Public Virtue from Education
“I think also that general virtue is more probably to be expected and obtained from the education of youth than from the exhortation of adult persons; bad habits and vices…
Learning to Serve God, Family, and Country
“[A]n inclination joined with an ability to serve mankind, one’s country, friends and family… should indeed be the great aim and end of all learning.” —Benjamin Franklin, Smyth 2:396 (1749)
Advice About Criticism
"Hereafter, if you should observe on occasion to give your officers and friends a little more praise than is their due, and confess more fault then you can just leave…
The Blessing of Enemies
"As to the friends and enemies you just mention, I have hitherto, thanks to God, had plenty of the former kind; they have been my treasure; and it has perhaps…
The Importance of Right Thinking
"As the happiness or real good of men consists in right action, and right action cannot be produced without right opinion, it behooves us, above all the things in this…
God Delights in our Happiness
"Next to the praise resulting from and due to his [God's] wisdom, I believe he is pleased and delights in the happiness of those he has created; and since without…
God’s Blessings and Care for Us
"That being who give me existence, and through almost threescore years has been continually showering his favor is upon me, whose very chastisements have been blessings to me; can I…
America as an Asylum of Freedom
"We have had a hard struggle, but the Almighty has favored the just cause; and I join most heartily with you in your prayers that he made perfect his work,…
God Desire’s Our Best
"Having taken care to do what appears to be for the best, we must submit to God's providence, which orders all things really for the best." Smyth 3:103. (1752.)
God Delights in our Joy
"And since he [God] has created many things which seem purely designed for the delight of man, I believe he is not offended when he sees his children solace themselves…