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Authors Politician Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin

American statesman · 1706–1790

Founding Father, diplomat and scientist who played a central role in early United States history.

Lifetime
Jan 17, 1706 – Apr 17, 1790 (age 84)
Primary field
Politician
Secondary fields
Entrepreneur Scientist Writer Inventor
Tags
Founding FatherDiplomatDeclaration of IndependencePoor Richard’s AlmanackElectricity

Benjamin Franklin was an American statesman, writer, scientist, inventor and printer who became one of the most prominent figures of the American Revolution. Born in Boston in 1706, he established himself in Philadelphia as a printer and publisher. His writings included the widely read Poor Richard’s Almanack, and he helped found civic institutions including a library, a fire company and what became the University of Pennsylvania.

Franklin gained international recognition for experiments investigating electricity, including his work on lightning and the development of the lightning rod. In politics, he represented colonial interests in Britain and later became a leading advocate of American independence. He helped draft the Declaration of Independence and served as a diplomat in France, where he secured vital French support for the United States during the Revolutionary War. Franklin later participated in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and became president of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.

Quotations

“Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771-1790 · Primary source

“Experience keeps a dear school, yet fools will learn in no other.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Diligence is the mother of good luck.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Remember that Time is Money.”

Benjamin Franklin · Advice to a Young Tradesman, 1748 · Primary source

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

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Beware of little expenses, a small leak will sink a great ship.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“For age and want save while you may; no morning sun lasts a whole day.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time; for that’s the stuff life is made of.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Doing an injury puts you below your enemy; revenging one makes you but even with him; forgiving, it sets you above him.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.”

Benjamin Franklin · Letter to the Abbés Chalut and Arnoux, 1787 · Primary source

“He that is rich need not live sparingly, and he that can live sparingly, need not be rich.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“God helps them that help themselves.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“In short, the Way to Wealth, if you desire it, is as plain as the Way to Market. It depends chiefly on two Words, Industry and Frugality; i.e. Waste neither Time nor Money, but make the best Use of both. He that gets all he can honestly, and saves all he gets (necessary Expences excepted) will certainly become Rich.”

Benjamin Franklin · Advice to a Young Tradesman, 1748 · Primary source

“Don’t think to hunt two hares with one dog.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Great estates may venture more; little boats must keep near shore.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“He that falls in love with himself, will have no rivals.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If Jack’s in love, he’s no judge of Jill’s beauty.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The muses love the morning.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Little strokes fell great oaks.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“Diligence overcomes difficulties, sloth makes them.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.”

Benjamin Franklin · Letter to French scientist Jean-Baptiste Leroy, 1789 · Primary source

“Hope of gain lessens pain.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Creditors have better memories than debtors.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“You may be too cunning for one, but not for all.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Patience in a market, is worth pounds in a year.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor liberty to purchase power.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Fish and visitors stink in three days.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“’Tis easier to build two chimneys, than maintain one in fuel.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“’Tis a shame that your family is an honor to you! You ought to be an honor to your family.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Don't throw stones at your neighbors, if your own windows are glass.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The bird that sits, is easily shot.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The wise man draws more advantage from his enemies, than the fool from his friends.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Lend money to an enemy, and thou’lt gain him, to a friend and thou’lt lose him.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Vice knows she’s ugly, so puts on her mask.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A lie stands on one leg, truth on two.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Tim was so learned, that he could name a horse in nine languages. So ignorant, that he bought a cow to ride on.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Time is an herb that cures all diseases.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Tricks and treachery are the practice of fools, that have not wit enough to be honest.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Where there’s marriage without love, there will be love without marriage.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Tart words make no friends; a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Fools multiply folly.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The worst wheel of the cart makes the most noise.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Love your enemies, for they tell you your faults.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A long life may not be good enough, but a good life is long enough.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher’s stone.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Thou canst not joke an enemy into a friend; but thou may’st a friend into an enemy.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A light purse is a heavy curse.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Well done is twice done.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“All would live long, but none would be old.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The golden age never was the present age.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“It is better to take many injuries, than to give one.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Those who will not be counselled, cannot be helped.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“We are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“Laziness travels so slowly, that poverty soon overtakes him.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“He that drinks fast, pays slow.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

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

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you would be loved, love and be lovable.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Today is yesterday’s pupil.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A good example is the best sermon.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Take counsel in wine, but resolve afterwards in water.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Virtue and happiness are mother and daughter.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Employ thy time well, if thou meanest to gain leisure.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The second vice is lying; the first is running in debt.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“An innocent plowman is more worthy than a vicious prince.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Take this remark from Richard, poor and lame, whatever is begun in anger, ends in shame.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Eat few suppers, and you’ll need few medicines.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The sting of a reproach is the truth of it.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“To be intimate with a foolish friend, is like going to bed with a razor.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A plowman on his legs is higher than a gentleman on his knees.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“An egg today is better than a hen tomorrow.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Beauty and folly are old companions.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Have you something to do tomorrow; do it today.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“When you speak to a man, look on his eyes; when he speaks to thee, look on his mouth.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A life of leisure, and a life of laziness, are two things.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Nothing so popular as goodness.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Money and good manners make the gentleman.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Marry above thy match, and thou'lt get a master.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“No gains without pains.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The cat in gloves catches no mice.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“A full belly makes a dull brain.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“’Tis easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“He that never eats too much, will never be lazy.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Promises may get thee friends, but non-performance will turn them into enemies.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“He’s a fool that makes his doctor his heir.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Silk and satins and scarlets and velvets put out the kitchen fire.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“’'Tis easier to suppress the first desire, than to satisfy all that follow it.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A false friend and a shadow attend only while the sun shines.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Without justice courage is weak.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Distrust and caution are the parents of security.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The man who is good at making an excuse, is seldom good at any thing else.”

Benjamin Franklin · Liber Facetiarum: Being a Collection of Curious and Interesting Anecdotes, 1809 · Secondary source

“Love, cough, and a smoke, can’t well be hid.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Do good to thy friend to keep him, to thy enemy to gain him.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“To whom thy secret thou dost tell, to him thy freedom thou dost sell.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Buy what thou hast no need of; and e’er long thou shalt sell thy necessaries.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“There is no little enemy.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“No man ever was glorious who was not laborious.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you have time don’t wait for time.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“As pride increases, fortune declines.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The eye of a master, will do more work than his hand.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Let every new year find you a better man.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Pardoning the bad, is injuring the good.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Honor thy father and mother, i.e., live so as to be an honor to them when they are dead.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Drink water; put the money in your pocket, and leave the dry-bellyache in the punch-bowl.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“When you’re good to others, you are best to yourself.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“So convenient a thing is it to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771-1790 · Primary source

“All things are easy to industry, all things difficult to sloth.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“He that riseth late, must trot all day, and shall scarce overtake his business by night.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Do not do that which you would not have known.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“To lengthen thy life, lessen thy meals.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Haste makes waste.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“He that builds before he counts the cost, acts foolishly; and he that counts before he builds, finds he did not count wisely.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Love your neighbor; yet don’t pull down your hedge.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Time enough always proves little enough.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

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

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Observe all men; thyself most.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

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

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“One good husband is worth two good wives; for the scarcer things are the more they’re valued.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Be always ashamed to catch thyself idle.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The bell calls others to church, but itself never minds the sermon.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Don’t misinform your doctor nor your lawyer.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Rather go to bed supperless, than run in debt for a breakfast.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you want to be wealthy, think of saving as well as of earning.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“You may delay, but time will not.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Would you live with ease, do what you ought, and not what you please.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“I have never seen the philosopher’s stone that turns lead into gold, but I have known the pursuit of it turn a man’s gold into lead.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you’d have a servant that you like, serve yourself.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The honest man takes pains, and then enjoys pleasures; the knave takes pleasures, and then suffers pains.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“At the working man’s house hunger looks in but dares not enter.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Drink does not drown care, but waters it, and makes it grow faster.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“One today is worth two tomorrows.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The creditors are a superstitious sect, great observers of set days and times.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“It’s common for men to give pretended reasons instead of one real one.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“For want of a nail the shoe is lost; for want of a shoe, the horse is lost; for want of a horse the rider is lost.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“We may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Genius without education is like silver in the mine.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Half the truth is often a great lie.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Late children, early orphans.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Industry pays debts, despair increases them.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Never leave till tomorrow what you can do today.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Way to Wealth, 1758 · Primary source

“Drunkenness, that worst of evils, makes some men fools, some beasts, some devils.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Approve not of him that commends all you say.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Up, sluggard, and waste not life; in the grave will be sleeping enough.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Hold your council before dinner; the full belly hates thinking as well as acting.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Necessity never made a good bargain.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“He that lies down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“An empty bag cannot stand upright.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

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

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

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

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A fine genius in his own country, is like gold in the mine.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you’d know the value of money, go and borrow some.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“He that can have patience can have what he will.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“An hundred thieves cannot strip one naked man, especially if his skin’s off.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“When the wine enters, out goes the truth.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A man being sometimes more generous when he has but a little money than when he has plenty, perhaps through fear of being thought to have but little.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771-1790 · Primary source

“Lost time is never found again.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Keep thy shop, and thy shop will keep thee.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Bad gains are truly losses.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Reading was the only amusement I allowed myself.”

Benjamin Franklin · The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771-1790 · Primary source

“As we must account for every idle word, so we must for every idle silence.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Wish not so much to live long as to live well.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you would keep your secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“If you’d lose a troublesome visitor, lend him money.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“There was never a good knife made of bad steel.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

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

Benjamin Franklin · The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, 1771-1790 · Primary source

“There is neither honor nor gain got in dealing with a villian.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Sloth (like rust) consumes faster than labor wears. The used key is always bright.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Well done is better than well said.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Words may show a man’s wit, but actions his meaning.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Sleep without supping, and you'll rise without owing for it.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Drive thy business, or it will drive thee.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Laws too gentle are seldom obeyed; too severe, seldom executed.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“You will be careful, if you are wise; how you touch men’s religion, or credit, or eyes.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“’Tis easy to see, hard to foresee.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“Ill customs and bad advice are seldom forgotten.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

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

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“The proud hate pride—in others.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A good lawyer, a bad neighbor.”

Benjamin Franklin · Poor Richard’s Almanack, 1732-1758 · Primary source

“A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Benjamin Franklin · No reliable source

“An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”

Benjamin Franklin · No reliable source

“No nation was ever ruined by trade.”

Benjamin Franklin · No reliable source

“The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”

Benjamin Franklin · No reliable source

Selected works

Almanac · 1732-1758 FEATURED WORK
Poor Richard’s Almanack

An annual collection of practical information, observations and maxims on thrift, work, self-discipline, conduct and everyday life.

Essay · 1748 FEATURED WORK
Advice to a Young Tradesman

Practical advice to young tradesmen on time, credit, debt, bookkeeping, industry, frugality, and maintaining a reputation for financial reliability.

Essay · 1758 FEATURED WORK
The Way to Wealth

A practical essay on building financial security through industry, frugality, careful use of time, saving, and avoidance of unnecessary debt.

Autobiography · 1771-1790 FEATURED WORK
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Franklin’s account of his early life, career, self-education, civic activity, moral improvement, and rise from apprentice printer to public figure.

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