Franklin, Benjamin (1706 - 1790)

American Scientist

Quotations By This Source

 Age

Beware of the young doctor and the old barber

At 20 years of age the will reigns; at 30 the wit; at 40 the judgment

 Anger

Whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame.

 Attitude

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

A little neglect may breed mischief: for want of a nail the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe the horse was lost; and for want of a horse the rider was lost

The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.

 Beauty

Beauty and folly are old companions

 Benevolence

The noblest question in the world is, 'What good can I do in it?'

 Character

Vessels large may venture more, But little boats should keep near shore

 Conformity

There is much difference between imitating a good man, and counterfeiting him.

 Death

In this world, nothing is certain but death and taxes.

 Economics

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

 Education

Genius without education is like silver in the mine

 Effort

Plough deep while sluggards sleep

Never confuse motion with action.

Diligence is the mother of good luck

Laziness travels so slowly that poverty soon overtakes him.

 Failure

Love your enemies, for they will tell you your faults.

It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright

 Family

You can bear your own faults, and why not a fault in your wife?

 Fear

Keep conscience clear, then never fear.

 Foolishness

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other

Here comes the orator, with his flood of words, and his drop of reason!

 Forgiveness

Write your injuries in dust, your benefits in marble

 Friendship

Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.

 Generosity

He that goes a borrowing goes a sorrowing

He that waits upon fortune, is never sure of a dinner.

 Greed

The use of money is all the advantage there is in having money.

 Happiness

Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. There is nothing in its nature to produce happiness. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of its filling a vacuum, it makes one

Let honesty be as the breath of thy soul, and never forget to have a penny, when all thy expenses are enumerated and paid; then shall thou reach the point of happiness, and independence shall be thy shield and buckler, thy helmet and crown; then thy soul walk upright, nor stoop to the silken wretch because he hath riches, nor pocket an abuse, because the hand which offers it wears a ring set with diamonds.

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