"My circumstances, however, grew daily easier. My original habits of frugality continuing, and my father having, among his instructions to me when a boy, frequently repeated a proverb of Solomon, "_Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men_." I thence considered industry as a means of obtaining wealth and distinction, which encouraged me; though I did not think that I should ever literally _stand before kings_,--which, however, has since happened; for I have stood before _five_, and even had the honor of sitting down with one, the King of Denmark, to dinner." It is not strange that such a young man should write such maxims as the following, in his riper years: "Pride breakfasts with plenty, dines with poverty, and sups with infamy." "It is as truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as for the frog to swell in order to equal the ox." "It is easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it." His integrity was no less marked. Strict honesty characterized all his dealings with men. An exalted idea of justice pervaded his soul. His word of honor was as good as his note of hand. Even his disposition to castigate and censure in his writings, so manifest in Boston, at sixteen years of age, and which his father rebuked, was overcome. After he had set up a paper in Philadelphia, a gentleman handed him an article for its columns. "I am very busy now," said Benjamin, "and you will confer a favor by leaving it for perusal at my leisure." "That I will do, and call again to-morrow." The following day the author put in his appearance quite early. "What is your opinion of my article?" he asked. "Why, sir, I am sorry to say that I can not publish it." "Why not? What is the matter with it?" "It is highly scurrilous and defamatory," replied Benjamin; "but being at a loss, on account of my poverty, whether to reject it or not, I thought I would put it to this issue. At night when my work was done, I bought a twopenny loaf, on which I supped heartily, and then, wrapping myself in my great coat, slept very soundly on the floor until morning, when another loaf and mug of water afforded a pleasant breakfast. Now, sir, since I can live very comfortably in this manner, why should I prostitute my press to personal hatred or party passion for a more luxurious living?"