By the word simplicity, is not always meant folly or ignorance; but often, pure and upright Nature, free from artifice, craft or deceitful ornament.
Benjamin FranklinA single man has not nearly the value he would have in a state of union. He is an incomplete animal. He resembles the odd half of a pair of scissors.
Benjamin FranklinHe that has done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.
Benjamin FranklinYou must not, when you have gained a victory, use any triumphing or insulting expressions, nor show too much of the pleasure you feel; but endeavour to console your adversary, and make him less dissatisfied with himself by every kind and civil expression that may be used with truth; such as, you understand the game better than I, but you are a little inattentive, or, you play too fast; or, you had the best of the game, but something happened to divert your thoughts, and that turned it in my favour.
Benjamin FranklinThe greatest inventions are those inquiries which tend to increase the power of man over matter.
Benjamin FranklinIt is the working man who is the happy man. It is the idle man who is the miserable man.
Benjamin FranklinTis against some mens principle to pay interest, and seems against others interest to pay the principle.
Benjamin FranklinAs to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the World ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting Changes; and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity.
Benjamin Franklin[T]he more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer . . . [taking] away from before their eyes the greatest of all inducements to industry, frugality, and sobriety, by giving them a dependence of somewhat else than a careful accumulation during youth and health for support in age and sickness.
Benjamin FranklinI look upon death to be as necessary to our constitution as sleep. We shall rise refreshed in the morning.
Benjamin FranklinHe that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business at night.
Benjamin FranklinLove and toothache have many cures, but none infallible, except possession and dispossession.
Benjamin FranklinI have conceived a higher opinion of the natural capacities of the black race than I had ever before entertained. Their apprehension seems as quick, their memory as strong, and their docility in every respect equal to that of white children.
Benjamin Franklin