Benjamin Franklin Quotes

“It's better to swim in the sea below Than to swing in the air and feed the crow, Says jolly Ned Teach of Bristol.”

“Having been poor is no shame, but being ashamed of it, is.”

“Remember, Sir, that [England] began the slave trade!”

“Whoever feels pain in hearing a good character of his neighbor, will feel a pleasure in the reverse. And those who despair to rise in distinction by their virtues, are happy if others can be depressed to a level of themselves.”

“My List of Virtues contain'd at first but twelve: But a Quaker Friend having kindly inform'd me that I was generally thought proud; that my Pride show'd itself frequently in Conversation; that I was not content with being in the right when discussing any Point, but was overbearing & rather insolent; of which he convinc'd me by mentioning several Instances; - I determined endeavouring to cure myself ..., and I added Humility to my List, giving an extensive Meaning to the Word.”

“When men differ in opinion, both sides ought equally to have the advantage of being heard by the public; when Truth and Error have fair play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter.”

“I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion about the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it.”

“On second thought, it's a good thing love is blind otherwise it would see too much.”

“An education is the investment with the greatest returns.”

“He that is conscious of a stink in his breeches is [suspicious] of every wrinkle in another's nose.”

“The greatest inventions are those inquiries which tend to increase the power of man over matter.”

“There will be sleeping enough in the grave.”

“A highwayman is as much a robber when he plunders in a gang as when single; and a nation that makes an unjust war is only a great gang.”

“Rules too soft are seldomly followed; rules too harsh are seldomly executed.”

“Nothing is more important for the public wealth than to form and train youth in wisdom and virtue. Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom.”

“To whom you betray your secret you sell your liberty.”

“There's small Revenge in Words, but Words may be greatly revenged”

“A virtuous and industrious people may be cheaply governed.”

“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.”

“Chess is so interesting in itself, as not to need the view of gain to induce engaging in it; and thence it is never played for money”

“I made the greater progress, from that clearness of head and quicker apprehension which generally attend temperance in eating and drinking.”

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

“All wars are follies, very expensive and very mischievous ones. In my opinion, there never was a good war or a bad peace. When will mankind be convinced and agree to settle their difficulties by arbitration?”

“Tis against some mens principle to pay interest, and seems against others interest to pay the principle.”

“Life with Fools consists in Drinking; with the wise Man, living's Thinking.”