Quotes from Benjamin Franklin

... there is much truth in the Italian saying, 'Make yourselves sheep, and the wolves will eat you.'

... I think this Law, by which I am punished, is both unreasonable in itself, and particularly severe... Polly Baker

Half a truth is often a great lie.

On second thought, it's a good thing love is blind otherwise it would see too much.

There are two ways to increase your wealth. Increase your means or decrease your wants. The best is to do both at the same time.

Beer is proof that God wants us to be happy

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

Love well, whip well.

Do you love life? Then don't waste time, because time is life!

He who will not be counseled cannot be helped.

Mankind naturally and generally love to be flatter'd.

If this lady is pleased to spend her days with Franklin, he would be just as pleased to spend his nights with her.

Imitate Jesus and Socrates

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

The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.

In my youth, I traveled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.

Trouble springs from idleness, and grievous toil from needless ease.

Those who govern, having much business on their hands, do not generally like to take the trouble of considering and carrying into execution new projects. The best public measures are therefore seldom adopted from previous wisdom, but forced by the occasion.

One of the advantages of being a 'reasonable creature' is that one can find a reason for whatever one wants to do.

Our necessities never equal our wants.

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. . . .

Many would live by their Wits, but break for want of Stock.

If you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm. Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants to see us happy.

People want to catch a buzz. That is why drugs are illegal, yet people still try to get their hands on them no matter what the consequence. Drugs make us happy, they may not be healthy.