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Franklinites need not be told that the wisdom (and wit) of Ben Franklin never go out of fashion. But the American sage is now plowing new fields in Poland thanks to an author there and a US-based publisher.
This month a new book by novelist Romuald Roman entitled Benjamin Franklin Radzi Jak Źyć [Benjamin Franklin Advises How to Live], was released by Philadelphia publisher Chestnut Hill Press for distribution in Poland.
“Franklin was a politician whose civic actions benefitted every fellow citizen of every belief, creed, or political opinion,” Michał Kamiński writes in a publishing note to this Polish-language compendium of Franklin’s thought by Romuald Roman.
Kaminski cites Franklin’s adage “honest work pays off, and austerity is not something to be ashamed of” and points out that “he did not push himself into politics, but found time to listen to the rationale of the political parties, even the Iroquois forming their democracy in the long houses on the Ohio River.”
Two and a half centuries ago, in the days before Christmas, thousands of families opened the new edition of Poor Richard's Almanac. They laughed at the simple jokes and sayings, while learning a simple truth:
When a Friend deals with a Friend
Let the Bargain be clear and well penn’d,
That they may continue Friends to the End.
“This is how integrity and civic virtue became for Americans what Kozietulski's courage is for us Poles”, Kaminiński says. “Franklin's teachings may today be of use to many readers from the Vistula River just as they once were of use to farmers on the Susquehanna River. “
Wisdom and humor both abound in Benjamin Franklin Radzi Jak Źyć. It's clear why his sayings appeal to contemporary Polish politicians.
Chestnut Hill Press can be found at www.chestnuthillpress.com.
