Quotes from Benjamin Franklin

vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful,

Creditors are a kind of people that have the sharpest eyes and ears, as well as the best memories of any in the world.

They who have nothing to trouble them will be troubled at nothing.

A house without woman and firelight, is like a Body without soul or sprite.

Seek virtue, and of that possess, To providence resign the rest.

grew convinc'd that truth, sincerity and integrity in dealings between man and man were of the utmost importance to the felicity of life; and I form'd written resolutions, which still remain in my journal book, to practice them ever while I lived.

Seest thou a man diligent in his calling, he shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men," I

Tim was so learned that he could name a horse in nine languages. So ignorant that he bought a cow to ride on.

The same man cannot be both friend and flatterer.

Those who are feared are hated.

The person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn't know how to read.

The Massachusetts must suffer all the hazards and mischiefs of war rather than admit the alteration of their charter and haws by parliament. They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

The eye of a master will do more work than his hand.

Locke On Human Understanding, and the Art of Thinking, by Messrs. du Port Royal.

In reality, there is, perhaps, no one of our natural passions so hard to subdue as pride. Disguise it, struggle with it, beat it down, stifle it, mortify it as much as one pleases, it is still alive, and will every now and then peep out and show itself; you will see it, perhaps, often in this history; for, even if I could conceive that I had compleatly overcome it, I should probably be proud of my humility. [Thus far written at Passy, 1784.]

He that won't be counselled, can't be helped.

Industry pays debts while despair increases them.

Plough deep while sluggards sleep and you shall have corn to sell and to keep.

persuaded, therefore, that ere long some ingenious

First, let honesty and industry be thy constant companions; and, Secondly, spend one penny less than thy clear gains.

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing

Be at War with your Vices, at Peace with your Neighbours, and let every New-Year find you a better Man.

Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day. Thus, if you teach a poor young man to shave himself and keep his razor in order, you may contribute more to the happiness of his life than in giving him a thousand guineas. The money may be soon spent, the regret only remaining of having foolishly consumed it; but in the other case, he escapes the frequent vexation of waiting for barbers,

If you would have your business done, go; if not, send. Want of care does us more damage than want of knowledge. Not to oversee workmen is to leave them your purse open.