Benjamin Franklin Quotes

What is the use of a new-born child ?

Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy.

Pen, wax and parchment govern the world.

If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone.

God works wonders now and then; Behold a lawyer, an honest man.

The art of acting consists in keeping people from coughing.

Sloth and Silence are a Fool's Virtues

Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.

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

Words may show a man's wit but actions his meaning.

A nod from a lord is a breakfast for a fool.

He was so learned that he could name a horse in nine languages; so ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on.

I never turned to drink. It seemed to turn to me.

Those who desire to give up freedom in order to gain security will not have either one.

While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us.

If you want a thing done - go. If not - send.

If a man empties his purse into his head, no one can take it from him.

Many foxes grow gray but few grow good.

He that pursues two hares at once, does not catch one and lets the other go.

Your best investment is to pour your purse into your head, and no one can take it away from you.

He that would fish, must venture his bait.

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.

Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power.

Constant complaint is the poorest sort of pay for all the comforts we enjoy.

There are lazy minds as well as lazy bodies.

There are many roads to success, but only one sure road to failure; and that is to try to please everyone else.

We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.

When Wine enters, out goes the Truth.

Tomorrow, every Fault is to be amended; but that Tomorrow never comes.

A penny saved is twopence dear; A pin a day 's a groat a year.

Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes it.

Remember that credit is money.

Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging one make you but even with him; forgiving it sets you above him.

I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth — that God governs in the affairs of men.

Let the child's first lesson be obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.

Lost time is never found again, and what we call time enough, always proves little enough.

He that waits upon fortune, is never sure of a dinner.

No nation was ever ruined by trade.

Moses lifting up his wand, and dividing the Red Sea, and Pharaoh in his chariot overwhelmed with the waters. This motto: "Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God."

He that won't be counseled can't be helped.

'Tis more noble to forgive, and more manly to despise, than to revenge an Injury.

Bargaining has neither friends nor relations.

Those who in quarrels interpose, must often wipe a bloody nose.

Are you angry that others disappoint you? Remember you cannot depend upon yourself.

Little boats should keep near shore

Since thou are not sure of a minute, throw not away an hour.

Gain may be temporary and uncertain; but ever while you live, expense is constant and certain: and it is easier to build two chimneys than to keep one in fuel.

We are more heavily taxed by our idleness, pride and folly than we are taxed by government.

Fear not death; for the sooner we die, the longer shall we be immortal.

An Egg to day is better than a Hen to-morrow.