Benjamin Franklin’s Fugio Cent: A Call to Focus on Affairs

The initial U.S. coin to officially circulate, known as the Fugio Cent, featured the phrase “Mind Your Business” rather than “In God We Trust.” Benjamin Franklin is thought to have designed the coin, according to some sources. As a prominent and accomplished entrepreneur, historians theorize that Franklin used the term “business” in its literal sense. The intended meaning was not the later idiomatic expression “mind your own business,” but rather “focus on your matters.”

Ben Franklin was a slaveowner…

Ben Franklin was a slaveowner for much of his life, but after a friend took him to visit a school for black children. He wrote that African ignorance was not inherently natural but come from lack of education, slavery and negative environments. And he petitioned Congress to end slavery.

Even though Benjamin Franklin…

Even though Benjamin Franklin is credited with many popular inventions, he never patented or copyrighted any of them. He believed that they should be given freely and that claiming ownership would only cause trouble and “sour one’s Temper and disturb one’s Quiet.”

Benjamin Franklin lived his life by 13 rules…

Benjamin Franklin lived his life by 13 rules which he called the 13 virtues. He made these virtues when he was 20. 1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 3. Order. Let all your things have their places; […]