Benjamin Franklin Quotes

Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.

Taxes on consumption, like those on capital or income, to be just, must be uniform.

Strangers are welcome because there is room enough for them all, and therefore the old Inhabitants are not jealous of them; the Laws protect them sufficiently so that they have no need of the Patronage of great Men; and every one will enjoy securely the Profits of his Industry. But if he does not bring a Fortune with him, he must work and be industrious to live.

It would be thought a hard government that should tax its people one tenth part.

Patience in Market, is worth Pounds in a year.

In free governments the rulers are the servants, and the people their superiors and sovereigns.

If you have a secret and tell someone everyone will know. You can only keep a secret if you don't tell anyone.

Willows are weak, but they bind the Faggot.

Half-wits talk much, but say little.

There have been as great souls unknown to fame as any of the most famous.

Some are weatherwise, some are otherwise.

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

The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.

Pride is said to be the last vice the good man gets clear of.

If you would be loved, love, and be loveable.

Genius is the ability to hold one's vision steady until it becomes reality

Life is a kind of chess.

A new truth is a truth, an old error is an error.

Evils come not, then our fears are vain; And if they do fear but augments the pain.

Savages we call them because their manners differ from ours.

Since I cannot govern my own tongue, though within my own teeth, how can I hope to govern the tongue of others?

At the working man’s house, hunger looks in but dares not enter.

When circumstances don't fit our ideas they become our difficulties

I have sometimes almost wished it had been my destiny to be born two or three centuries hence.

Industry and patience are the surest means of plenty.

Poverty, Poetry, and new Titles of Honor, make Men ridiculous

When you taste honey, remember gall.

Glass, China, and Reputation, are easily cracked, and never well mended.

History will also give occasion to expatiate on the advantage of civil orders and constitutions; how men and their properties are protected by joining in societies and establishing government; their industry encouraged and rewarded, arts invented, and life made more comfortable; the advantages of liberty, mischiefs of licentiousness, benefits arising from good laws and a due execution of justice. Thus may the first principles of sound politics be fixed in the minds of youth.

He that is of the opinion money will do everything may well be suspected of doing everything for money.

God heals, and the doctor takes the fees.

Eyes and Priests Bear no Jests.

He who gives up freedom for safety deserves neither.

The way to secure peace is to be prepared for war. They that are on their guard, and appear ready to receive their adversaries, are in much less danger of being attacked, than the supine, secure, and negligent.

The discovery of a wine is of greater moment than the discovery of a constellation. The universe is too full of stars.

There is no kind of dishonesty into which otherwise good people more easily and frequently fall than that of defrauding the government.

Snowy winter, a plentiful harvest.

He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing.

The problem with common sense is, it isn't.

Nor is it of much Importance to us to know the Manner in which Nature executes her laws; 'tis enough to know the Laws themselves.

Virtue and Happiness are Mother and Daughter.

Where there's no law, there's no bread.

Buy what thou hast no need of and ere long thou shalt sell thy necessities.

Keep conscience clear, then never fear.

La pereza anda tan despacio que la pobreza no tarda en alcanzarla.

Take time for all things: great haste makes great waste.

Take a coin from your purse and invest it in your mind. It will come pouring out of your mind and overflow your purse.

He [the Rev. Mr. Whitefield] used, indeed, sometimes to pray for my conversion, but never had the satisfaction of believing that his prayers were heard.