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Grandpa Ken

Reads

Old Books

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Advice to a Young Manon the

Choice of a Mistress

Benjamin Franklin

1745

Benjamin FranklinJune 25, 1745

7/31/2019 Advice to a Young Man on the Choice of a Mistress, Ben Franklin, AutpPlay

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Advice to a Young Man

on theChoice of a Mistress

(Old Mistresses Apologue)

Benjamin Franklin1745

NarrationRick Rodstrom

(Librivox)

ProducedKenneth Kunz

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Kenamar Corp.

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June 25, 1745

My dear Friend,

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I know of no Medicinefit to diminishthe violent natural

inclinations you mention;

and if I did,

I think I should notcommunicate it to you.

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Marriageis the proper Remedy.

It is the most natural

State of Man,

and thereforethe State in which youare most likely

to find solid Happiness.

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Your Reasonsagainst entring into it

at present,

appear to me not well-founded.

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The circumstantialAdvantages you have inViewby postponing it,

are not only uncertain,

but they are smallin comparison withthat of the Thing itself,

the being married andsettled.

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It isthe Man and Woman

united

that makethe compleat humanBeing.

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Separate,

she wants his Force ofBody and Strength of

Reason;

he,her Softness,Sensibility

and acute Discernment.

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Together they are morelikelyto succeed in the World.

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A single Man

has not nearly the Valuehe would havein that State of Union.

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He is an incomplete

Animal.

He resembles the odd Halfof a Pair of Scissars.

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If youget a prudent healthyWife,

your Industryin your Profession,

with her good Economy,

will be a Fortunesufficient.

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Butif you will not take thisCounsel,and persist in thinkinga Commerce with the Sexinevitable,

then I repeat my formerAdvice,

that in all your Amoursyou should

prefer old Womento young ones.

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You call this a Paradox,

and demand myReasons.

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They are these:

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1.

Because as they have

more Knowledge of theWorldand their Mindsare better stordwith Observations,

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their Conversation

is more improvingand more lastinglyagreable.

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2.

Because when Womencease to be handsome,

they study to be good.

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To maintaintheir Influence over Men,

they supplythe Diminution of Beautyby an Augmentation ofUtility.

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They learnto do a 1000 Servicessmall and great,

and are the most tenderand useful of all Friendswhen you are sick.

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Thus they continueamiable.

And hence there is hardlysuch a thing to be foundas an old Womanwho is not a good Woman.

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3.

Becausethere is no hazard ofChildren,

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which irregularly producd

may be attendedwith much Inconvenience.

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4.

Because thro more

Experience,

they are more prudentand discreet in conductingan Intrigue to preventSuspicion.

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The Commerce with them

is therefore saferwith regard to yourReputation.

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And with regard totheirs,

if the Affair

should happen to beknown,

considerate Peoplemight be rather inclindto excuse an old Woman

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who would kindly takecareof a young Man,

form his Mannersby her good Counsels,

and prevent his ruininghis Health and Fortuneamong mercenaryProstitutes.

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5.

Because in every Animalthat walks upright,

the Deficiency of theFluids that fill theMusclesappears first

in the highest Part:

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The Face first grows lackand wrinkled;

then the Neck;

then the Breast and Arms;

the lower Parts continuingto the last

as plump as ever:

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So that covering allabovewith a Basket,

and regardingonly what is below theGirdle,

it is impossible of twoWomen to knowan old from a young one.

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And as in the darkall Cats are grey,

the Pleasureof corporal Enjoyment

with an old Womanis at least equal,

and frequently superior,

every Knackbeing by Practicecapable of Improvement.

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6.

Because the Sin is less.

The debauching a Virginmay be her Ruin,

and make her for Lifeunhappy.

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7.

Because the Compunctionis less,

the having made

a young Girl miserablemay give youfrequent bitterReflections;

none of whichcan attend the makingan old Woman happy.

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8thly and Lastly

They are so grateful!!

Thus much for myParadox.

But still I advise youto marry directly.

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Being sincerely,

your affectionate Friend,

BenjaminFranklin

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