It's better to swim in the sea below Than to swing in the air and feed the crow, Says jolly Ned Teach of Bristol.
Benjamin FranklinA house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.
Benjamin FranklinThe good or ill hap of a good or ill life, is the good or ill choice of a good or ill wife.
Benjamin FranklinWhen men differ in opinion, both sides ought equally to have the advantage of being heard by the public; when Truth and Error have fair play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter.
Benjamin FranklinAn 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.
Benjamin FranklinA ship under sail and a big-bellied woman, Are the handsomest two things that can be seen common.
Benjamin FranklinPride is as loud a beggar as want, and a great deal more saucy. When you have bought one fine thing, you must buy ten more, that your appearance may be all of a piece; but it is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.
Benjamin FranklinI believe in one God, Creator of the Universe in that He ought to be whipped from pilar to post and back again for His shameful actions toward Humanity.
Benjamin FranklinThe great secret of succeeding in conversation is to admire little, to hear much; always to distrust our own reason, and sometimes that of our friends; never to pretend to wit, but to make that of others appear as much as possibly we can; to hearken to what is said and to answer to the purpose.
Benjamin FranklinMasonic labor is purely a labor of love. He who seeks to draw Masonic wages in gold and silver will be disappointed. The wages of a Mason are in the dealings with one another; sympathy begets sympathy, kindness begets kindness, helpfulness begets helpfulness, and these are the wages of a Mason.
Benjamin FranklinIf a man would reap praise, you must sow the seeds, gentle words and useful deeds.
Benjamin FranklinNothing's so apt to undermine your confidence in a product as knowing that the commercial selling it has been approved by the company that makes it.
Benjamin FranklinTricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that don't have brains enough to be honest.
Benjamin FranklinYou have two choices, write about something of significance or do something someone wants to write about.
Benjamin FranklinIn these sentiments, sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, if they are such; because I think a General Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government, but what may be a blessing to the people if well administered; and believe further, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.
Benjamin FranklinOur Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.
Benjamin Franklin[E]very Man who comes among us, and takes up a piece of Land, becomes a Citizen, and by our Constitution has a Voice in Elections, and a share in the Government of the Country.
Benjamin FranklinHot things, sharp things, sweet things, cold things All rot the teeth, and make them look like old things.
Benjamin FranklinThe US Constitution only guarantees your rights as a citizen, it doesn't guarantee happiness. It may take work, but if you have your rights, happiness is very possible.
Benjamin FranklinIn Truth I found myself incorrigible with respect to Order; and now I am grown old, and my Memory bad, I feel very sensibly the want of it.
Benjamin FranklinThere was great difference in persons; and discretion did not always accompany years, nor was youth always without it.
Benjamin FranklinGrievances cannot be redressed until they are known; and they cannot be known but through complaints and petitions. If these are deemed affronts, and the messengers punished as offenders, who will henceforth send petitions? And who will deliver them? Wise governments encouraged the airing of grievances, even those that were lightly founded Foolish governments did the opposite - to their peril. Where complaining is a crime, hope becomes despair.
Benjamin Franklin