“ A man being sometimes more generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps thro' fear of being thought to have but little. ”
Benjamin Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (1791). copy citation
| Author | Benjamin Franklin |
|---|---|
| Source | The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin |
| Topic | poverty generosity money |
| Date | 1791 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/20203/20203-h/20203-h.htm |
Context
“I was fatigued with traveling, rowing, and want of rest, I was very hungry; and my whole stock of cash consisted of a Dutch dollar, and about a shilling in copper. The latter I gave the people of the boat for my passage, who at first refus'd it, on account of my rowing; but I insisted on their taking it. A man being sometimes more generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps thro' fear of being thought to have but little.
Then I walked up the street, gazing about till near the market-house I met a boy with bread. I had made many a meal on bread, and, inquiring where he got it, I went immediately to the baker's he directed me to, in Second-street, and ask'd for bisket, intending such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in Philadelphia.” source
Then I walked up the street, gazing about till near the market-house I met a boy with bread. I had made many a meal on bread, and, inquiring where he got it, I went immediately to the baker's he directed me to, in Second-street, and ask'd for bisket, intending such as we had in Boston; but they, it seems, were not made in Philadelphia.” source
Meaning and analysis
