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BENJAMIN FRANKLIN QUOTES

American publisher, inventor, scientist and diplomat (1706-1790)

There never was a good war, or a bad peace.

Time is money.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Advice to Young Tradesmen

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Letter to Jean Baptiste Le Roy, 13 Nov. 1789

Early to bed, and early to rise,
Makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac, 1735

Success has ruined many a man.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1752

Necessity never made a good bargain.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1735

Marry'd in haste, we oft repent at leisure.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac

Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, The Way to Wealth

God helps them that helps themselves.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac

Without Freedom of Thought, there can be no such thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of Speech.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, The New England Courant, Jul. 9, 1722

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

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac, July 1735

Trust thy self, and another shall not betray thee.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1739

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac

To lengthen thy life lessen thy meals.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac

God heals and the doctor takes the fees.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1736

If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some; for he that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac

No nation was ever ruined by trade.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Thoughts on Commercial Subjects

Whate'ers begun in anger ends in shame.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1734

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

He that lives upon hope will die fasting.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac, preface, 1758

A countryman between 2 Lawyers, is like a fish between two cats.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1737

Little strokes fell great oaks.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac, Aug. 1750

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

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1743

There never was a good war, or a bad peace.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, letter to Quincey, Sep. 11, 1783

Saying and Doing, have quarrel'd and parted.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1756

The Game of Chess is not merely an idle amusement; several very valuable qualities of the mind, useful in the course of human life, are to be acquired and strengthened by it, so as to become habits ready on all occasions; for life is a kind of Chess, in which we have often points to gain, and competitors or adversaries to contend with, and in which there is a vast variety of good and ill events, that are, in some degree, the effect of prudence, or the want of it. By playing at Chess then, we may learn: 1st, Foresight, which looks a little into futurity, and considers the consequences that may attend an action ... 2nd, Circumspection, which surveys the whole Chess-board, or scene of action: - the relation of the several Pieces, and their situations; ... 3rd, Caution, not to make our moves too hastily.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, "The Morals of Chess"

Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote!

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Reading makes a full Man, Meditation a profound Man, Discourse a clear Man.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738

Pride that dines on vanity, sups on contempt.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, "The Way to Wealth," The Life and Essays of Dr. Benjamin Franklin

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

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanac

Keep the eyes wide open before marriage and half shut afterwards.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, attributed, Wise Words and Quotes

Laws like to Cobwebs catch small Flies,
Great ones break thro' before your eyes.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1734

Wink at small faults; remember thou hast great ones.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738

There are no fools so troublesome as those that have wit.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1741

In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

In 200 years will people remember us as traitors or heros? That is the question we must ask.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, letter to Thomas Jefferson, Mar. 16, 1775

I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country; he is a bird of bad moral 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.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, letter to Sarah Bache, Jan. 26, 1784

Beware of meat twice boil'd, and an old foe reconcil'd.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1733

The most exquisite Folly is made of Wisdom spun too fine.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1746

He that falls in love with himself, will have no Rivals.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1739

Great Estates may venture more,
But little Boats should keep near Shore.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1758

If you would not be forgotten
As soon as you are dead and rotten,
Either write things worth reading,
Or do things worth the writing.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1738

Better slip with foot than tongue.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1734

The Doors of Wisdom are never shut.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Poor Richard's Almanack, 1755

Browse Benjamin Franklin Quotes II

Browse Benjamin Franklin Quotes III

Browse Benjamin Franklin Quotes IV

Browse Benjamin Franklin Quotes V

Benjamin Franklin Poems - a collection of his poetry.

Benjamin Franklin Bibliography - a bibliography, including list of biographical resources.


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