what does these aphorism mean?

[FishingLTJ]

this is a ben franklin quote. it is homework n i need to know what it means. it is due tomorows at 9 p.m1. the muses love the morning2. when there's no law there's no bread3. he that drinks fast pays slow4. the discontented man finds no easy chair5. read much but not too many books6. he that speaks much is much mistaken7. three good meals a day is the best sermon8. a good example is the best sermon9. the end of passion is the beginning of repentance10. he that would fish must venture his bait11. those who are feared are hated12. a mob's a monster: heads enough but no brains13. there are no fools so troublesome as those that have wit14. it's common for men to give pretended reasons instead of one real one

[fishmaster911]

1) writers like to write in the morning2) laws create economic stability3) heavy drinkers may not pay4) discontent can not be easily resolved5) read in depth to gain true understanding, but do not try to read too broadly (too many subjects) 6) the wise say little7) well fed is happy8) do as I do, not as I say9) after the heat of passion comes reason10) to catch what you want you must risk what you have11) we hate what we fear12) mobs follow their passions, not their brains13) an intelligent troublemaker is a real problem14) people often lie

[PADavid]

1. The muses love the morning.

A muse is an inspiration - the morning refers to the new start (as in new day which starts in the morning) So the meaning woudl be that you are inspired by a new thing, event or change.



2. When there's no law there's no bread.

Law (or more precisely rules) creates an orderly and efficient way of governing the relationships between man. When there is order there is production, hence food (i.e. bread)


3. He that drinks fast pays slow.

The narrow meaning is that a drunk person might not pay the tab. The broad meaning is that those who are fast to consume look only at the short term; they ignore long term effects of their immediate actions.


4. The discontented man finds no easy chair.

While an optimist finds every chair "easy" or is glad to have chair, the pessimist (or discontented man) finds fault with every chair, no matter how comfortable or purpose suited. It is another way of saying the glass is half empty


5. Read much but not too many books.


Not sure about this one. It seems to mean that you should learn from the correct source and not follow propaganda publications.


6. He that speaks much is much mistaken.

Another way of saying - "he doth protest to much" Lots of words do not mean that the message is true - just that the message is voluminous.


7. Three good meals a day is the best sermon.

Similar to the phrase that "religion is the opiate of the masses." (Famous Karl Marx quote). Essentially, a sermon does little to put food on the starving persons table unless there is more meaning then illusion.


8. A good example is the best sermon.

Easy one - Talk is cheap, actions speak louder then words.


9. The end of passion is the beginning of repentance.

Passions are actions made not through logical thoughts but rather impulse. often when we act in haste we later face regret.


10. He that would fish must venture his bait.

Another way of saying nothing ventured nothing gained. Unless you act towards a goal you will never reach that goal.


11. Those who are feared are hated.

If you attempt to control through the use of fear you will inspire hate - not a good way to resolve a situation. You will see the phrase used in anti-war discussions. Another way of saying that might does not make right.


12. A mob's a monster: heads enough but no brains.

The actions of a disorganized group are often done without thought or worry about consequence.



13. There are no fools so troublesome as those that have wit.

Just becuase someone can speak with eloquence does not mean they are speaking with logic or intelligence.


14. It's common for men to give pretended reasons instead of one real one.


Watch out for ulterior motives.


This was fun.

David

[FishingLTJ]

Thanks, I don't know why the post didn't show up right in the forum. Maybe it didn't use line breaks! Anyway, thanks!