Benjamin Franklin Quotes

As sore places meet most rubs, proud folks meet most affronts.

Thou can'st not joke an enemy into a friend, but thou may'st a friend into an enemy.

Liberality is not giving much, but giving wisely.

Old boys have their playthings as well as young ones; the difference is only in the price.

Half-wits talk much, but say little.

A dying man can do nothing easy.

What is a butterfly? At best He's but a caterpiller drest. The gaudy Fop's his picture just.

Not to oversee workmen is to leave them your purse open.

Industry and frugality, as the means of procuring wealth . . . thereby [secures] virtue, it being more difficult for a man in want to act always honestly. . . .

Many would live by their Wits, but break for want of Stock.

He that by the Plough would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive.

Willows are weak, but they bind the Faggot.

Drink does not drown care, but waters it, and makes it grow faster.

Mary's mouth cost her nothing for she never opens it but at others' expense.

When befriended, remember it; when you befriend, forget it.

Love of country is the Mason's deed; world citizenship is his thought.

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.

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.

I have been apt to think that there has never been, nor ever will be, any such thing as a good war, or a bad peace.

A fine genius in his own country is like gold in the mine.

Philosophy as well as foppery often changes fashion.

He that resolves to mend hereafter, resolves not to mend now.

Quarrels never could last long, if on one side only lay the wrong.

What's a Sun-Dial in the shade?

That which resembles most living one's life over again, seems to be to recall all the circumstances of it; and, to render this remembrance more durable, to record them in writing.

None are deceived but they that confide.

In other men we faults can spy,/ And blame the mote that dims their eye;/ Each little speck and blemish find;/ To our own stronger errors blind.

It is a bad temper of mind that takes delight in opposition.

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

The problem with common sense is, it isn't.

I have sometimes almost wished it had been my destiny to be born two or three centuries hence.

When you are in debt, then you are a slave.

After getting the first hundred pounds, it is more easy to get the second.

Spare when young, and spend when old.

Religion I found to be without any tendency to inspire, promote, or confirm morality, serves principally to divide us and make us unfriendly to one another.

Why should I give my Readers bad lines of my own when good ones of other People's are so plenty?

Passion governs, and she never governs wisely.

Great talkers are little doers.

As often as we do good, we sacrifice.

The foundation of all happiness in thinking rightly.

There is always room for the man of force.

When men are employed they are best contented.

Thinking aloud is a habit which is responsible for most of mankind's misery.

I have found Christian dogma unintelligible.

Rules too soft are seldomly followed; rules too harsh are seldomly executed.

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?

Vice knows [its] ugly, so [it] puts on [a] mask.

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.

Ill customs and bad advice are seldom forgotten.

A man compounded of law and gospel is able to cheat a whole country with his religion and then destroy them under color of law