DISCUSSING CLUB
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AND HIS SAYINGS
(FOR THE 11TH FORM)
GULIK
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: Hello, everybody! Good afternoon, dear guests! Do you know who am I? Yes! I`m Benjamin Franklin. What do you know about me?
STUDENTS: You are an author, a scientist, a statesman and a diplomat.
B.F.: You are right! And now listen to my brief biography. Be attentive because I`m going to ask you some questions.
St.1: Benjamin Franklin, American printer, author, scientist, statesman and diplomat, was born in Boston in 1706 into a poor family. He learnt to read at a very early age, probably taught by his father, who destined him for the Church and sent him at eight years to a grammar school. But the expense proved too great, and at the age of ten Benjamin began to work in his father`s little soap shop. Disliking this, he began to help to his brother James, a printer. Benjamin read whatever book he could lay his hands upon, and by 1722 he was writing little stories on various topics.
St.2: Constant reading made Franklin one of the most educated men of his time. His activities were varied. In the 1740s he experimented on electricity and lightning rod for the protection of buildings. In the 1750s Franklin was sent to Britain to defend the interests of the American Colonies before the British Parliament. During the War of Independence he helped to frame the Declaration of Independence. In 1776 he was sent to France, where he enlisted French help for the American Colonies and later negotiated peace with Britain. After the War of Independence Franklin was chosen as a member of the Convention to frame the Constitution of the United States. He wrote many political and satirical pamphlets defending the rights of all men, including the Negroes and Indians, and became president of the society for the abolition of slavery.
St.3: But let us return to Benjamin Franklin the printer. In 1723 he left his native town for Philadelphia, where he first worked in a print-shop and later established his own printing business. In 1733 he began to issue what came to be known among the readers as “Poor Richard`s Almanac”, which continued to appear for about 25 years. The almanac was a combination calendar , encyclopedia, and a moral counsellor. It noted the holidays, the dates of the fairs and the court sessions, and it contained jokes, poems, recipes and sayings. As he himself noted in his “Autobiography”, he tried to make “Poor Richard`s Almanac” both entertaining and useful.
St.4: Many of his sayings were not original, but he changed and sharpened them. These practical words of advice to the people, improved by Franklin`s talent for simple, humorous writing, had universal appeal. Many of them, in one form or another, are still quoted today. Franklin`s sayings became known in Europe mainly through the edition for 1757, in which he collected many of the sayings that had appeared during the previous 25 years. The following is a short list of some of his well-known sayings found in “Poor Richard`s Almanac”, as well as in his other writings. He died in 1790.
B.F. Thanks. I`m pleased to hear such nice words about myself. And now here there are my questions. If you answer is correctly, I`ll give you one tag. I can see here two teams: the students of the 11th A form and the students of the 11th T form. Who will be the best? Let`s begin!
Where and when was I born?
When did I learn to read?
What important document for the USA was framed by me and others members of the Convention?
Name the edition created by Benjamin Franklin.
When did he begin to issue it?
What is Benjamin Franklin famous for?
B.F. I`ve prepared some of my sayings about life, labour, learning and people. You must read them and translate. But it’s not so easy. First of all you must unite two parts of each saying. Three minutes are given to you.
ABOUT LIFE
The noblest question in the world is 1.that twenty shillings and twenty.
years never can never be spent.
Lost time is 2.a hen tomorrow.
The golden age never was 3.“What good may I do in it?”
An egg today is better than 4.the present time.
There never was a good war, 5.or a bad peace.
A child and a fool imagine 6.never found again.
ABOUT LABOUR AND LEARNING
The doors of wisdom 1.Do it today.
Diligence is the mother 2.like silver in the mine.
Being uneducated is not so dishonorable 3.fools by their own.
Genius without education is 4.are never shut.
Have you something to do tomorrow? 5.of good luck.
Wise men learn by other`s harm; 6.as being unwilling to learn.
ABOUT PEOPLE
Three may keep a secret, 1.multiplies cares.
Creditors have better 2.both friend and flatterer.
The rotten apple spoils 3.his companions.
He who multiplies riches, 4.if two of them are dead.
The worst wheel of the cart 5.memories than debtors.
The same man cannot be 6.makes the most noise.
B.F. Good job, everyone! I celebrate the winners. And one more tour. I`ve prepared some questions for you. Here they are. Each student must choose a question and give as full answer as possible.
QUESTIONS:
Do you have in your own language some of the same sayings?
Make up a short story to illustrate the sayings.
Do you agree or disagree with the sayings? Why?
Make up your own saying.
B.F. Thanks a lot for answers and I want to hear our guests` opinion about today`s winner. Please, say some words!
I congratulate the winners and I want to present you these prizes. Good luck to everybody and goodbye!
