Ms. Tomasello's website 
Under the pseudonym of Richard Saunders, Ben Franklin wrote and published Poor Richard's Almanac from 1733-1758. The almanac included agricultural predictions, chart's of the moon phases, and a series of proverbs. Some of his most famous proverbs are listed below. A proverb is like a motto.
In your own words, can you explain what they mean?
Do you agree with the message?
There are no gains without pains.
At the working man's house, hunger looks in but dares not enter.
Industry pays debts while despair increases them.
Plough deep while sluggards sleep and you shall have corn to sell and to keep.
One today is worth two tomorrows.
Have you something to do tomorrow? Do it today.
Trouble springs from idleness and grievous toil from needless ease.
The noblest question in the world is: What good may I do in it?
Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy.
Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure when he is really selling himself a slave to it.
Check out some more of Poor Richard's Proverbs (Ben Franklin's).
http://www.benandverse.com/poorben/index.shtml
