It is much to be lamented that a man of Franklin's general good character and great influence should have been an unbeliever in Christianity, and also have done as much as he did to make others unbelievers.

O powerful goodness! Bountiful Father! Merciful Guide! Increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. Strengthen my resolution to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favours to me.

Write with the learned, pronounce with the vulgar.

All cats are gray in the dark.

Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed.

Make yourself sheep and the wolves will eat you.

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