Benjamin Franklin Quotes

50 Quotes

Benjamin Franklin, America’s original polymath, left us a treasure trove of wisdom. These quotes from Poor Richard’s Almanack, his Autobiography, and political writings offer timeless advice on virtue, industry, freedom, and practical living.

1

He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas.

Benjamin Franklin
2

Eat to live, and not live to eat.

Benjamin Franklin
3

God helps them that help themselves.

Benjamin Franklin
4

Better slip with foot than tongue.

Benjamin Franklin
5

Look before, or you'll find yourself behind.

Benjamin Franklin
6

It is better to take many Injuries than to give one.

Benjamin Franklin
7

Bad Commentators spoil the best of books.

Benjamin Franklin
8

Approve not of him who commends all you say.

Benjamin Franklin
9

By diligence and patience, the mouse bit in two the cable.

Benjamin Franklin
10

Fish and visitors stink after three days.

Benjamin Franklin
11

Necessity never made a good bargain.

Benjamin Franklin
12

Don't throw stones at your neighbors, if your own windows are glass.

Benjamin Franklin
13

He that would live in peace & at ease, Must not speak all he knows or judge all he sees.

Benjamin Franklin
14

A penny saved is two pence clear.

Benjamin Franklin
15

Well done is better than well said.

Benjamin Franklin
16

A good conscience is a continual Christmas.

Benjamin Franklin
17

Lost time is never found again.

Benjamin Franklin
18

Time is money.

Benjamin Franklin
19

Learn of the skilful: He that teaches himself, hath a fool for his master.

Benjamin Franklin
20

To err is human, to repent divine, to persist devilish.

Benjamin Franklin
21

Speak and speed: the close mouth catches no flies.

Benjamin Franklin
22

Have you somewhat to do tomorrow, do it today.

Benjamin Franklin
23

Dost thou love Life? then do not squander Time; for that's the Stuff Life is made of.

Benjamin Franklin
24

Pardoning the Bad, is injuring the Good.

Benjamin Franklin
25

When you're good to others, you're best to yourself.

Benjamin Franklin
26

The wise man draws more advantage from his enemies, than the fool from his friends.

Benjamin Franklin
27

Genius without education is like silver in the mine.

Benjamin Franklin
28

Hide not your Talents, they for Use were made. What's a Sun-Dial in the shade!

Benjamin Franklin
29

Glass, China, and Reputation, are easily crack'd, and never well mended.

Benjamin Franklin
30

What more valuable than Gold? Diamonds. Than Diamonds? Virtue.

Benjamin Franklin
31

Haste makes Waste.

Benjamin Franklin
32

Half the Truth is often a great Lie.

Benjamin Franklin
33

Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

Benjamin Franklin
34

Sloth makes all things difficult, but industry all easy.

Benjamin Franklin
35

Drive thy business, let not that drive thee.

Benjamin Franklin
36

Industry need not wish, and he that lives upon hope will die fasting.

Benjamin Franklin
37

There are no gains without pains.

Benjamin Franklin
38

Diligence is the mother of good luck.

Benjamin Franklin
39

Beware of little expenses; A small leak will sink a great ship.

Benjamin Franklin
40

A fat kitchen makes a lean will.

Benjamin Franklin
41

What maintains one vice, would bring up two children.

Benjamin Franklin
42

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.

Benjamin Franklin
43

For want of a Nail the Shoe was lost; for want of a Shoe the Horse was lost.

Benjamin Franklin
44

Remember that Time is Money.

Benjamin Franklin
45

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.

Benjamin Franklin
46

In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride... even if I could conceive that I had completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility.

Benjamin Franklin
47

Search others for their virtues, thyself for thy vices.

Benjamin Franklin
48

I confess that there are several parts of this constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them: For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.

Benjamin Franklin
49

It is therefore that the older I grow, the more apt I am to doubt my own judgment, and to pay more respect to the judgment of others.

Benjamin Franklin
50

Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.

Benjamin Franklin

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