected, not once but twice as the President of the new United States of America, he finally wanted to return home to Mount Vernon to live out his life. The country wanted him to serve a third term as President, but he finally declined a job! He truly had served enough!! read more

The Tact of the Founding Fathers

Posted on by May 5, 2016

“So be sure when you step,
step with care and great TACT.
And remember that life’s
A great balancing act.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will indeed!
–Dr. Seuss

Abraham_Lincoln_2“Tact is the ability to see others as they see themselves.”
–Abraham Lincoln

“So you’ve got a problem? That’s good. Why? Because repeated victories over your problems are the rungs on your ladder to success With each victory you grow in wisdom, stature, and experience. You become a bigger, better, more successful person each time you meet a problem and tackle and conquer it with a positive mental attitude.”
–W. Clement Stone read more

George Washington Didn’t Quit

Posted on by May 4, 2016

GeorgeWashingtonOne thing that the British are certain about is that General George Washington never quit. No matter how difficult the challenge, or how bad the weather, or how small the number of recruits, George carried on. He was after all the unanimously appointed Commander in Chief of the United Colonial Army.

He carried on courageously until Yorktown when he became the ultimate winner. What a war. But he still wasn’t finished.

I just read a story about another person who would quit. For some reason it made me think of all Washington had to endure. read more

Franklin as Postmaster—Again!

Posted on by May 3, 2016

Ben FranklinBenjamin Franklin returned from a long, long business trip to London in 1775. He was happy to be home. But not quite as happy as those leaders of the Colonies.

John Hancock, of Boston, was President of the Continental Congress when Ben returned to Philadelphia. Ben was welcomed by his wife, by his friends in Philly, and by Congress, the Continental Congress, where he would become a delegate from Pennsylvania.

But before that John Hancock approached Benjamin Franklin with the news. “Dr. Franklin, we’re giving you your old job back as Postmaster of the Colonies.” read more

Benjamin Franklin and Religion

Posted on by May 2, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureBenjamin Franklin responded to his sister Jane Mecom of Boston in a letter in 1743. Jane was apparently concerned about Ben’s slightly unorthodox view and convictions.

Ben carefully explained his beliefs and stated gently: “There are some things in your New England doctrines and worship, which I do not agree with, but I do not therefore condemn them, or desire to shake your belief or practice of them.”

At the age of 37, Ben was a little ahead of his time relating to religious toleration soon to be called Freedom of Religion, because under the U.S. Constitution, First Amendment, we are guaranteed that no Government Religion would be established (Amendment I, December 15, 1791). read more

President Washington’s Last Words

Posted on by May 2, 2016

Earl Warren was born on March 19, 1891. He was appointed by President Dwight Eisenhower to become the 14th Chief Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court in 1953. In law school we read lots of his decisions on cases he adjudicated. He was a learned gentleman and usually kept a copy of the Constitution with him, in his suit pocket or his briefcase. He thought we all should study it. He passed away on July 9, 1974, the year after I graduated from Law School.

As he approached the age of 40, he changed his attitude on growing old. He seemed to be upset at reaching that milestone when an older friend of his tried to cheer him up. The advice from his friend was: “Don’t complain about growing old—many people don’t have that privilege!” read more

Benjamin Franklin’s Humility

Posted on by April 30, 2016

Ben FranklinIn Benjamin Franklin’s Project for Moral Perfection he listed 13 characteristics that he wanted to improve during his lifetime. Yes, he wanted to become perfect. He had trouble with one of them and said:

“My list of virtues contain’d at first but twelve, but a Quaker friend having kindly informed me that I was generally thought Proud; that my pride show’d itself frequently in conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any point, but was overbearing, and rather insolent, of which he convinc’e me by mentioning several instances; I determined endeavoring to cure myself, if I could, of this vice or folly among the rest and I added humility to the rest.” read more

All Things Benjamin Franklin

Posted on by April 29, 2016

Ben Franklin thumb pictureIn Ben’s Project for Moral Perfection, he listed the third principle, “Order” as possibly the hardest of men’s shortcomings to overcome or be perfect in. He defined it as “Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”

He worked on this character trait judiciously for all his life, but once compared it to shining an ax to be brilliant while turning it on a grinding wheel. This gave him more trouble than most of his other character traits in his program to achieve perfection. read more

Lighten Up Says George!

Posted on by April 28, 2016

“Why did the cat fall into the well?”

“I don’t know, why?”

“Because he couldn’t see that well!”

Dana Perino, Fox Five

Just thought you’d enjoy that!      GW Rules

“Just hoping you’re smiling,
delighted, content . . . .
And totally happy,

One hundred percent!”

Dr. Suess

SMILE!!

“If you Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put your Handkerchief or Hand before your face and turn aside.” George Washington’s Rules of Civility. read more