THE MENTOR 1918.05.15, No. 155,
Benjamin Franklin
LEARN ONE THING
EVERY DAY
MAY 15 1918
SERIAL NO. 155
THE
MENTOR
BENJAMIN
FRANKLIN
By ALBERT BUSHNELL HART
Professor of Government
Harvard University
DEPARTMENT OF
BIOGRAPHY
VOLUME 6
NUMBER 7
TWENTY CENTS A COPY
THE WHISTLE
A Bit of Ben Franklin Wisdom
When I was a child seven years old, my friends, on a holiday,filled my pocket with coppers. I went directly to a shop wherethey sold toys for children; and, being charmed with the soundof a whistle that I met by the way in the hands of another boy, Ivoluntarily offered and gave all my money for one. I then camehome and went whistling all over the house, much pleased withmy whistle, but disturbing all the family. My brothers, and sisters,and cousins, understanding the bargain I had made, told meI had given four times as much for it as it was worth; put me in mind of whatgood things I might have bought with the rest of the money; and laughed at meso much for my folly that I cried with vexation; and the reflection gave memore chagrin than the whistle gave me pleasure.
This, however, was afterward of use to me, the impression continuing on mymind; so that often, when I was tempted to buy some unnecessary thing, I saidto myself, Don’t give too much for the whistle; and I saved my money. As I grewup, came into the world, and observed the actions of men, I thought I met withmany, very many, who gave too much for the whistle.
When I saw one too ambitious of court favour, sacrificing his time inattendance on levees, his repose, his liberty, his virtue, and perhaps his friends,to attain it, I have said to myself, This man gives too much for his whistle.
When I saw another fond of popularity, constantly employing himself inpolitical bustles, neglecting his own affairs, and ruining them by that neglect,He pays, indeed, said I, too much for his whistle.
If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all thepleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow citizens, and thejoys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth, Poor man,said I, you pay too much for your whistle.
When I met with a man of pleasure, sacrificing every laudable improvementof the mind or of his fortune to mere corporeal sensations, and ruining his healthin their pursuit, Mistaken man, said I, you are providing pain for yourself instead ofpleasure; you give too much for your whistle.
If I see one fond of appearance, or fine clothes, fine houses, fine furniture,fine equipages, all above his fortune, for which he contracts debts and ends hisdays in prison, Alas! say I, he has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle.
When I see a beautiful, sweet-tempered girl married to an ill-natured brute