Benjamin Franklin Quotes (733 Quotes)

After three days men grow weary, of a wench, a guest, and weather rainy.

At the workman's house hunger looks in, but dares not enter

Where yet was ever found the Mother, Who'd change her booby for another

You and I were long friends you are now my enemy, and I am yours.

Three can keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

There's small revenge in words, But words may be greatly revenged.

Tell a miser he's rich, and a woman she's old, you'll get no money of one, nor kindness of t'other

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.

The most exquisite folly is made of wisdom too fine spun

He is not well bred, that cannot bear ill breeding in others

Friends and neighbors, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on by the government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them but we have many others, and much more grievous to some of us. We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly and from these taxes the commissioners cannot ease or deliver us by allowing abatement.

He's a Fool that cannot conceal his Wisdom.

If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins.

A large train makes a light Purse.

Distrust and caution are the parents of security.

Women and wine, game and deceit, make the wealth small, and the want great

Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.

Caesar did not merit the triumphal Car, more than he that conquers himself.

Drive thy business, let not that drive thee.

Trickery and treachery are the practices of fools that have not wits enough to be honest.

On being asked what condition of man he considered the most pitiable A lonesome man on a rainy day who does not know how to read.

Life with fools consists in drinking with the wise man, thinking.

At the working man's house hunger looks in but dares not enter.

I saw few die of hunger; of eating, a hundred thousand.

What maintains one vice would bring up two children.

For want of a nail the shoe was lost, For want of a shoe the horse was lost, For want of a horse the rider was lost, Forwant of a rider the battle was lost, For want of a battle the kingdom was lost, And all for the want of a horse.

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.

Cold cunning come from the north But cunning sans wisdom is nothing worth.

Vessels large may venture more, But little boats should keep near shore.

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.

I believe long habits of virtue have a sensible effect on the countenance.

He that's secure is not safe.

The honest man takes pains, and then enjoys pleasures the knave takes pleasure, and then suffers pain.

Those things that hurt, instruct.

It is the observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind, and that we are fighting for their liberty in defending our own

The proof of gold is fire....

It is as truly folly for the poor to ape the rich, as for the frog to swell, in order to equal the ox

If what most men admire, they would despise, 'Twould look as if mankind were growing wise

Poverty often deprives a man of all spirit and virtue it is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.

When a religion is good, I conceive that it will support, itself and when it does not support itself, and God does not take care to support it, so that its professors are obliged to call for help of the civil power, 'tis a sign, I apprehend, of its

Every time an artist dies, part of the vision of mankind passes with him.

Love well, whip well.

Many have been ruined by buying good pennyworths.

Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt.

It's the easiest Thing in the World for a Man to deceive himself.

The good or ill hap of a good or ill life, is the good or ill choice of a good or ill wife.

Never confuse motion with action.

Some punishment seems preparing for a people who are ungratefully abusing the best constitution and the best King any nation was ever blessed with, intent on nothing but luxury, licentiousness, power, places, pensions, and plunder while the ministry, divided in their counsels, with little regard for each other, worried by perpetual oppositions, in continual apprehension of changes, intent on securing popularity in case they should lose favor, have for some years past had little time or inclination to attend to our small affairs, whose remoteness makes them appear even smaller.

Came you from Court for in your Mien, A self-important air is seen.

The sleeping fox catches no poultry.