An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. — Benjamin Franklin · Smartyfair

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Benjamin Franklin1706–1790 · inventor · 1700s AmericaBenjamin 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.34 quotes

Source foundWisdom1700s

In plain words

Stopping a problem before it starts is easier than fixing it after.

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Where these words come from

How sure this is: 88% sureThese words were traced back to where they first appeared. That source is listed below.
What turned up: Coined by Benjamin Franklin, 'On Protection of Towns from Fire,' Pennsylvania Gazette, Feb 4, 1735 (writing as 'A.A.') — a fire-safety essay for Philadelphia. The related Latin legal maxim in Bracton (c.1240s) is an origin-language note, not this line's source.
Work: Pennsylvania Gazette — 'On Protection of Towns from Fire'
Occasion: 1735 · Philadelphia · advice to Philadelphia on preventing house fires
Sources checked: founders.archives.govChecked using claude-sonnet-5, 21 August 2026Franklin's Feb 4, 1735 Pennsylvania Gazette essay (primary source, National Archives Founders Online)
historycarper.comChecked using claude-fable-5, 21 August 2026Full transcript of the Feb 4, 1735 Pennsylvania Gazette essay; exact phrase 'an Ounce of Prevention is worth a Pound of Cure' confirmed by direct fetch

Nothing made from these words yet — Storyfaire is where they get made.

More from Benjamin Franklin

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 Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

Benjamin Franklin Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

Benjamin Franklin Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

Benjamin Franklin Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

Benjamin Franklin Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

Benjamin Franklin

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