Paraphrase the Following Aphorisms from Benjamin Franklin S Poor Richard S Almanac

Aphorisms

An aphorism is a short, concise statement expressing a wise or clever observation or truth. In order to fully understand an aphorism, it is a good idea to try and state the meaning of the statement in your own words, or paraphrase.

Ex: When the cat’s away the mice will play = People become unruly when authority is absent.

Paraphrase the following aphorisms from Benjamin Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanac.

1. Fish and visitors smell in three days.

2. If your had is wax, don’t walk in the sun.

3. Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

4. If you would know the value of money, try to borrow some.

5. The cat in gloves catches no mice.

Answer the questions based on the aphorisms given on the back of the page.

1. What must a person do to earn the love of others

2. Hedges may be used to divide property and maintain privacy. What does Franklin mean in aphorism 5

3. In which two aphorisms does Franklin refer to secrets? Does he think that people can be trusted with secrets?

4. What is Franklin saying about luck in aphorism 11? 5. What is worse than ignorance?

6. Which aphorisms do you think are most useful for people today? Which do you think do not apply anymore? Why?

1. He that cannot obey cannot command.

2. He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.

3. If you would be loved, love and be lovable.

4. Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.

5. Love your neighbor, yet don’t pull down your hedge.

6. Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

7. Lost time is never found again.

8. Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.

9. Well done is better than well said.

10. God helps them that help themselves.

11. Diligence is the mother of good luck.

12. Being ignorant is not so much a shame as being unwilling to learn.

13. When the well’s dry, we know the worth of water.

14. If you would keep your secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend.

15. Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched.

16. If you’d have a good servant that you like, serve yourself.

17. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

18. Fish and visitors smell in three days.

19. He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.

20. Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.

21. Little strokes fell great oaks.

22. Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. Name ______Period ______

CREATE YOUR OWN APHORISM’S

As we continue our look into Morrie Schwartz’s impressive list of aphorisms, it’s time for you to create three of your own! The aphorism that you create should be unique to you and not simply a copy or even a close resemblance to any that Morrie Schwartz has already said (or anyone else for that matter). This will require a bit of thinking, but who ever said thinking was a bad thing? Follow the guidelines below to create the perfect aphorism.

Aphorism: A short, usually one or two sentence, statement in which the speaker wishes to impart some sort of wisdom onto the reader. An aphorism is meant to encourage a reader while teaching him/her a lesson that he/she can live by. An aphorism should benefit everyone, not a single group of people.

Here are some helpful examples below:

X – “Love is great!” This statement does not teach a lesson and really isn’t all that encouraging. √ - “Love always wins!” This statement is encouraging and in fact does teach a lesson.

X – “Popularity makes everyone happy!” This statement is meant for a certain group of people. Popular ones! √ - “Be proud of who you are. In the end, it’s all that matters!” This aphorism can be applied to EVERYONE!

X – “Love is the smartest thing.” This statement is WAY too similar to “Love is the only rational act.”

X – “Help everyone that needs it.” This statement is just too broad. It is not specific enough.

X – “Study hard. Do your homework. And pay attention in school. You will succeed.” This is simply common sense. This is not wisdom and you really are not encouraging anyone.

Use this Diagram to Help you Create your Aphorism! Which type of aphorism do you want to write about?

Life Lesson 8th Grade or Middle School This type of aphorism will teach the audience a This type of aphorism will teach the audience a lesson about life. lesson about life in 8th grade or Middle School

Topic: Topic: Brainstorms important aspects of Life: Brainstorms important aspects of 8th Grade: Example: Friends, Family, etc… Example: Success, Behavior, etc… Explain Why! Explain Why!

Possible Topics (be sure to explain):

Read Over Each of Your Possible Topics and Answer the Questions Below:

1 2 3 What do you want people to learn What do you want people to learn What do you want people to learn from your first topic? from your second topic? from your third topic? Aphorism #1:

Aphorism #2:

Aphorism #3:

DOMAIN 5 3 1 CONTENT All aphorisms accurately Two of the three Only one aphorism follow the guidelines of an aphorisms accurately accurately follows the aphorism. Each aphorism follow the guidelines of guidelines of an offers encouragement an aphorism. Two aphorism. The other while teaching a lesson to aphorisms offer aphorisms do not teach the reader. encouragement while a lesson and do not teaching a lesson to the offer encouragement. reader. Less than three aphorisms were offered. GRAMMAR Spelling and punctuation One spelling or Multiple spelling or are 100% accurate in all punctuation error is punctuation errors are three aphorisms. present in all three present in all three aphorisms. aphorisms. ORIGINALITY All aphorisms show One or more of the One or more of the complete originality and do aphorisms shows a slight aphorisms greatly not resemble any of resemblance to an resemble an aphorism or Morrie Schwartz’s aphorism from Morrie aphorisms from Morrie aphorisms. Schwartz. Schwartz. Aphorism Brainstorming: ______/ 5 TOTAL: _____ / 20