Benjamin Franklin borrowed liberally from those around him in penning this most illustrious of American almanacks. Franklin borrowed from contemporary almanacker Titan Leeds (whom Poor Richard's hoaxed by predicting his death) for format; he chose the title Poor Richard's after the English almanack Poor Robin's, and he used the name of Richard Saunders, the English editor of Apollo Anglicanus, as his pen name. Franklin's witty maxims and irrepressible humor, however, are all his own - presenting such unforgettable adages as Make haste slowly' and God helps them that helps themselves.'
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