Benjamin Franklin Quotes (733 Quotes)

Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man.

Lovers, Travellers, and Poets, will give money to be heard

The discontented man finds no easy chair.

Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.

He that displays too often his wife and his wallet is in danger of having both of them borrowed.

Lend money to an enemy, and thou will gain him, to a friend and thou will lose him.

Diligence is the mother of good luck, and God gives all things to industry.

A little neglect may breed great mischief, '... for want of a nail, the shoe was lost for want of a shoe the horse was lost and for want of a horse the rider was lost.'

As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his divinity tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and I think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble.

To be proud of virtue is to poison oneself with the antidote.

If a man empties his purse into his head, no man can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

When in doubt, don't.

I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country he is a bird of bad immoral character like those among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor, and often very lousy. The turkey is a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America.

What signifies knowing the names, if you know not the nature of things.

Truth and sincerity have a certain distinguishing native lustre about them which cannot be perfectly counterfeited they are like fire and flame, that cannot be painted.

A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his nose to the grindstone.

Interest which blinds some People, enlightens others.

Leisure is the time for doing something useful. This leisure the diligent person will obtain the lazy one never.

Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.

If you want something done, ask a busy person.

Never trust a government that doesn't trust its own citizens with guns.

No longer virtuous no longer free is a Maxim as true with regard to a private Person as a Common-wealth.

The nearest I can make it out, Love your Enemies means, Hate your Friends

Don't overload Gratitude if you do, she'll kick.

Money and good Manners make the Gentleman.

A Traveller should have a hog's nose, deer's legs, and an ass's back

Ere you consult your fancy, consult your purse.

I am lord of myself, accountable to none.

If you'd lose a troublesome Visitor, lend him Money.

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.

None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.

Poverty, Poetry, and new Titles of Honor, make Men ridiculous

Wife from thy Spouse each blemish hide More than from all the World beside Let DECENCY be all thy Pride.

Hide not your talents. They for use were made. What's a sundial in the shade?

He that rises late must trot all day.

Life is rather a state of embryo, a preparation for life A man is not completely born till he has passed through death.

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

A wicked Hero will turn his back to an innocent coward.

Diligence overcomes difficulties, sloth makes them.

A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.

Certainty? In this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.

Passion governs, and she never governs wisely.

An innocent Plowman is more worthy than a vicious Prince.

I hope... that mankind will at length, as they call themselves reasonable creatures, have reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats for in my opinion there never was a good war, or a bad peace.

Sloth, like rust, consumes faster than labor wears, while the key often used is always bright.

Each year, one vicious habit rooted in time ought to make the worst man good.

It is a grand mistake to think of being great without goodness and I pronounce it as certain that there was never a truly great man that was not at the same time truly virtuous.

A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small bundle.

To bear other people's afflictions, everyone has courage and enough to spare.

A soft Tongue may strike hard.