From 1733 to 1758 Poor Richards Almanac helped create the unique American identity in a homey, common sense, aspirational way. Buy what thou hast no need of; and e’er long thou shalt sell thy necessaries. Hast thou virtue? If you wou’d not be forgotten As soon as you are dead and rotten, Either write things worth reading, Or do things worth the writing. Wink at small faults; remember thou hast great ones.