A man is sometimes more generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps through fear of being thought to have but little.
Benjamin FranklinOne of the greatest tragedies of life is the murder of a beautiful theory by a gang of brutal facts.
Benjamin FranklinIn short, the way to wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the way to market. It depends chiefly on two works, industry and frugality.
Benjamin FranklinBut they have two other Rights; those of sitting when they please, and as long as they please, in which methinks they have the advantage of your Parliament; for they cannot be dissolved by the Breath of a Minister, or sent packing as you were the other day, when it was your earnest desire to have remained longer together.
Benjamin FranklinThat as we enjoy great advantages from the inventions of others, we should be glad of an opportunity to serve others by any invention of ours, and this we should do freely and generously.
Benjamin FranklinArguing is a game that two can play at. But it is a strange game in that neither opponent ever wins.
Benjamin FranklinTake the money in your wallet and invest it in your mind. And in return, your mind will fill up your wallet!
Benjamin FranklinIt might be judged an affront to your understanding should I go about to prove this first principle; the existence of a Diety and that He is the Creator of the universe, for that would suppose you ignorant of what all mankind in all ages have agreed in.
Benjamin FranklinBy heaven we understand a state of happiness infinite in degree, and endless in duration.
Benjamin FranklinIt is the man and woman united that makes the complete human being. Separate she lacks his force of body and strength of reason; he her softness, sensibility and acute discernment. Together they are most likely to succeed in the world.
Benjamin FranklinGain 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.
Benjamin FranklinSlavery is such an atrocious debasement of human nature, that its very extirpation, if not performed with solicitous care, may sometimes open a source of serious evils.
Benjamin FranklinHe that blows the coals in quarrels that he has nothing to do with, has no right to complain if the sparks fly in his face. - Ben Franklin
Benjamin FranklinWithout Freedom of thought there can be no such thing as wisdom;and no such thing as public liberty, without freedom of speech.
Benjamin FranklinAn iron rod being placed on the outside of a building from the highest part continued down into the moist earth, in any direction strait or crooked, following the form of the roof or other parts of the building, will receive the lightning at its upper end, attracting it so as to prevent it's striking any other part; and, affording it a good conveyance into the earth, will prevent its damaging any part of the building.
Benjamin FranklinAnd whether you're an honest man, or whether you're a thief, depends on whose solicitor has given me my brief.
Benjamin FranklinI scarce ever heard or saw the introductory words, "Without vanity I may say," etc., but some vain thing immediately followed.
Benjamin FranklinAmbition has its disappointments to sour us, but never the good fortune to satisfy us. Its appetite grows keener by indulgence and all we can gratify it with at present serves but the more to inflame its insatiable desires.
Benjamin Franklin