Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

100 Quotes By Benjamin Franklin That Will Change The Way You Think

Famous As: One of the Founding Fathers of the United States
Born On: January 17, 1706
Died On: April 17, 1790
Born In: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Died At Age: 84

Popularly known as the First Citizen of the 18th Century, Benjamin Franklin was a famous American writer, inventor, politician, statesman, author, scientist, diplomat and civic activist among many other profiles that he held in his lifetime. As a young boy, Franklin apprenticed with his printer brother. The opportunity gave him the much needed exposure to new ideas and ideals. He grew up to become an inventor and is best known till date for his work in electrical theory. He established the laws by which electricity operates and also conducted crucial inventions including the Lightning rod and Franklin stove. As a diplomat, he was widely admired among the French and was a major figure in the development of Franco-American relations. As a politician, Franklin still stands as America’s most effective statesman and ambassador. He was undoubtedly American’s most influential Founding Fathers who drafted the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Given here is a compilation of some of the best known quotes by Benjamin Franklin covering a wide variety of aspectslike life, truth, education, learning, happiness, anger, finance, and so on. Brief yourself and get inspired by his greatness!

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.

Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.

Benjamin Franklin
Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

Benjamin Franklin
They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Benjamin Franklin
Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.

Benjamin Franklin
He that can have patience can have what he will.

He that can have patience can have what he will.

Benjamin Franklin
A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

Benjamin Franklin
In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.

In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is Freedom, in water there is bacteria.

Benjamin Franklin
You may delay, but time will not.

You may delay, but time will not.

Benjamin Franklin
Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five.

Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five.

Benjamin Franklin
Fear not death for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal.

Fear not death for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal.

Benjamin Franklin
Never ruin an apology with an excuse.

Never ruin an apology with an excuse.

Benjamin Franklin
We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.

We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.

Benjamin Franklin
I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.

I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong.

Benjamin Franklin
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.

[misquote of a letter about wine, see quotes/831031]

Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy. [misquote of a letter about wine, see quotes/831031]

Benjamin Franklin
Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

Benjamin Franklin
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.

Benjamin Franklin
Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.

Those who surrender freedom for security will not have, nor do they deserve, either one.

Benjamin Franklin
How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!

How many observe Christ's birthday! How few, His precepts!

Benjamin Franklin
Hide not your talents, they for use were made,
What's a sundial in the shade?

Hide not your talents, they for use were made, What's a sundial in the shade?

Benjamin Franklin
Well done is better than well said.

Well done is better than well said.

Benjamin Franklin
Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.

Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.

Benjamin Franklin
Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.

Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.

Benjamin Franklin
Lost Time is never found again.

Lost Time is never found again.

Benjamin Franklin
It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.

It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority.

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

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

Benjamin Franklin
An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

Benjamin Franklin
If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.

If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.

Benjamin Franklin
Tis a great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults; greater to tell him his.

Tis a great confidence in a friend to tell him your faults; greater to tell him his.

Benjamin Franklin
Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.

Benjamin Franklin
Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.

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

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

Benjamin Franklin
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.

Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that's the stuff life is made of.

Benjamin Franklin
There was never a bad peace or a good war.

There was never a bad peace or a good war.

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

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

Benjamin Franklin
Never confuse Motion with Action.

Never confuse Motion with Action.

Benjamin Franklin
He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.

He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.

Benjamin Franklin
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. 
Keep in the sunlight.

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.

Benjamin Franklin
Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame.

Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame.

Benjamin Franklin
The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.

The heart of a fool is in his mouth, but the mouth of a wise man is in his heart.

Benjamin Franklin
Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.

Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.

Benjamin Franklin
When you are finished changing, you're finished.

When you are finished changing, you're finished.

Benjamin Franklin
A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.

A slip of the foot you may soon recover, but a slip of the tongue you may never get over.

Benjamin Franklin
When you're testing to see how deep water is, never use two feet.

When you're testing to see how deep water is, never use two feet.

Benjamin Franklin
Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away

Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away

Benjamin Franklin
...but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

...but in this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.

Benjamin Franklin
To find out a girl's faults, praise her to her girlfriends.

To find out a girl's faults, praise her to her girlfriends.

Benjamin Franklin
We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.

We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.

Benjamin Franklin
If Jack's in love, he's no judge of Jill's beauty.

If Jack's in love, he's no judge of Jill's beauty.

Benjamin Franklin
In the Affairs of this World Men are saved, not by Faith,
but by the Lack of it.

In the Affairs of this World Men are saved, not by Faith, but by the Lack of it.

Benjamin Franklin
Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.

Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.

Benjamin Franklin
Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.

Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.

Benjamin Franklin
Life biggest tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late

Life biggest tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late

Benjamin Franklin
Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.

Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.

Benjamin Franklin
Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.

Happiness depends more on the inward disposition of mind than on outward circumstances.

Benjamin Franklin
Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see.

Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see.

Benjamin Franklin
If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.

If a man could have half of his wishes, he would double his troubles.

Benjamin Franklin
Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.

Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He that is content. Who is that? Nobody.

Benjamin Franklin
When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.

When the people find that they can vote themselves money that will herald the end of the republic.

Benjamin Franklin
While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us.

While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us.

Benjamin Franklin
Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.

Be civil to all; sociable to many; familiar with few; friend to one; enemy to none.

Benjamin Franklin
Speak ill of no man, but speak all the good you know of everybody.

Speak ill of no man, but speak all the good you know of everybody.

Benjamin Franklin
Work as if you were to live a thousand years, play as if you were to die tomorrow.

Work as if you were to live a thousand years, play as if you were to die tomorrow.

Benjamin Franklin
We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing!

We do not stop playing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop playing!

Benjamin Franklin
If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail!

Benjamin Franklin
A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.

A house is not a home unless it contains food and fire for the mind as well as the body.

Benjamin Franklin
When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.

When the well is dry, we know the worth of water.

Benjamin Franklin
Never leave till tomorrow that which you can do today.

Never leave till tomorrow that which you can do today.

Benjamin Franklin
Contentment makes poor men rich, 
Discontent makes rich men poor.

Contentment makes poor men rich, Discontent makes rich men poor.

Benjamin Franklin
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Benjamin Franklin
Security without liberty is called prison.

Security without liberty is called prison.

Benjamin Franklin
The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.

The way to see by faith is to shut the eye of reason.

Benjamin Franklin
If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.

If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.

Benjamin Franklin
All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.

All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move.

Benjamin Franklin
Most people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75.

Most people die at 25 and aren’t buried until they’re 75.

Benjamin Franklin
To be humble to superiors is a duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.

To be humble to superiors is a duty, to equals courtesy, to inferiors nobleness.

Benjamin Franklin
A Brother may not be a Friend, but a Friend will always be a Brother.

A Brother may not be a Friend, but a Friend will always be a Brother.

Benjamin Franklin
It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.

It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.

Benjamin Franklin
The only thing that is more expensive than education is ignorance.

The only thing that is more expensive than education is ignorance.

Benjamin Franklin
Eat to live, don't live to eat.

Eat to live, don't live to eat.

Benjamin Franklin
Fish and visitors smell in three days.

Fish and visitors smell in three days.

Benjamin Franklin
Those things that hurt, instruct.

Those things that hurt, instruct.

Benjamin Franklin
Words may show a man's wit, actions his meaning.

Words may show a man's wit, actions his meaning.

Benjamin Franklin
He that lieth down with Dogs, shall rise up with Fleas.

He that lieth down with Dogs, shall rise up with Fleas.

Benjamin Franklin
Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.

Fools make feasts and wise men eat them.

Benjamin Franklin
He who can have patience can have what he will.

He who can have patience can have what he will.

Benjamin Franklin
A good example is the best sermon.

A good example is the best sermon.

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

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

Benjamin Franklin
For the best return on your money, pour your purse into your head.

For the best return on your money, pour your purse into your head.

Benjamin Franklin
There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one's self.

There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one's self.

Benjamin Franklin
No one cares what you know until they know that you care!

No one cares what you know until they know that you care!

Benjamin Franklin
All the little money that ever came into my hands was ever laid out in books.

All the little money that ever came into my hands was ever laid out in books.

Benjamin Franklin
How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.

How few there are who have courage enough to own their faults, or resolution enough to mend them.

Benjamin Franklin
Genius without education is like silver in the mine.

Genius without education is like silver in the mine.

Benjamin Franklin
...there will be sleeping enough in the grave....

...there will be sleeping enough in the grave....

Benjamin Franklin
Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man.

Reading makes a full man, meditation a profound man, discourse a clear man.

Benjamin Franklin
You will find the key to success under the alarm clock.

You will find the key to success under the alarm clock.

Benjamin Franklin
You can do anything you set your mind to

You can do anything you set your mind to

Benjamin Franklin
One today is worth two tomorrows

One today is worth two tomorrows

Benjamin Franklin
Women are books, and men the readers be...

Women are books, and men the readers be...

Benjamin Franklin
Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure, when he is really selling himself to it.

Many a man thinks he is buying pleasure, when he is really selling himself to it.

Benjamin Franklin