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Benjamin Franklin

110 quotes

“Mankind naturally and generally love to be flatter'd: Whatever sooths our Pride, and tends to exalt our Species above the rest of the Creation, we are pleas'd with and easily believe, when ungrateful Truths shall be with the utmost Indignation rejected. "What! bring ourselves down to an Equality with the Beasts of the Field! with the meanest part of the Creation! 'Tis insufferable!" But, (to use a Piece of common Sense) our Geese are but Geese tho' we may think 'em Swans; and Truth will be Truth tho' it sometimes prove mortifying and distasteful.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1725 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Dissertation on Liberty and Necessity, Pleasure and Pain" (1725)
“I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. ... I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe He delights to see me virtuous.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1728 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Articles of Belief and Acts of Religion" (1728)
“The Body of B. Franklin Printer; Like the Cover of an old Book, Its Contents torn out, And stript of its Lettering and Gilding, Lies here, Food for Worms. But the Work shall not be wholly lost: For it will, as he believ'd, appear once more, In a new & more perfect Edition, Corrected and Amended By the Author.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1728 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Epitaph for himself, written in 1728, at age 22. "Transcript of Benjamin Franklin, Epitaph – Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words", Library of Congress: Exhibitions (August 16, 2010)
“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 (1706–1790) first seen 1730 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Apology for Printers" (1730); later in Benjamin Franklin's Autobiographical Writings (1945) edited by Carl Van Doren
“Ambition has its disappointments to sour us, but never the good fortune to satisfy us.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1735 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On True Happiness", Pennsylvania Gazette (20 November 1735).
“Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics and limited monarchies derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1737 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On Freedom of Speech and the Press", Pennsylvania Gazette (17 November 1737)
“If you would keep your Secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend. Up, Sluggard, and waste not life; in the grave will be sleeping enough.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1735 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: September 1741. “Poor Richard, 1741,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed 27 May 2020. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 2, January 1, 1735, through December 31, 1744, ed. Leonard W. Labar…
“The Face first grows lank and wrinkled; then the Neck; then the Breast and Arms; the lower Parts continuing to the last as plump as ever: So that covering all above with a Basket, and regarding only what is below the Girdle, it is impossible of two Women to know an old from a young one. And as in the dark all Cats are grey, the Pleasure of corporal Enjoyment with an old Woman is at least equal, and frequently superior, every Knack being by Practice capable of Improvement.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1745 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 25 June 1745, "Advice to a Friend on Choosing a Mistress
“Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1755 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: This was first used by Franklin for the Pennsylvania Assembly in its "Reply to the Governor" (November 11, 1755) Reply to the Governor
“How much more than is necessary do we spend in Sleep! forgetting that The sleeping Fox catches no Poultry,[Sept. 1743] and that there will be sleeping enough in the Grave,[Sept. 1741] as Poor Richard says.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1756 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Father Abraham's Speech,” preface to: “Poor Richard Improved, 1758,” Founders Online, National Archives, accessed 27 May 2020. [Original source: The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, vol. 7, October 1, 1756 through March 31,…
“[T]he waters moved away from the North American Coast towards the coasts of Spain and Africa, whence they get again into the Power of the Trade Winds, and continue the Circulation. ...so long and so strong a Current as that of the Gulph Stream, thro' all the Latitudes of variable Winds, can only be accounted for, by its having a considerable Descent, and moving from Parts where the Water is higher, to Parts where it is lower.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1762 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to John Pringle (May 27, 1762) See also Louis De Vorsey, "Pioneer of the Gulf Stream: The Contributions of Benjamin Franklin and William Gerard De Brahm" Imago Mundi (1976) 28: p. 106
“The good particular men may do separately, in relieving the sick, is small, compared with what they may do collectively.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1751 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Appeal for the Hospital The Pennsylvania Gazette (8 August 1751)
“[Referring to private hospital funding alone:] That won't work, it will never be enough, good health care costs a lot of money, remembering 'the distant parts of this province' in which 'assistance cannot be procured, but at an expense that neither [the sick-poor] nor their townships can afford.' ... '[This] seems essential to the true spirit of Christianity, and should be extended to all in general, whether deserving or undeserving, as far as our power reaches.'”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1751 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In 1751, Franklin's friend, Dr. Thomas Bond, convinced him to champion the building of a public hospital. Through his hard work and political ingenuity, Franklin brought the skeptical legislature to the table, bargainin…
“But our great security lies, I think, in our growing strength, both in numbers and wealth; ... unless, by a neglect of military discipline, we should lose all martial spirit ...; for there is much truth in the Italian saying, Make yourselves sheep, and the wolves will eat you.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1773 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Thomas Cushing (1773)
“[A] great Empire, like a great Cake, is most easily diminished at the Edges.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1773 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Rules By Which A Great Empire May Be Reduced To A Small One"; The Public Advertiser (September 11, 1773)
“I am much obliged by the kind present you have made us of your edition of Vattel. It came to us in good season, when the circumstances of a rising state make it necessary frequently to consult The Law of Nations. Accordingly, that copy which I kept, (after depositing one in our own public library here, and sending the other to the college of Massachusetts Bay, as you directed,) has been continually in the hands of the members of our congress, now sitting, who are much pleased with your notes and preface, and have entertained a high and just esteem for their author.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1775 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: 9 December 1775 letter from Franklin thanking Charles Dumas for sending him three copies of Emer de Vattel's book
“He has paid dear, very dear, for his whistle.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1779 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Whistle (November, 1779); reported in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 10th ed. (1919)
“Much less is it adviseable for a Person to go thither [to America], who has no other Quality to recommend him but his Birth. In Europe it has indeed its Value; but it is a Commodity that cannot be carried to a worse Market than that of America, where people do not inquire concerning a Stranger, What is he? but, What can he do?”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1784 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: March 1784 Information to Those Who Would Remove to America
“The art of concluding from experience and observation consists in evaluating probabilities, in estimating if they are high or numerous enough to constitute proof. This type of calculation is more complicated and more difficult than one might think. It demands a great sagacity generally above the power of common people. The success of charlatans, sorcerors, and alchemists — and all those who abuse public credulity — is founded on errors in this type of calculation.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1784 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Benjamin Franklin and Antoine Lavoisier, Rapport des commissaires chargés par le roi de l'examen du magnétisme animal (1784), as translated in "The Chain of Reason versus the Chain of Thumbs", Bully for Brontosaurus (19…
Also quoted by: Antoine Lavoisier
“The first man put at the helm will be a good one. No body knows what sort may come afterwards. The Executive will be always increasing here, as elsewhere, till it ends in a Monarchy.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1787 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Records of the Federal Convention (which resulted in the United States Constitution), June 4, 1787
“The more the people are discontented with the oppression of taxes; the greater need the prince has of money to distribute among his partisans and pay the troops that are to suppress all resistance, and enable him to plunder at pleasure. There is scarce a king in a hundred who would not, if he could, follow the example of Pharaoh, get first all the peoples money, then all their lands, and then make them and their children servants for ever. . .”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1787 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the Constitutional Convention, (June 2, 1787)
“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 (1706–1790) first seen 1787 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech in the Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (September 17, 1787); reported in James Madison, Journal of the Federal Convention, ed. E. H. Scott (1893), p. 741
“In these sentiments, Sir, I agree to this Constitution, with all its faults, — if they are such; because I think a general Government necessary for us, and there is no form of government but what may be a blessing to the people, if well administered; and I believe, farther, that this is likely to be well administered for a course of years, and can only end in despotism, as other forms have done before it, when the people shall become so corrupted as to need despotic government, being incapable of any other.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1787 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Speech to the Constitutional Convention (September 17, 1787); reported in James Madison, Journal of the Federal Convention, ed. E. H. Scott (1893), p. 742
“Whilst the last members were signing it Doctor Franklin looking towards the President's Chair, at the back of which a rising sun happened to be painted, observed to a few members near him, that Painters had found it difficult to distinguish in their art a rising from a setting sun. "I have," said he, "often and often in the course of the Session, and the vicissitudes of my hopes and fears as to its issue, looked at that behind the President without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting: But now at length I have the happiness to know that it is a rising and not a setting Sun.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1787 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: At the signing of the United States Constitution, Journal of the Constitutional Convention (17 September 1787)
“A lady asked Franklin: "Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?". Franklin replied: "A Republic, if you can keep it.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1787 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: From a note of uncertain date by Dr. James McHenry. In a footnote he added that "The lady here aluded to was Mrs. Powel of Philada." Published in The American Historical Review, v. 11, p. 618. At the close of the Consti…
“Has not the famous political Fable of the Snake, with two Heads and one Body, some useful Instruction contained in it? She was going to a Brook to drink, and in her Way was to pass thro' a Hedge, a Twig of which opposed her direct Course; one Head chose to go on the right side of the Twig, the other on the left, so that time was spent in the Contest, and, before the Decision was completed, the poor Snake died with thirst.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Queries and Remarks Respecting Alterations in the Constitution of Pennsylvania reported in Albert H. Smyth, ed., The Writings of Benjamin Franklin (1907), vol. 10, pp. 57–58
“Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Dictionary of Thoughts (1908) by Tryon Edwards, p. 22
“God grant, that not only the Love of Liberty, but a thorough Knowledge of the Rights of Man, may pervade all the Nations of the Earth, so that a Philosopher may set his Foot anywhere on its Surface, and say, 'This is my Country.'”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1789 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to David Hartley (December 4, 1789); reported in Albert H. Smyth, ed., The Writings of Benjamin Franklin (1907), Volume 10, p. 72; often quoted as, "Where liberty dwells, there is my country".
“As to Jesus of Nazareth, my Opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the System of Morals and his Religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupt changes, and I have, with most of the present Dissenters in England, some Doubts as to his divinity; tho' it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and I think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an Opportunity of knowing the Truth with less Trouble.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Benjamin Franklin: An Exploration of a Life of Science and Service (1938) by Carl Van Doren, p. 777.
“Man [is a] tool-making animal.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1778 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted by James Boswell in The Life of Samuel Johnson, April 7, 1778 (1791)
“Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Distrust & caution are the parents of security.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1733 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Poor Richard's Almanack (1733)
“If you desire many things, many things will seem but a few.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1736 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Poor Richard's Almanack (1736), November
“A penny saved is two pence clear.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1737 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Hints For Those That Would Be Rich", Poor Richard's Almanack (1737)
“Well done is better than well said.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1737 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Poor Richard's Almanack (1737)
“Let all Men know thee, but no man know thee thoroughly: Men freely ford that see the shallows.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1743 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Poor Richard's Almanack (1743)
“Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1756 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Poor Richard's Almanack (1756); this has also been quoted in a paraphrased form used by Bill Clinton in [1998 address to Beijing University, as "Our critics are our friends, they show us our faults
“A penny saved is a penny got.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1758 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Preface, Poor Richard's Almanack (1758)
“The Way to ſee by Faith is to ſhut the Eye of Reaſon: The Morning Daylight appears plainer when you put out your Candle.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It would be thought a hard Government that should tax its People one-tenth Part of their Time, to be employed in its Service.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1758 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Poor Richard's Almanack (1758), “The Way to Wealth
“[M]ankind are all formed by the same Almighty being, alike objects of his Care & equally designed for the Enjoyment of Happiness the Christian Religion teaches us to believe & the Political Creed of America fully coincides with the Position.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“[B]lessings ought rightfully to be administered, without distinction of Colour, to all descriptions of People, so they indulge themselves in the pleasing expectation, that nothing, which can be done for the relive of the unhappy objects of their care, will be either omitted or delayed.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“From a persuasion that equal liberty was originally the Portion, It is still the Birthright of all men.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Indeed I scarce ever heard or saw the introductory Words, Without Vanity I may say, etc. but some vain thing immediately follow'd. Most People dislike Vanity in others whatever Share they have of it themselves, but I give it fair Quarter wherever I meet with it, being persuaded that it is often productive of Good to the Possessor and to others that are within his Sphere of Action: And therefore in many Cases it would not be quite absurd if a Man were to thank God for his Vanity among the other Comforts of Life.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“From a Child I was fond of Reading, and all the little Money that came into my Hands was ever laid out in Books.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“This Library afforded me the Means of Improvement by constant Study, for which I set apart an Hour or two each Day; and thus repair'd in some Degree the Loss of the Learned Education my Father once intended for me. Reading was the only Amusement I allow'd myself. I spent no time in Taverns, Games, or Frolics of any kind. And my Industry in my Business continu'd as indefatigable as it was necessary.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Some volumes against Deism fell into my hands ... they produced an effect precisely the reverse to what was intended by the writers; for the arguments of the Deists, which were cited in order to be refuted, appeared to me much more forcibly than the refutation itself; in a word, I soon became a thorough Deist.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“These Names of Virtues with their Precepts were”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“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 completely overcome it, I should probably be proud of my Humility. [Part II, p. 76]”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) first seen 1784 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Written in Passy (1784), Ch. VI
“In 1736 I lost one of my Sons, a fine Boy of 4 Years old, by the Smallpox taken in the common way. I long regretted bitterly and still regret that I had not given it to him by Inoculation. This I mention for the Sake of Parents who omit that Operation on the Supposition that they should never forgive themselves if a Child died under it; my Example showing that the Regret may be the same either way, and that therefore the safer should be chosen.”
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) said by 1790 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source