Quotes from Benjamin Franklin

He was naturally more eloquent, had a ready plenty of words, and sometimes, as I thought, bore me down more by his fluency than by the strength of his reasons. As

to take upon us by inoculation when in health a disorder of which some die, requires great clearness of knowledge that it is our duty to do so.

239Fish and Visitors stink after three days

Anger is never without a reason but seldom with a good one.

Love your neighbor Yet don't pull down your hedge.

As pride increases, fortune declines

130. Some are so Foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer; which is uncivil as well as silly.

Do I use food and drink in no other sort and in no other degree than was designed by Him who gave these creatures for our sustenance? Do I never abuse my body by inordinate labor, striving to accomplish some end which I have unwisely proposed? Do I use action enough in some useful employ, or do I sit too much idle while some persons who labor to support me have too great a share of it? If in any of these things I am deficient, to be incited to consider it is a favor to me.

that hard-to-be-governed passion of youth hurried me frequently into intrigues with low women that fell in my way,

Here comes the orator! With his flood of words and his drop of reason.

It is, therefore, as necessary for us at this day constantly to attend on the heavenly gift, to be qualified to use rightly the good things in this life, amidst great improvements, as it was for our first parents when they were without any improvements, without any friend or father but God only.

All things are easy to industry, All things are difficult to sloth.

Drink does not drown Care, but waters it, and makes it grow faster.

We ventured, however, over all these difficulties, and I took her to wife, September 1st, 1730. None of the inconveniences happened that we had apprehended; she proved a good and faithful helpmate, assisted me much by attending the shop; we throve together, and have ever mutually endeavored to make each other happy.

the doctrine of Christ, "Take no thought for the morrow,

Silence is not always a sign of wisdom, but babbling is ever of folly

Love your enemies for they tell you your faults.

134. Give no Advantage in Argument, nor lose any that is offered. This is a Benefit which arises from Temper.

I will speak ill of no man, and speak all the good I know of everybody.

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

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

By my rambling digressions I perceive myself to be grown old. I us'd to write more methodically. But one does not dress for private company as for a publick ball. 'Tis perhaps only negligence.

THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

Nine men in ten are would-be suicides.