Authors
Benjamin Franklin
1706 – 1790
Benjamin Franklin was an inventor, writer, and one of America's founding fathers who helped draft the Declaration of Independence — and was the only Founding Father to sign all four key documents of independence: the Declaration, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Paris, and the Constitution. He experimented with electricity, invented bifocal glasses and the lightning rod, and never patented any of them, believing inventions should benefit everyone freely. He loved sharing wise, witty sayings that people still quote today.
Quotes
“Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day.”
“Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.”
“Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
“Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.”
“Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
“Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
“Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.”
“Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.”
“Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”
“Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”
“Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.”
“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.”
“Never leave that till to-morrow which you can do to-day.”
“A man may, if he knows not how to save as he gets, keep his nose to the grindstone.”
“Vessels large may venture more, But little boats should keep near shore.”
“It is hard for an empty bag to stand upright.”
“Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.”
“Idleness and pride tax with a heavier hand than kings and parliaments. If we can get rid of the former, we may easily bear the latter.”
“There never was a good war or a bad peace.”
“Our Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.”
“Little strokes fell great oaks.”
“Energy and persistence conquer all things.”
“Well done is better than well said.”
“Reading was the only Amusement I allow'd myself.”
“Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.”
“What you would seem to be, be really.”
“Genius without education is like silver in the mine.”
“The noblest question in the world is, what good may I do in it?”
“Our friend and we were invited abroad on a party of pleasure which is to last for ever. His chair was ready first, and he is gone before us. We could not all conveniently start together; and why should you and I be grieved at this, since we are soon to follow, and know where to find him?”
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
“Diligence is the mother of good luck.”
“Who is wise? He that learns from every one.”
“Look before, or you'll find yourself behind.”