Benjamin Franklin Quotes

No man ought to own more property than needed for his livelihood; the rest, by right, belonged to the state.

The key that unlocks a door is a key to keep if you want to go through that door again.

I early found that when I worked for myself alone, myself alone worked for me; but when I worked for others also, others worked also for me.

Do well by doing good.

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

Evil, as evil, can never be chosen; and though evil is often the effect of our own choice, yet we never desire it but under the appearance of an imaginary good.

Marry your son when you will, but you daughter when you can.

He gives twice that gives soon, i.e., he will soon be called to give again.

Oh the wonderful knowledge to be found in the stars. Even the smallest things are written there ... if you had but skill to read.

Let me resolve to be virtuous, that I may be happy, that I may please Him, who is delighted to see me happy. Amen.

The best way to help the poor is to make them uncomfortable in their own poverty.

Some make Conscience of wearing a Hat in the Church, who make none of robbing the Altar.

The purpose of money was to purchase one's freedom to pursue that which is useful and interesting.

I am the laziest man in the world. I invented all those things to save myself from toil.

People who are willing to give up freedom for the sake of short term security, deserve neither freedom nor security.

Give me 26 lead soldiers and I will conquer the world.

Time is money, be a better you.

By the word simplicity, is not always meant folly or ignorance; but often, pure and upright Nature, free from artifice, craft or deceitful ornament.

What one relishes, nourishes.

People who are wrapped up in themselves make small packages.

Vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful.

So convenient a thing to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for every thing one has a mind to do.

The greatest monarch on the proudest throne is obliged to sit upon his own arse.

Little leaks sink the ship.

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.

The only time a question should be asked is when all other possibilities of finding the answer for yourself have been eliminated.

Can anything be constant in a world which is eternally changing?

An old man in a house is a good sign.

But our great security lies, I think, in our growing strength.

Laws without morals are in vain.

Pride is said to be the last vice the good man gets clear of.

A bargain is something you have to find a use for once you have bought it.

Nature performs the cure, the physician takes the fee.

Praise little, dispraise less.

Enjoy the present hour, be mindful of the past; And neither fear nor wish the Approaches of the last. Learn of the skillful: He that teaches himself, hath a fool for his master.

Quacks are the greatest liars in the world except their patients.

Let the experiment be made.

He that is conscious of a stink in his breeches is [suspicious] of every wrinkle in another's nose.

Death takes no bribes.

You cannot always run from a weakness. You must sometime fight it out or perish.

Rich widows are the only secondhand goods that sell at first-class prices.

The devil wipes his breech with poor folks' pride.

Nothing is so tiresome to one's self, as well as so odious to others, as disguise and affectation.

Bad gains are true losses.

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.

The church, the state, and the poor, are 3 daughters which we should maintain, but not portion off.

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

Great talkers should be cropt, for they've no need of ears.

Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." He planned his routine around waking up at 5 a.m. and asking himself "What good shall I do this day?

Love well, whip well.