I am about courting a girl I have had but little acquaintance with. How shall I come to a knowledge of her faults, and whether she has the virtues I imagine she has? Answer. Commend her among her female acquaintances.
Source: Complete Works, vol. 1, Miscellaneous Observations (ed. by John Bigelow, 1887 --88).
-- Benjamin Franklin, (Jan 17 1706-1790), US statesman, diplomat, inventor, printer; He published Poor Richard's Almanac, 1732-57 ; invented bifocal glasses and the lightning rod.