Explore the most impactful and insightful quotes and sayings by Benjamin Franklin, and enrich your perspective with the wisdom. Share these inspiring Benjamin Franklin quotes pictures with your friends on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, or your personal blogs, completely free. Here are the top 1351 Benjamin Franklin quotes for you to read and share.
I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe in that He ought to be whipped from pilar to post and back again for His shameful actions toward Humanity. -- Benjamin Franklin
A light purse is a heavy curse. -- Benjamin Franklin
Your best investment is to pour your purse into your head, and no one can take it away from you. -- Benjamin Franklin
In eating ecology love murder vegan vegetarianism flesh eating is unprovoked murder. -- Benjamin Franklin
My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chided for my singularity, but, with this lighter repast, I made the greater progress, for greater clearness of head and quicker comprehension. Flesh eating is unprovoked murder. -- Benjamin Franklin
Flesh eating is unprovoked murder. -- Benjamin Franklin
Never praise your cider or your horse -- Benjamin Franklin
Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. -- Benjamin Franklin
The US Constitution only guarantees your rights as a citizen, it doesn't guarantee happiness. It may take work, but if you have your rights, happiness is very possible. -- Benjamin Franklin
It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it. -- Benjamin Franklin
Hope of gain lessens pain. -- Benjamin Franklin
Rarely use Venery but for Health or Offspring; Never to Dulness, Weakness, or the Injury of your own or another's Peace or Reputation. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that scatters thorns, let him not go barefoot. -- Benjamin Franklin
Nothing brings more pain than too much pleasure; nothing more bondage than too much liberty. -- Benjamin Franklin
A lonely man on a rainy night who cannot read. -- Benjamin Franklin
Thinking aloud is a habit which is responsible for most of mankind's misery. -- Benjamin Franklin
For the best return on your money, pour your purse into your head. -- Benjamin Franklin
Covetousness is ever attended with solicitude and anxiety. -- Benjamin Franklin
The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars. -- Benjamin Franklin
I should have no objection to go over the same life from its beginning to the end: requesting only the advantage authors have, of correcting in a second edition the faults of the first. -- Benjamin Franklin
Reckless haste makes poor speed. -- Benjamin Franklin
We are all born without knowledge, but curious. With curiosity we should be able to learn as much as possible. With curiosity, it has to take a lot of work to remain ignorant. -- Benjamin Franklin
Avoid dishonest gain: no price can recompence the pangs of vice. -- Benjamin Franklin
Do not do that which you would not have known. -- Benjamin Franklin
The poor man must walk to get meat for his stomach,
the rich man to get a stomach to his meat. -- Benjamin Franklin
Eat few suppers, and you'll need few medicines. -- Benjamin Franklin
Waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. -- Benjamin Franklin
The way to wealth is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two words, industry and frugality: that is, waste neither time nor money, but make the best use of both. Without industry and frugality nothing will do, and with them everything. -- Benjamin Franklin
Where there is a free government, and the people make their own laws by their representatives, I see no injustice in their obliging one another to take their own paper money. -- Benjamin Franklin
How do you become better tomorrow? By improving yourself, the world is made better. Be not afraid of growing too slowly. Be afraid of standing still. Forget your mistakes, but remember what they taught you. So how do you become better tomorrow? By becoming better today. -- Benjamin Franklin
A child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books. -- Benjamin Franklin
Nothing so likely to make a man's fortune as virtue. -- Benjamin Franklin
The United States Constitutional Convention, except for three or four persons, thought prayers unnecessary. -- Benjamin Franklin
Fatigue is the best pillow. -- Benjamin Franklin
Lost time is never found again, and what we call time enough, always proves little enough. -- Benjamin Franklin
When befriended, remember it; when you befriend, forget it. -- Benjamin Franklin
You cannot always run from a weakness. You must sometime fight it out or perish. -- Benjamin Franklin
Drive your business. Let not your business drive you. -- Benjamin Franklin
Many complain of their memory, few of their judgment. -- Benjamin Franklin
It's the easiest thing in the world for a man to deceive himself. -- Benjamin Franklin
Three things are men most likely to be cheated in, a horse, a wig, and a wife. -- Benjamin Franklin
Courteous Reader, Astrology is one of the most ancient Sciences, held in high esteem of old, by the Wise and the Great. Formerly, no Prince would make War or Peace, nor any General fight in Battle, in short, no important affair was undertaken without first consulting an Astrologer. -- Benjamin Franklin
Some books against Deism fell into my hands ... it happened that they wrought an effect on me quite contrary to what was intended by them; for the arguments of the Deists, which were quote to be refuted, appeared to me much stronger than the refutations; in short, I soon became a thorough Deist. -- Benjamin Franklin
The wise and the brave dares own that he was wrong. -- Benjamin Franklin
Cunning proceeds from lack of capacity. -- Benjamin Franklin
Pride is said to be the last vice the good man gets clear of ... -- Benjamin Franklin
Now I have a sheep and cow, everybody bids me good morrow. -- Benjamin Franklin
The man that walks wit crowd, will get no farther than the crowd. The man that walks alone, will reach places unknown. -- Benjamin Franklin
If you ride a horse, sit close and tight, if you ride a man, sit easy and light. -- Benjamin Franklin
Did not strong connections draw me elsewhere, I believe Scotland would be the country I would choose to end my days in. -- Benjamin Franklin
Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation. -- Benjamin Franklin
There is much money given to be laughed at, though the purchasers don't know it; witness A.'s fine horse, and B.'s fine house. -- Benjamin Franklin
The rapid progress true Science now makes, occasions my regretting sometimes that I was born so soon. -- Benjamin Franklin
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned -- Benjamin Franklin
Many have quarreled about religion that never practice it. -- Benjamin Franklin
Chess is so interesting in itself, as not to need the view of gain to induce engaging in it; and thence it is never played for money -- Benjamin Franklin
Thirteen virtues necessary for true success: temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity, and humility. -- Benjamin Franklin
Imitate Jesus and Socrates -- Benjamin Franklin
Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing. There are three faithful friends in our life,an old wife,an old dog and ready money. A real friend is one who always warms you.
Love is blind. Friendship close it eyes. -- Benjamin Franklin
He who falls in love with himself will have no rivals -- Benjamin Franklin
Passion governs, and she never governs wisely. -- Benjamin Franklin
People want to catch a buzz. That is why drugs are illegal, yet people still try to get their hands on them no matter what the consequence. Drugs make us happy, they may not be healthy. -- Benjamin Franklin
Mary's mouth cost her nothing for she never opens it but at others' expense. -- Benjamin Franklin
Great Modesty often hides great Merit. -- Benjamin Franklin
If all but myself were blind, I should want neither a fine house nor fine furniture. -- Benjamin Franklin
A man must have a good deal of vanity who believes, and a good deal of boldness who affirms, that all the doctrines he holds are true, and all he rejects are false. -- Benjamin Franklin
Stand firm, don't flutter! -- Benjamin Franklin
There is ample time to sleep; after death. -- Benjamin Franklin
O powerful goodness! Bountiful Father! Merciful Guide! Increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. Strengthen my resolution to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favours to me. -- Benjamin Franklin
Educate your children to self-control, to the habit of holding passion and prejudice and evil tendencies subject to an upright and reasoning will, and you have done much to abolish misery from their future and crimes from society. -- Benjamin Franklin
Games lubricate the body and mind. -- Benjamin Franklin
Watch the pennies and the dollars will take care of themselves. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that is rich need not live sparingly,
and he that can live sparingly need not be rich. -- Benjamin Franklin
Cheese and salt meat, should be sparingly eat. -- Benjamin Franklin
Time Like a petal in the wind Flows softly by As old lives are taken New ones begin A continual chain Which lasts throughout eternity Every life but a minute in time But each of equal importance -- Benjamin Franklin
I know as well as thee that I am no poet born
It is a trade, I never learnt nor indeed could learn
If I make verses-'tis in spite
Of nature and my stars I write. -- Benjamin Franklin
If you have no Honey in your Pot, have some in your Mouth. -- Benjamin Franklin
If it were not for the Belly, the Back might wear Gold. -- Benjamin Franklin
I experienced, too, the truth of the observation, "that after getting the first hundred pound, it is more easy to get the second," money itself being of a prolific nature. -- Benjamin Franklin
Nor is it of much Importance to us to know the Manner in which Nature executes her laws; 'tis enough to know the Laws themselves. -- Benjamin Franklin
As charms are nonsense,
nonsense is a charm. -- Benjamin Franklin
In the dark, all cats are grey. -- Benjamin Franklin
Epitaph on a scolding wife by her husband: Here my poor Bridget's corpse doth lie, she is at rest - and so am I! -- Benjamin Franklin
In success be moderate. -- Benjamin Franklin
Do you love life? Then don't waste time, because time is life! -- Benjamin Franklin
Beer is proof that God wants us to be happy -- Benjamin Franklin
I began to suspect that this doctrine, tho' it might be true, was not very useful. -- Benjamin Franklin
Laws without morals are in vain. -- Benjamin Franklin
of light and life, thou Good Supreme! O teach me what is good; teach me Thyself! Save me from folly, vanity, and vice, From every low pursuit; and fill my soul With knowledge, conscious peace, and virtue pure; Sacred, substantial, never-fading bliss! -- Benjamin Franklin
Among the numerous luxuries of the table ... coffee may be considered as one of the most valuable. It excites cheerfulness without intoxication; and the pleasing flow of spirits which it occasions ... is never followed by sadness, languor or debility. -- Benjamin Franklin
Do not let fancy outrun your means. -- Benjamin Franklin
To find out a girl's faults, praise her to her girlfriends. -- Benjamin Franklin
Keep flax from fire, and youth from gaming. -- Benjamin Franklin
The Things which hurt, instruct. -- Benjamin Franklin
A single man has not nearly the value he would have in a state of union. He is an incomplete animal. He resembles the odd half of a pair of scissors. -- Benjamin Franklin
It was about this time I conceiv'd the bold and arduous project of arriving at moral perfection. -- Benjamin Franklin
You never want to give up your liberty, even if you are told it is for security. The Patriot Act is a perfect example of giving up liberty for security. It says let us tap your phones so we can keep safe. -- Benjamin Franklin
I think this Law, by which I am punished, is both unreasonable in itself, and particularly severe ...
Polly Baker -- Benjamin Franklin
In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria. -- Benjamin Franklin
A man separated from his reflective belt is no man at all. -- Benjamin Franklin
The best tranquilizer is a clear conscience. -- Benjamin Franklin
Happiness consists more in the small conveniences of pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom to a man in the course of his life. -- Benjamin Franklin
Young citizens by the use of our institutions; our better acquaintance with -- Benjamin Franklin
One good husband is worth two good wives, for the scarcer things are, the more they are valued. -- Benjamin Franklin
Time is money, be a better you. -- Benjamin Franklin
Genius is the ability to hold one's vision steady until it becomes reality -- Benjamin Franklin
Anger is never without a Reason, but seldom with a good One. -- Benjamin Franklin
The early morning has gold in its mouth. -- Benjamin Franklin
The Existence of Deity, that he made the World, and govern'd it by his Providence; that the most acceptable Service of God was the doing Good to Man; that our Souls are immortal; and that all Crime will be punished and Virtue rewarded either here or hereafter ... -- Benjamin Franklin
When you speak to a man, look on his eyes; when he speaks to you, look on his mouth. -- Benjamin Franklin
He is ill clothed that is bare of virtue. -- Benjamin Franklin
There are many roads to success, but only one sure road to failure; and that is to try to please everyone else. -- Benjamin Franklin
Beware belief in anything you read on the Internet. -- Benjamin Franklin
He [the Rev. Mr. Whitefield] used, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard. -- Benjamin Franklin
O Lazy bones! Dost thou think God would have given thee arms and legs, if he had not design'd thou should'st use them? -- Benjamin Franklin
There are three things in life that are extremely hard.
Steel, a diamond, and to know oneself. -- Benjamin Franklin
The Honey is sweet, but the Bee has a Sting. -- Benjamin Franklin
Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease. -- Benjamin Franklin
Quarrels never could last long, if on one side only lay the wrong. -- Benjamin Franklin
There is nothing so absurd as knowledge spun too fine. -- Benjamin Franklin
Doing an Injury puts you below your Enemy; Revenging one makes you but even with him; Forgiving it sets you above him. -- Benjamin Franklin
Remember this saying, The good payer is lord of another man's purse. He that is known to pay punctually and exactly to the time he promises, may at any time, and on any occasion, raise all the money his friends can spare. -- Benjamin Franklin
If dost thou love life, then Do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of, as Poor Richard says. -- Benjamin Franklin
I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. -- Benjamin Franklin
I would advise you to read with a pen in your hand and enter in a little book short hints of what you feel that is common or that may be useful; for this will be the best method of imprinting such portcullis in your memory. -- Benjamin Franklin
Here you would know, and enjoy, what prosperity will way of Washington. For a thousand leagues have nearly the same effect with a thousand years. -- Benjamin Franklin
A nation of well-informed men who have been taught to know and prize the rights which God has given them cannot be enslaved. It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins. Benjamin Franklin -- Benjamin Franklin
And whether you're an honest man, or whether you're a thief, depends on whose solicitor has given me my brief. -- Benjamin Franklin
Here in France, you must practice the art of accomplishing much while appearing to accomplish little. (in the John Adams miniseries on HBO) -- Benjamin Franklin
To get the bad customs of a country changed and new ones, though better, introduced, it is necessary first to remove the prejudices of the people, enlighten their ignorance, and convince them that their interests will be promoted by the proposed changes; and this is not the work of a day. -- Benjamin Franklin
Work as if you were to live a thousand years, play as if you were to die tomorrow. -- Benjamin Franklin
A lighthouse is more useful than a church. -- Benjamin Franklin
To whom you betray your secret you sell your liberty. -- Benjamin Franklin
That, as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours; and this we should do freely and generously. -- Benjamin Franklin
To succeed, jump as quickly at opportunities as you do at conclusions. -- Benjamin Franklin
He's a fool that makes his doctor his heir. -- Benjamin Franklin
People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both -- Benjamin Franklin
I am a mortal enemy to arbitrary government and unlimited power. I am naturally very jealous for the rights and liberties of my country, and the least encroachment of those invaluable privileges is apt to make my blood boil. -- Benjamin Franklin
When men and woman die, as poets sung, his heart's the last part moves, her last, the tongue. -- Benjamin Franklin
To be proud of virtue, is to poison yourself with the Antidote. -- Benjamin Franklin
Most people return small favors, acknowledge medium ones and repay greater ones - with ingratitude. -- Benjamin Franklin
Keep thy eyes wide open before marriage and half shut afterward. -- Benjamin Franklin
Teach your child to hold his tongue; he'll learn fast enough to speak. -- Benjamin Franklin
On the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet as I was, by the endeavor, a better and a happier man than I otherwise should have been had I not attempted it -- Benjamin Franklin
Do you love truth for truth's sake, and will you endeavor impartially to find and receive it yourself, and communicate it to others? -- Benjamin Franklin
War is when the government tells you who the bad guy is.
Revolution is when you decide that for yourself. -- Benjamin Franklin
Women are books, and men the readers be... -- Benjamin Franklin
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. -- Benjamin Franklin
All highly competent people continually search for ways to keep learning, growing, and improving. They do that by asking WHY. After all, the person who knows HOW will always have a job, but the person who knows WHY will always be the boss. -- Benjamin Franklin
Think What You Do When You Run in Debt: You Give to Another Power over Your Liberty -- Benjamin Franklin
Be not niggardly of what costs thee nothing, as courtesy, counsel, & countenance. -- Benjamin Franklin
A Republic, if you can keep it. -- Benjamin Franklin
Prayers and Provender hinder no Journey. -- Benjamin Franklin
Man is a tool-making animal -- Benjamin Franklin
Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five. -- Benjamin Franklin
An egg today is better than a hen to-morrow. -- Benjamin Franklin
[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country. -- Benjamin Franklin
Many a long dispute among divines may be thus abridged: It is so; It is not so. It is so; it is not so. -- Benjamin Franklin
I balanc'd some time between principle and inclination, till I recollected that, when the fish were opened, I saw smaller fish taken out of their stomachs; then thought I, "If you eat one another, I don't see why we mayn't eat you." So I din'd upon cod very heartily, -- Benjamin Franklin
Evils come not, then our fears are vain; And if they do fear but augments the pain. -- Benjamin Franklin
The only thing that is more expensive than education is ignorance. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that resolves to mend hereafter, resolves not to mend now. -- Benjamin Franklin
Wouldst thou enjoy a long Life, a healthy Body, and a vigorous Mind, and be acquainted also with the wonderful Works of God? labour in the first place to bring thy Appetite into Subjection to Reason. -- Benjamin Franklin
THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN -- Benjamin Franklin
Those who prefer security to liberty deserve neither. -- Benjamin Franklin
The best of all medicines is resting and fasting -- Benjamin Franklin
Those renowned generals [Alexander and Caesar] received more faithful service, and performed greater actions by means of the love their soldiers bore them, than they could possibly have done, if instead of being beloved and respected they had been hated and feared by those they commanded. -- Benjamin Franklin
We are more heavily taxed by our idleness, pride and folly than we are taxed by government. -- Benjamin Franklin
The best way to help the poor is to make them uncomfortable in their own poverty. -- Benjamin Franklin
Work while it is called today for you know not how much you may be hindered tomorrow. -- Benjamin Franklin
The game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions, for life is a kind of chess. -- Benjamin Franklin
I wish it (Christianity) were more productive of good works ... I mean real good works ... not holy day keeping, sermon-hearing ... or making long prayers, filled with flatteries and compliments despised by wise men, and much less capable of pleasing the Deity. -- Benjamin Franklin
When will mankind be convinced and agree to settle their difficulties by arbitration? -- Benjamin Franklin
Tis a common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own. -- Benjamin Franklin
My elder brothers were all put apprentices to different trades. I was put to the grammar-school at eight years of age, my father intending to devote me, as the tithe of his sons, to the service of the Church. -- Benjamin Franklin
Necessity never made a good bargain. -- Benjamin Franklin
Annual giving is the custom of making a gift-a-year to an institution in which one has faith ... -- Benjamin Franklin
Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics ... derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates. -- Benjamin Franklin
Observe all men, thyself most. -- Benjamin Franklin
Oh the wonderful knowledge to be found in the stars. Even the smallest things are written there ... if you had but skill to read. -- Benjamin Franklin
Let our Fathers and Grandfathers be valued for their Goodness, ourselves for our own. -- Benjamin Franklin
Those who are content have enough; those that complain, have too much. -- Benjamin Franklin
Serving God is doing good to man, but praying is thought an easier service and therefore more generally chosen. -- Benjamin Franklin
Getting into debt, is getting into a tanglesome net. -- Benjamin Franklin
A little House well fill'd, a little Field well till'd, and a little Wife well will'd, are great Riches. -- Benjamin Franklin
When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic. -- Benjamin Franklin
Motivation is when your dreams put on work clothes -- Benjamin Franklin
I should have no objection to a repetition of the same life from its beginning, -- Benjamin Franklin
Abuses of the freedom of speech ought to be repressed, but to whom are we to commit the power of doing it? -- Benjamin Franklin
He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night. -- Benjamin Franklin
What's a Sun-Dial in the shade? -- Benjamin Franklin
He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing. -- Benjamin Franklin
My rule, in which I have always found satisfaction, is, never to turn aside in public affairs through views of private interest; but to go straight forward in doing what appears to me right at the time, leaving the consequences with Providence. -- Benjamin Franklin
You must always be prepared. Make sure to look at things from all angles. If you are not prepared you will fail. -- Benjamin Franklin
For when you assemble a number of men to have the advantage of their joint wisdom, you inevitably assemble with those men, all their prejudices, their passions, their errors of opinion, their local interests, and their selfish views. From such an assembly can a perfect production be expected? -- Benjamin Franklin
The discontented man finds no easy chair. -- Benjamin Franklin
All things are cheap to the saving, dear to the wasteful -- Benjamin Franklin
God heals, and the doctor takes the fees. -- Benjamin Franklin
Energy and persistence conquer all things. -- Benjamin Franklin
The person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn't know how to read. -- Benjamin Franklin
After all, wedlock is the natural state of man. A bachelor is not a complete human being. He is like the odd half of a pair of scissors, which has not yet found its fellow, and therefore is not even half so useful as they might be together. -- Benjamin Franklin
Money is of a prolific generating nature. Money can beget money, and its offspring can beget more. -- Benjamin Franklin
There are no gains without pains. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that steals the old man's supper does him no wrong. -- Benjamin Franklin
To cease to think creatively is to cease to live -- Benjamin Franklin
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both. -- Benjamin Franklin
There's many witty men whose brains can't fill their bellies. -- Benjamin Franklin
If we lose our Money, it gives us some Concern. If we are cheated or robb'd of it, we are angry: But Money lost may be found; what we are robb'd of may be restored: The Treasure of Time once lost, can never be recovered; yet we squander it as tho' 'twere nothing worth, or we had no Use for it ... -- Benjamin Franklin
Fear not death for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal. -- Benjamin Franklin
There never was a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous. -- Benjamin Franklin
Beer is proof that God loves us. -- Benjamin Franklin
Nothing is more fatal to health than an over care of it. -- Benjamin Franklin
The cat in gloves catches no mice. -- Benjamin Franklin
The most acceptable service of God is doing good to man. -- Benjamin Franklin
To inquisitive minds like yours and mine the reflection that the quantity of human knowledge bears no proportion to the quantity of human ignorance must be in one view rather pleasing, viz., that though we are to live forever we may be continually amused and delighted with learning something new. -- Benjamin Franklin
Pride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy -- Benjamin Franklin
The expenses required to prevent a war are much lighter than those that will, if not prevented, be absolutely necessary to maintain it. -- Benjamin Franklin
Blessed is he that expects nothing, for he shall never be disappointed. expect nothing - get nothing! but expect something - get something!! -- Benjamin Franklin
Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices. -- Benjamin Franklin
It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority. -- Benjamin Franklin
By the word simplicity, is not always meant folly or ignorance; but often, pure and upright Nature, free from artifice, craft or deceitful ornament. -- Benjamin Franklin
Industry, perseverance, and frugality make fortune yield. -- Benjamin Franklin
Our friend and we were invited aboard on a party of pleasure, which is to last forever. His chair was ready first, and he has gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together; and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and know where to find him. -- Benjamin Franklin
Indeed the general natural Tendency of Reading good History, must be, to fix in the Minds of Youth deep Impressions of the Beauty and Usefulness of Virtue of all Kinds, Publick Spirit, Fortitude. -- Benjamin Franklin
No man ought to own more property than needed for his livelihood; the rest, by right, belonged to the state. -- Benjamin Franklin
We must hang together, gentlemen ... else, we shall most assuredly hang separately. -- Benjamin Franklin
We must all hang together or we shall most assuredly all hang separately. -- Benjamin Franklin
If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately. -- Benjamin Franklin
We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately. -- Benjamin Franklin
The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively. -- Benjamin Franklin
Outside Independence Hall when the Constitutional Convention of 1787 ended, Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, "A republic, if you can keep it." -- Benjamin Franklin
The only time a question should be asked is when all other possibilities of finding the answer for yourself have been eliminated. -- Benjamin Franklin
Squeamish stomachs cannot eat without pickles. -- Benjamin Franklin
The nearest I can make it out, "Love your Enemies" means, "Hate your Friends" -- Benjamin Franklin
Finding myself to exist in the world, I believe i shall, in some shape or other, always exist. -- Benjamin Franklin
We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that 'except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it' I firmly believe this; by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a by word down to future ages. -- Benjamin Franklin
If any man flatters me, I'll flatter him again; tho' he were my best Friend. -- Benjamin Franklin
The next thing most like living one's life over again seems to be a recollection of that life, and to make that recollection as durable as possible by putting it down in writing. -- Benjamin Franklin
The wise man draws more advantage from his enemies than the fool from his friends. -- Benjamin Franklin
He's the best physician who knows the worthlessness of most medicines. -- Benjamin Franklin
Why do tomorrow what you can do today? -- Benjamin Franklin
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
[misquote of a letter about wine, see quotes/831031] -- Benjamin Franklin
It might be judged an affront to your understanding should I go about to prove this first principle; the existence of a Diety and that He is the Creator of the universe, for that would suppose you ignorant of what all mankind in all ages have agreed in. -- Benjamin Franklin
Be ashamed to catch yourself idle. -- Benjamin Franklin
Those have a short Lent who owe money to be paid at Easter. -- Benjamin Franklin
A Bible and a newspaper in every house, a good school in every district; all studied and appreciated as they merit; are the principal support of virtue, morality, and civil liberty. -- Benjamin Franklin
Traveling is one way of lengthening life, at least in appearance. -- Benjamin Franklin
Trouble Springs From Idleness. -- Benjamin Franklin
Who pleasure gives, Shall joy receive -- Benjamin Franklin
When you are done changing, you're done. -- Benjamin Franklin
Reader, I wish thee Health, Wealth, Happiness, And may kind Heaven thy Year's Industry bless. -- Benjamin Franklin
Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. -- Benjamin Franklin
Most people dislike vanity in others, whatever share they have of it themselves; -- Benjamin Franklin
He does not possess wealth; it possesses him. -- Benjamin Franklin
Never trust a government that doesn't trust its own citizens with guns. -- Benjamin Franklin
Industry need not wish. -- Benjamin Franklin
An ounce of wit that is bought, Is worth a pound that is taught. -- Benjamin Franklin
Leisure is the time for doing something useful. This leisure the diligent person will obtain the lazy one never. -- Benjamin Franklin
An infallible Remedy for the Tooth-ach, viz Wash the Root of an aching Tooth, in Elder Vinegar, and let it dry half an hour in the Sun; after which it will never ach more; Probatum est. -- Benjamin Franklin
Take heed of the Vinegar of sweet Wine, and the Anger of Good-nature. -- Benjamin Franklin
Tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar. -- Benjamin Franklin
Money makes money. And the money that makes money makes more money. -- Benjamin Franklin
Two passions have powerful influence on the affairs of men: the love of power and the love of money. -- Benjamin Franklin
A cheerful face is nearly as good for an invalid as healthy weather. -- Benjamin Franklin
The best thing to give to your enemy is forgiveness; to an opponent, tolerance; to a friend, your heart; to your child, a good example; to a father, deference; to your mother, conduct that will make her proud of you; to yourself, respect; to all others, charity. -- Benjamin Franklin
An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest. -- Benjamin Franklin
And where is the Prince who can afford to so cover his country with troops for its defense, as that ten thousand men descending from the clouds, might not in many places do an infinite deal of mischief, before a force could be brought together to repel them? -- Benjamin Franklin
Silence is not always a sign of wisdom, but babbling is ever a mark of folly. -- Benjamin Franklin
Time is money' ... Waste it now. Pay for it later! -- Benjamin Franklin
You and I were long friends: you are now my enemy, and I am yours. -- Benjamin Franklin
If you want to keep a secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that is conscious of a stink in his breeches is [suspicious] of every wrinkle in another's nose. -- Benjamin Franklin
Love, Cough, & a Smoke, can't well be hid. -- Benjamin Franklin
Dost thou love life? then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of, -- Benjamin Franklin
I have sometimes almost wished it had been my destiny to be born two or three centuries hence. -- Benjamin Franklin
Contentment makes poor men rich,
Discontent makes rich men poor. -- Benjamin Franklin
Your Business is to shine; therefore you must by all means prevent the shining of others, for their Brightness may make yours the less distinguished. -- Benjamin Franklin
A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body. -- Benjamin Franklin
I say it is impossible that so sensible a people [citizens of Paris], under such circumstances, should have lived so long by the smoky, unwholesome, and enormously expensive light of candles, if they had really known that they might have had as much pure light of the sun for nothing. -- Benjamin Franklin
If thou thinkest twice, before thou speakest once, thou wilt speak twice the better for it. -- Benjamin Franklin
I think with you, that nothing is of more importance for the public weal, than to form and train up youth in wisdom and virtue. Wise and good men are in my opinion, the strength of the state; more so than riches or arms. -- Benjamin Franklin
A highwayman is as much a robber when he plunders in a gang as when single; and a nation that makes an unjust war is only a great gang. -- Benjamin Franklin
If you wish information and improvement from the knowledge of others, and yet at the same time express yourself as firmly fix'd in your present opinions, modest, sensible men, who do not love disputation, will probably leave you undisturbed in the possession of your error. -- Benjamin Franklin
When Wine enters, out goes the Truth. -- Benjamin Franklin
Most fools think they are only ignorant. -- Benjamin Franklin
Suspicion may be no fault, but showing it may be a great one. -- Benjamin Franklin
The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise. -- Benjamin Franklin
Tis easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it. -- Benjamin Franklin
We are more thoroughly an enlightened people, with respect to our political interests, than perhaps any other under heaven. Every man among us reads, and is so easy in his circumstances as to have leisure for conversations of improvement and for acquiring information. -- Benjamin Franklin
We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately.' - Benjamin Franklin -- Benjamin Franklin
It is the man and woman united that makes the complete human being. Separate she lacks his force of body and strength of reason; he her softness, sensibility and acute discernment. Together they are most likely to succeed in the world. -- Benjamin Franklin
Great spenders are bad lenders. -- Benjamin Franklin
Our supper was only half an anchovy each, on a very little strip of bread and butter, and half a pint of ale between us; but the entertainment was in her conversation. -- Benjamin Franklin
Nothing great comes without enthusiasm. -- Benjamin Franklin
Any other, was disgusted, and attended his preaching no more. -- Benjamin Franklin
The ordaining of laws in favor of one part of the nation, to the prejudice and oppression of another, is certainly the most erroneous and mistaken policy. An equal dispensation of protection, rights, privileges, and advantages, is what every part is entitled to, and ought to enjoy. -- Benjamin Franklin
Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them. -- Benjamin Franklin
Christians are directed to have faith in Christ, as the effectual means of obtaining the change they desire. -- Benjamin Franklin
When you are finished changing, you are finished. -- Benjamin Franklin
We constantly change the world, even by our inaction. Therefore, let us change it responsibly. -- Benjamin Franklin
There are three sorts of people in the world: Those who are immovable, people who don't get it, or don't want to do anything about it; there are people who are movable, people who see the need for change and are prepared to listen to it; and there are people who move, people who make things happen. -- Benjamin Franklin
The way to be safe is never to be secure. -- Benjamin Franklin
A change of fortune hurts a wise man no more than a change of the moon. -- Benjamin Franklin
Whoever shall introduce into public affairs the principles of primitive Christianity will change the face of the world. -- Benjamin Franklin
Change is the only constant in life. Ones ability to adapt to those changes will determine your success in life. -- Benjamin Franklin
Anyone can complain, and they should have the right to, but if you want to see change you must act. Actions speak louder than words. Don't complain about things, change things. -- Benjamin Franklin
A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one. -- Benjamin Franklin
Vessels large may venture more, But little boats should keep near shore. -- Benjamin Franklin
How can any Action be meritorious of Praise or Dispraise, Reward or Punishment, when the natural Principle of Self-Love is the only and the irresistible Motive to it? -- Benjamin Franklin
A flatterer never seems absurd: The flatter'd always takes his word. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that is the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money. -- Benjamin Franklin
The best way to see Faith is to shut the eye of Reason. -- Benjamin Franklin
All cats look gray in the dark. -- Benjamin Franklin
Lost Time is never found again. -- Benjamin Franklin
If you judge a book by its cover,a fish will be thinking how stupid it looks its whole life. -- Benjamin Franklin
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN was born in Milk Street, Boston, on January 6, 1706. His father, Josiah Franklin, was a tallow chandler who married twice, and of his seventeen -- Benjamin Franklin
Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste. -- Benjamin Franklin
Each year one vicious habit discarded, in time might make the worst of us good. -- Benjamin Franklin
The apostle Paul very seriously advised Timothy to put some wine in his water for health's sake, but not one of the apostles nor any of the holy fathers have ever recommended putting water in wine -- Benjamin Franklin
Neglect mending a small fault and 'twill soon be a great one. -- Benjamin Franklin
Marry above thy match and you will get a master. -- Benjamin Franklin
There cannot be a stronger natural right than that of a man's making the best profit he can of the natural produce of his lands. -- Benjamin Franklin
The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. They that are on their guard, and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked, than the supine, secure, and negligent. -- Benjamin Franklin
Remember, that six pounds a year is but a groat a day. -- Benjamin Franklin
Hot things, sharp things, sweet things, cold things All rot the teeth, and make them look like old things. -- Benjamin Franklin
And therefore wishing to break a habit I was getting into of prattling, punning, and joking, which only made me acceptable to trifling company, -- Benjamin Franklin
Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor but the highest form of flattery. -- Benjamin Franklin
He who will not be counseled cannot be helped. -- Benjamin Franklin
I was surprised to find myself so much fuller of Faults than I had imagined, but I had the Satisfaction of seeing them diminish. -- Benjamin Franklin
A man being sometimes more generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps thro' fear of being thought to have but little. -- Benjamin Franklin
Don't cry over spilled milk -- Benjamin Franklin
It is foolish to lay out money for the purchase of repentance. -- Benjamin Franklin
A Man of Knowledge like a rich Soil, feeds If not a world of Corn, a world of Weeds. -- Benjamin Franklin
Drink does not drown care, but waters it, and makes it grow faster. -- Benjamin Franklin
Critics are our friends, they show us our faults. -- Benjamin Franklin
The Difficulty lies, in finding out an exact Measure but eat for Necessity, not Pleasure, for Lust knows not where Necessity ends. -- Benjamin Franklin
Read much, but not many books. -- Benjamin Franklin
The happy State of Matrimony is, undoubtedly, the surest and most lasting Foundation of Comfort and Love ... the Cause of all good Order in the World, and what alone preserves it from the utmost Confusion. -- Benjamin Franklin
Virtue alone is sufficient to make a man great, glorious, and happy. -- Benjamin Franklin
A virtuous and industrious people may be cheaply governed. -- Benjamin Franklin
The poor have little; beggars, none; the rich, too much; enough, not one. -- Benjamin Franklin
I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong. -- Benjamin Franklin
The learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearned, but it is still nonsense. -- Benjamin Franklin
Half a truth is often a great lie -- Benjamin Franklin
Pain wastes the Body, Pleasures the Understanding. -- Benjamin Franklin
You made delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again. -- Benjamin Franklin
In going on with these Experiments, how many pretty systems do we build, which we soon find ourselves oblig'd to destroy! If there is no other Use discover'd of Electricity, this, however, is something considerable, that it may help to make a vain Man humble. -- Benjamin Franklin
The doors of wisdom are never shut. -- Benjamin Franklin
Where liberty is, there is my country. -- Benjamin Franklin
The rotten apple spoils his companions. -- Benjamin Franklin
Great beauty, great strength, and great riches are really and truly of no great use; a right heart exceeds all -- Benjamin Franklin
Don't halloo until you're out of the wood. -- Benjamin Franklin
What maintains one vice would bring up two children. -- Benjamin Franklin
I wake up every morning at nine and grab for the morning paper. Then I look at the obituary page. If my name is not on it, I get up. -- Benjamin Franklin
Get what you can, and what you get hold; 'tis the Stone that will turn all your Lead into Gold. -- Benjamin Franklin
I'd rather be a pessimist because then I can only be pleasantly surprised. -- Benjamin Franklin
A new truth is a truth, an old error is an error. -- Benjamin Franklin
If time be of all things most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality, since lost time is never found again; and what we call time enough always proves little enough. Let us then be up and doing, and doing to a purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity -- Benjamin Franklin
Details are but trifles, but details make for perfection, and perfection is no trifle. -- Benjamin Franklin
Take it from Richard, poor and lame, What's begun in anger ends in shame. -- Benjamin Franklin
One today is worth two tomorrows. Lost time is never found again. Time is money. Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff that life is made of. You may delay, but time will not. -- Benjamin Franklin
Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning. -- Benjamin Franklin
He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither. -- Benjamin Franklin
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. -- Benjamin Franklin
Those who trade freedom for safety deserve neither -- Benjamin Franklin
After crosses and losses men grow humbler and wiser. -- Benjamin Franklin
Nothing in the world is certain except for death and taxes. -- Benjamin Franklin
To follow by faith alone is to follow blindly -- Benjamin Franklin
Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure. -- Benjamin Franklin
Love your Neighbour; yet don't pull down your Hedge. -- Benjamin Franklin
Love you Neighbor; yet don't pull down your Hedge. -- Benjamin Franklin
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man. -- Benjamin Franklin
Temperance puts wood on the fire, meal in the barrel, flour in the tub, money in the purse, credit in the country, contentment in the house, clothes on the back, and vigor in the body. -- Benjamin Franklin
I look upon death to be as necessary to our constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning. -- Benjamin Franklin
The good or ill hap of a good or ill life, is the good or ill choice of a good or ill wife. -- Benjamin Franklin
Do good to your friends to keep them,to your enemies to win them. -- Benjamin Franklin
If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some; for he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing, as Poor Richard says; and indeed so does he that lends to such people, when he goes to get it in again. -- Benjamin Franklin
Scarcely was I arrived at fifteen years of age, when, after having doubted in turn of different tenets, according as I found them combated in the different books that I read, I began to doubt of Revelation itself. -- Benjamin Franklin
Notwithstanding my experiments with electricity the thunderbolt continues to fall under our noses and beards; and as for the tyrant, there are a million of us still engaged at snatching away his sceptre. -- Benjamin Franklin
Experience is the best teacher, but a fool will learn from no other. -- Benjamin Franklin
It is prodigious the quantity of good that may be done by one man if he will make a business of it. -- Benjamin Franklin
If Passion drives, let Reason hold the Reins. -- Benjamin Franklin
All the heavenly Bodies, the Stars and Planets, are regulated with the utmost Wisdom! And can we suppose less Care to be taken in the Order of the moral than in the natural System? -- Benjamin Franklin
The height of foolishness is to discard an opportunity without full investigation -- Benjamin Franklin
A man compounded of Law and Gospel, is able to cheat a whole country with his Religion, and then destroy them under Colour of Law. -- Benjamin Franklin
In rivers and bad governments the lightest things swim at top. -- Benjamin Franklin
If we can sleep without dreaming, it is well that painful dreams are avoided. If, while we sleep, we can have any pleasing dreams, it is as the French say, tant gagne, so much added to the pleasure of life. -- Benjamin Franklin
Don't throw stones at your neighbors', if your own windows are glass. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that's content, hath enough; He that complains, has too much. -- Benjamin Franklin
I have lived a long time, sir, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that doth what he should not, shall feel what he would not. -- Benjamin Franklin
There are two ways to increase your wealth. Increase your means or decrease your wants. The best is to do both at the same time. -- Benjamin Franklin
Use now and then a little Exercise a quarter of an Hour before Meals, as to swing a Weight, or swing your Arms about with a small Weight in each Hand; to leap, or the like, for that stirs the Muscles of the Breast. -- Benjamin Franklin
Fools need advice most, but wise men only are the better for it. -- Benjamin Franklin
Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it. -- Benjamin Franklin
The absent are never without fault, nor the present without excuse. -- Benjamin Franklin
Write to Please Yourself. When You write to Please Others You end up Pleasing No one. -- Benjamin Franklin
Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt. -- Benjamin Franklin
For Age and Want save while you may; No morning Sun lasts a whole day. -- Benjamin Franklin
Since thou are not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour. -- Benjamin Franklin
We may perhaps learn to deprive large masses of their gravity and give them absolute levity, for the sake of easy transport. -- Benjamin Franklin
Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away -- Benjamin Franklin
The cause of the South was the cause of constitutional government, the cause of government regulated by law, and the cause of honesty and fidelity in public servants. No nobler cause did man ever fight for! -- Benjamin Franklin
People who are willing to give up freedom for the sake of short term security, deserve neither freedom nor security. -- Benjamin Franklin
Why should Pennsylvania, founded by the English, become a Colony of Aliens, who will shortly be so numerous as to Germanize us instead of our Anglifying them, and will never adopt our Language or Customs, any more than they can acquire our Complexion ... -- Benjamin Franklin
Setting too good an Example is a Kind of slander seldom forgiven. -- Benjamin Franklin
In prosperous fortunes be modest and wise, The greatest may fall, and the lowest may rise: But insolent People that fall in disgrace, Are wretched and nobody pities their Case. -- Benjamin Franklin
Take one thing with another, and the world is a pretty good sort of a world, and it is our duty to make the best of it, and be thankful. -- Benjamin Franklin
The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart. -- Benjamin Franklin
Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one. -- Benjamin Franklin
Many foxes grow gray but few grow good. -- Benjamin Franklin
The notes one of my uncles (who had the same kind of curiosity in collecting family anecdotes) once put into my hands, furnished me with several particulars relating to our ancestors. -- Benjamin Franklin
They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.
- written for the Pennsylvania Assembly in its Reply to the Governor, 11 November 1755 -- Benjamin Franklin
Never leave till tomorrow that which you can do today. -- Benjamin Franklin
Where there is marriage without love, there will be love without marriage. -- Benjamin Franklin
Bargaining has neither friends nor relations. -- Benjamin Franklin
Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn. -- Benjamin Franklin
We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid. -- Benjamin Franklin
Lawyers, Preachers, and Tomtits Eggs, there are more of them hatch'd than come to perfection. -- Benjamin Franklin
When a Religion is good, I conceive that it will support itself; and, when it cannot support itself, and God does not take care to support, so that its Professors are oblig'd to call for the help of the Civil Power, it is a sign, I apprehend, of its being a bad one. -- Benjamin Franklin
Strange secrets are let out by Death Who blabs so oft the follies of this world. -- Benjamin Franklin
It is the will of God and Nature that these mortal bodies be laid aside, when the soul is to enter into real life; 'tis rather an embrio state, a preparation for living; a man is not completely born until he be dead: Why then should we grieve that a new child is born among the immortals? -- Benjamin Franklin
Be studious in your profession, and you will be learned. Be industrious and frugal, and you will be rich. Be sober and temperate, and you will be healthy. Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy. At least you will, by such conduct, stand the be. -- Benjamin Franklin
What is without us has no connection with happiness, only so far as the preservation of our lives and health depends upon it ... Happiness springs immediately from the mind. -- Benjamin Franklin
A man who would sacrifice freedom for security deserves neither. -- Benjamin Franklin
Believe none of what you hear and half of what you see. -- Benjamin Franklin
Necessity is our quickest excuse. -- Benjamin Franklin
Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable. -- Benjamin Franklin
When the well is dry, we know the worth of water. -- Benjamin Franklin
Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. -- Benjamin Franklin
Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure, when he is really selling himself to it. -- Benjamin Franklin
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do -- Benjamin Franklin
If I knew a miser, who gave up every kind of comfortable living, all the pleasure of doing good to others, all the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and the joys of benevolent friendship, for the sake of accumulating wealth. Poor man, said I, you pay too much for your whistle. -- Benjamin Franklin
Hide not your talents, they for use were made,
What's a sundial in the shade? -- Benjamin Franklin
If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy. -- Benjamin Franklin
There's no gain, without pain. -- Benjamin Franklin
As often as we do good, we sacrifice. -- Benjamin Franklin
How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts! -- Benjamin Franklin
Virtue and Happiness are Mother and Daughter. -- Benjamin Franklin
Proclaim not all though knowest, or all though owest. -- Benjamin Franklin
Games lubricate the body and the mind. -- Benjamin Franklin
Who had deceived thee so often as thyself? -- Benjamin Franklin
The purpose of money was to purchase one's freedom to pursue that which is useful and interesting. -- Benjamin Franklin
Moderation in all things - including moderation. -- Benjamin Franklin
To be humble to superiors is a duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness. -- Benjamin Franklin
Those who are fear'd, are hated. -- Benjamin Franklin
Promises may fit the friends, but non performance will turn them into enemies. -- Benjamin Franklin
So much for industry, my friends, and attention to one's own business; but to these we must add frugality if we would make our industry more certainly successful. A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his nose all his life to the grindstone, and die not worth a grout at last. -- Benjamin Franklin
A policy of life insurance is the cheapest and safest mode of making a certain provision for one's family. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that raises a large family does, indeed, while he lives to observe them, stand a broader mark for sorrow; but then he stands a broader mark for pleasure too. -- Benjamin Franklin
Don't think so much of your own Cunning, as to forget other Men's; a Cunning Man is overmatched by a cunning Man and a Half. -- Benjamin Franklin
There are in life real evils enough and it is folly to afflict ourselves with imaginary ones. -- Benjamin Franklin
The borrower is slave to the lender and the debtor to the creditor. -- Benjamin Franklin
Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults. -- Benjamin Franklin
several of us were corrected by our fathers; and though I pleaded the usefulness of the work, mine convinced me that nothing was useful which was not honest. -- Benjamin Franklin
Taxes are indeed very heavy -
We are taxed twice as much by our Idleness.
Three times as much by our Pride.
And four times as much by our Folly. -- Benjamin Franklin
It's better to swim in the sea below
Than to swing in the air and feed the crow,
Says jolly Ned Teach of Bristol. -- Benjamin Franklin
Never spare the parson's wine nor the baker's pudding -- Benjamin Franklin
Bad gains are true losses. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that blows the coals in quarrels that he has nothing to do with, has no right to complain if the sparks fly in his face. - Ben Franklin -- Benjamin Franklin
As I am not fond of giving advice,having seldom seen it taken -- Benjamin Franklin
Be temperate in wine, in eating, girls, & sloth; Or the Gout will seize you and plague you both. -- Benjamin Franklin
Unless the Stream of their Importation could be turned ... they will soon so outnumber us, that all the advantages we have, will not in my Opinion be able to preserve our Language, and even our Government will become precarious. -- Benjamin Franklin
Many estates are spent in the getting, since women for tea forsake spinning and knitting, and men for punch forsake hewing and splitting. -- Benjamin Franklin
If you were a servant would you not be ashamed that a good master should catch you idle? Then if you are your own master be ashamed to catch yourself idle. -- Benjamin Franklin
A wolf eats sheep but now and then, ten Thousands are devour'd by Men. -- Benjamin Franklin
Beauty and folly are old companions. -- Benjamin Franklin
God grant that not only the love of liberty but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all the nations of the earth, so that anybody may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say: 'This is my country! -- Benjamin Franklin
Much Virtue in Herbs, little in Men. -- Benjamin Franklin
Never contradict anybody. -- Benjamin Franklin
Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are. -- Benjamin Franklin
Scarcely have I ever heard or read the introductory phrase, "I may say without vanity," but some striking and characteristic instance of vanity has immediately followed. -- Benjamin Franklin
I think opinions should be judged by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded that he holds none that are dangerous, which I hope is the case with me. -- Benjamin Franklin
From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books. Pleased with the 'Pilgrim's Progress,' my first collection was of John Bunyan's works in separate little volumes. -- Benjamin Franklin
Those who laugh often never grow old. -- Benjamin Franklin
Man will ultimately be governed by God or by tyrants. -- Benjamin Franklin
To the generous mind the heaviest debt is that of gratitude, when it is not in our power to repay it. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that takes a wife, takes care -- Benjamin Franklin
A perfect character might be attended with the inconvenience of being envied and hated; and that a benevolent man should allow a few faults in himself, to keep his friends in countenance. -- Benjamin Franklin
Practice makes perfect. -- Benjamin Franklin
There was never a good war, or a bad peace. -- Benjamin Franklin
Silence - Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. -- Benjamin Franklin
In the 1770s, when he was in Paris, Benjamin Franklin witnessed the flight of one of the first hot-air balloons. As the balloon soared into the air, someone asked Franklin: "What good is it?" Franklin responded: "What good is a new-born baby? -- Benjamin Franklin
Let no pleasure tempt thee, no profit allure thee, no ambition corrupt thee, to do anything which thou knowest to be evil; so shalt thou always live jollily; for a good conscience is a continual Christmas. -- Benjamin Franklin
Democracy is like having two wolves and a lamb decide what is for dinner. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that can take rest is greater than he that can take cities. -- Benjamin Franklin
Idleness is the Dead Sea that swallows all virtues. Be active in business, that temptation may miss her aim; the bird that sits is easily shot. -- Benjamin Franklin
An education is the investment with the greatest returns. -- Benjamin Franklin
An investment in education always pays the highest returns. -- Benjamin Franklin
Give me yesterday's bread, this day's flesh, and last year's cider -- Benjamin Franklin
Vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful. -- Benjamin Franklin
Revealed religion has no weight with me. -- Benjamin Franklin
Men and Melons are hard to know. -- Benjamin Franklin
Many would live by their Wits, but break for want of Stock. -- Benjamin Franklin
Discourses were chiefly either polemic arguments or explications of the peculiar doctrines of our sect, and were all to me very dry, uninteresting, and unedifying, since not a single moral principle was inculcated or enforced, their aim seeming to be rather to make us Presbyterians than good -- Benjamin Franklin
The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself. -- Benjamin Franklin
I wish to live without committing any fault at any time. -- Benjamin Franklin
Here Skugg lies snug As a bug in a rug. -- Benjamin Franklin
The devil wipes his breech with poor folks' pride. -- Benjamin Franklin
Death takes no bribes. -- Benjamin Franklin
Innocence is its own defense. -- Benjamin Franklin
Many have been ruined by buying good Pennyworths. -- Benjamin Franklin
In 1736 I lost one of my sons, a fine boy of four years old, by the small-pox, taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly, and still regret that I had not given it to him by inoculation. -- Benjamin Franklin
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. -- Benjamin Franklin
There are three faithful friends, an old wife, an old dog, and ready money. -- Benjamin Franklin
How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them. -- Benjamin Franklin
Love and toothache have many cures, but none infallible, except possession and dispossession. -- Benjamin Franklin
Dangerous, therefore, is it to take shelter under a tree, during a thunder-gust. It has been fatal to many, both men and beasts. -- Benjamin Franklin
Persons of good sense, I have since observed, seldom fall into disputation, except lawyers, university men, and men of all sorts that have been bred at Edinburgh. -- Benjamin Franklin
Masonic ideas are the precious jewels of Speculative Masons; the should be kept bright and sparkling for all the brethren to see and to admire. As such, they should be the special care of Masonic leaders particularly those who teach and interpret the philosophy of Freemasonry. -- Benjamin Franklin
It is the religion of ignorance that tyranny begins. -- Benjamin Franklin
The good will of the governed will be starved if not fed by the good deeds of the governors. -- Benjamin Franklin
Do good to thy friend to keep him, to thy enemy to gain him. -- Benjamin Franklin
Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy. -- Benjamin Franklin
Hunger never saw bad bread. -- Benjamin Franklin
While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us. -- Benjamin Franklin
Keep out of the Sight of Feasts and Banquets as much as may be; for 'tis more difficult to refrain good Cheer, when it's present, than from the Desire of it when it is away; the like you may observe in the Objects of all the other Senses. -- Benjamin Franklin
Dally not with other folk's spouses or money. -- Benjamin Franklin
Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. -- Benjamin Franklin
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen.
Keep in the sunlight. -- Benjamin Franklin
Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee. Poor Richard -- Benjamin Franklin
Make yourself sheep and the wolves will eat you. -- Benjamin Franklin
Better is little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure, and trouble therewith. -- Benjamin Franklin
I fear the man who drinks water and so remembers this morning what the rest of us said last night -- Benjamin Franklin
Remember that credit is money. -- Benjamin Franklin
I am captivated more by dreams of the future then history of the past. -- Benjamin Franklin
Genius without education is like silver in the mine. -- Benjamin Franklin
My companion at the press drank every day a pint before breakfast, a pint at breakfast with his bread and cheese, a pint between breakfast and dinner, a pint at dinner, a pint in the afternoon about six o'clock, and another when he had done his day's work. -- Benjamin Franklin
I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning ... -- Benjamin Franklin
If thou hast wit and learning, add to it wisdom and modesty. -- Benjamin Franklin
Remember, Sir, that [England] began the slave trade! -- Benjamin Franklin
The madness of mobs or the insolence of soldiers, or both, when too near to each other, occasion some mischief. -- Benjamin Franklin
A little neglect may breed mischief; for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want a horse the rider was lost; for want of the rider the battle was lost. -- Benjamin Franklin
When the well is dry, people know the worth of water. [so appreciate what you have while you have it] -- Benjamin Franklin
Genius is nothing but a greater aptitude for patience. -- Benjamin Franklin
In order to be happy you need a good dog, a good woman, and ready money. -- Benjamin Franklin
Fish and visitors smell in three days. -- Benjamin Franklin
The only certain things in life are death and taxes! -- Benjamin Franklin
Private property ... is the creature of society and is subject to the calls of that society even to the last farthing. -- Benjamin Franklin
He who drinks his cider alone, let him catch his horse alone. -- Benjamin Franklin
God works wonders now and then; Behold a lawyer, an honest man. -- Benjamin Franklin
Ill customs and bad advice are seldom forgotten. -- Benjamin Franklin
It is better to take many injuries than to give one. -- Benjamin Franklin
At 20 years of age the Will reigns; at 30 the Wit; at 40 the Judgment. -- Benjamin Franklin
It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one tenth part. -- Benjamin Franklin
Some people die at age 25 and aren't buried until they are 75. -- Benjamin Franklin
Most men die at 25, we just don't bury them until they are 70. -- Benjamin Franklin
Anyone who trades liberty for security deserves neither liberty nor security. -- Benjamin Franklin
Eat to please thyself, but dress to please others. -- Benjamin Franklin
Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none. -- Benjamin Franklin
Speak with contempt of none, from slave to king, The meanest Bee hath, and will use, a sting. -- Benjamin Franklin
If a man would reap praise, you must sow the seeds, gentle words and useful deeds. -- Benjamin Franklin
He that spends a Groat a day idly, spends idly above 6 l. a year, which is the Price of using 100 l. -- Benjamin Franklin
There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government. -- Benjamin Franklin
If you would be remembered, write a book worth the reading or live a life worth the writing about. -- Benjamin Franklin
Till we are uneasy in Rest, we can have no Desire to move, and without Desire of moving there can be no voluntary Motion. -- Benjamin Franklin
Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have either one. -- Benjamin Franklin
Beware of little expenses; A small leak will sink a great ship, as Poor Richard says; and again, Who dainties love, shall beggars prove; and moreover, Fools make feasts, and wise men eat them. -- Benjamin Franklin
The one who fails to prepare is preparing to fail. -- Benjamin Franklin
The man who trades freedom for security does not deserve nor will he ever receive either. -- Benjamin Franklin
Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one. -- Benjamin Franklin
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. -- Benjamin Franklin
Blame-all and Praise-all are two blockheads. -- Benjamin Franklin
Life biggest tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late -- Benjamin Franklin
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it. -- Benjamin Franklin
No employment can be managed without arithmetic, no mechanical invention without geometry. -- Benjamin Franklin
Great talkers are little doers. -- Benjamin Franklin