Benjamin Franklin Quotes

510 Sourced Quotes

It is the man and woman united that makes the complete human being. Separate she lacks his force of body and strength of reason; he her softness, sensibility and acute discernment. Together they are most likely to succeed in the world.

Benjamin Franklin
Did not strong connections draw me elsewhere, I believe Scotland would be the country I would choose to end my days in.

Benjamin Franklin
The Body of B. Franklin, Printer Like the Cover of an old Book Its Contents turn out And Stript of its Lettering & Guilding Lies here. Food for Worms For, it will as he believed appear once more In a new and more elegant Edition corrected and improved By the Author.

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

Benjamin Franklin
Mankind are very odd creatures: one half censure what they practice, the other half practice what they censure; the rest always say and do as they ought.

Benjamin Franklin
In the beginning of the contest with Britain, when we were sensible of danger, we had daily prayers in this room for Divine protection," he stated. "Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered.... Do we imagine we no longer need His assistance?

Benjamin Franklin
The busy man has few idle visitors; to the boiling pot the flies come not.

Benjamin Franklin
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." He planned his routine around waking up at 5 a.m. and asking himself "What good shall I do this day?

Benjamin Franklin
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
He that has done you a kindness will be more ready to do you another, than he whom you yourself have obliged.

Benjamin Franklin
Industry and frugality, as the means of procuring wealth... thereby [secures] virtue, it being more difficult for a man in want to act always honestly....

Benjamin Franklin
The exact Quantity and Quality being found out, is to be kept to constantly.

Benjamin Franklin
'Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.

Benjamin Franklin
The happy State of Matrimony is, undoubtedly, the surest and most lasting Foundation of Comfort and Love... the Cause of all good Order in the World, and what alone preserves it from the utmost Confusion.

Benjamin Franklin
A ship under sail and a big-bellied woman, Are the handsomest two things that can be seen common.

Benjamin Franklin
A full Belly makes a dull Brain: The Muses starve in a Cook's Shop.

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

Benjamin Franklin
Vicious actions are not hurtful because they are forbidden, but forbidden because they are hurtful.

Benjamin Franklin
The poor have little; beggars, none; the rich, too much; enough, not one.

Benjamin Franklin
Poverty wants some things, Luxury many things, Avarice all things

Benjamin Franklin
Serving God is doing good to man, but praying is thought an easier service and therefore more generally chosen.

Benjamin Franklin
Duty is not beneficial because it is commanded,
but is commanded because it is beneficial.

Benjamin Franklin
If you would know the value of money, go and try to borrow some.

Benjamin Franklin
Use now and then a little Exercise a quarter of an Hour before Meals, as to swing a Weight, or swing your Arms about with a small Weight in each Hand; to leap, or the like, for that stirs the Muscles of the Breast.

Benjamin Franklin
What more valuable than Gold? Diamonds. Than Diamonds? Virtue.

Benjamin Franklin