Quotes from Benjamin Franklin

O that all may take heed and beware of covetousness! O that all may learn of Christ, who was meek and lowly of heart. Then in faithfully following him he will teach us to be content with food and raiment without respect to the customs or honors of this world. Men thus redeemed will feel a tender concern for their fellow-creatures, and a desire that those in the lowest stations may be assisted and encouraged,

Truth is brighter than light.

263. As a Desperate Game needs an able Gamester, so Consideration often would prevent, what the best skill in the World Cannot Recover.

Work as if you were to live 100 years, Pray as if you were to die To-morrow.

But one does not dress for private company as for a public ball.

Why do tomorrow what you can do today?

Would you persuade, speak of interest, not of reason.

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.

which we once esteemed truths, were errors; and that others, which we had esteemed errors, were real truths.

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

therefore, feasted and invited to all

Maxima bella ex levissimis causis:

who differ are so far in the wrong; like a man traveling in foggy weather, those at some distance before him on the road he sees wrapped up in the fog, as well as those behind him, and also the people in the fields on each side, but near him all appears clear, tho' in truth he is as much in the fog as any of them.

Rarely use [sex] but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation.

All cats are grey in the dark.

Do not do that which you would not have known.

I have lived, sir, a long time, and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, it is probable that an empire cannot rise without His aid.

He that pays for work before it's done has but a pennyworth for two pence.

Drive thy business, let not that drive thee; and Early to bed, and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise, Poor Richard says.

therefore, if he would eat that with a pint of water,

You may be more happy than princes if you will be more virtuous.

He wished to please everybody; and, having little to give, he gave expectations.

Thou shalt not receive any gift; for a gift bindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous." (Exod. xxiii. 8.)

any other, was disgusted, and attended his preaching no more.