HAPPY 300TH BIRTHDAY, BEN!!

Can you believe Ben is 300?? He doesn't look a day over 75! I wonder what is his secret to looking so spry at his age?

Today marks the 300th birthday of one of the most extraordinary human beings to have graced this planet.  A scholar, statesman, inventor, writer, musician, international celebrity...genius. Centuries later his wisdom resounds, as seen in this quote from one of my favorite writings by Franklin.

'Friends', says he, 'the taxes are, indeed, very heavy; and, if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more eaily dischard them; but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly; and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us, by allowing an abatement. However, let us harken to good advice and something may be done for us; 'God helps them that helps themselves', as Poor Richard says. ~ The Way to Wealth

Oh, did I mention he was also an incorrigible flirt, I adore this side of Franklin that is not often revealed:

"If that Lady likes to pass he Days with him, he inturn would like to pass his Nights with her; & as he already given her many of his days, though he has so few left to give, she appears ungrateful never to have given him a single one of her nights.

Ben Franklin to Madame Helvetius, September 19th, 1779