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Benjamin Franklin Quotes - Page 32

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I hope...that mankind will at length, as they call themselves reasonable creatures, have reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats; for in my opinion there never was a good war, or a

I hope...that mankind will at length, as they call themselves reasonable creatures, have reason and sense enough to settle their differences without cutting throats; for in my opinion there never was a good war, or a bad peace.

Benjamin Franklin
Peace, War, Cutting

If time be of all things the most precious, wasting time must be, as Poor Richard says, “the greatest prodigality'; since, as he elsewhere tells us, 'Lost time is never found again'; and 'What we call time enough always proves little enough'. Let us then up and be doing, and doing to the purpose; so by diligence shall we do more with less perplexity.

Benjamin Franklin
Time, Purpose, Littles
"The Autobiography and Other Writings".

Most fools think they are only ignorant.

Benjamin Franklin
Thinking, Ignorant, Fool
Benjamin Franklin (2007). “Poor Richard's Almanack”, p.75, Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise." He planned his routine around waking up at 5 a.m. and asking himself "What good shall I do this day?

Benjamin Franklin
Wise, Men, Healthy

We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.

Benjamin Franklin
Teamwork, Peace, Team Building
To John Hancock, at the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, 4 July 1776

Thinking aloud is a habit which is responsible for most of mankind's misery.

Benjamin Franklin
Thinking, Misery, Habit

A change of fortune hurts a wise man no more than a change of the moon.

Benjamin Franklin
Wise, Hurt, Moon
Benjamin Franklin (2004). “Poor Richard's Almanack”, p.251, Barnes & Noble Publishing

There seems to be three ways for a nation to acquire wealth: the first is by war...this is robbery; the second by commerce, which is generally cheating; the third by agriculture, the only honest way.

Benjamin Franklin
Cheating, War, Agriculture

Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.

Benjamin Franklin
Money, Greatest Wealth, Riches
Benjamin Franklin (2008). “The Way to Wealth and Poor Richard's Almanac”, Nayika Publishing

A highwayman is as much a robber when he plunders in a gang as when single; and a nation that makes an unjust war is only a great gang.

Benjamin Franklin
Peace, War, Unjust
Benjamin Franklin (1836). “The Works of Benjamin Franklin: Containing Several Political and Historical Tracts Not Included in Any Former Ed., and Many Letters Official and Private, Not Hitherto Published; with Notes and a Life of the Author”, p.483

Righteousness, or justice, is, undoubtedly of all the virtues, the surest foundation on which to create and establish a new state. But there are two nobler virtues, industry and frugality, which tend more to increase the wealth, power and grandeur of the community, than all the others without them.

Benjamin Franklin
Two, Justice, Community

And where is the Prince who can afford to so cover his country with troops for its defense, as that ten thousand men descending from the clouds, might not in many places do an infinite deal of mischief, before a force could be brought together to repel them?

Benjamin Franklin
Country, Men, Clouds
Benjamin Franklin (2014). “The Papers of Benjamin Franklin: Volume 41: September 16, 1783, through February 29, 1784”, p.478, Yale University Press

If we give up freedom for security, we are in danger of losing both.

Benjamin Franklin
Giving Up, Losing, Danger

Those who give up liberty for the sake of security, deserve neither liberty nor security.

Benjamin Franklin
Giving Up, Liberty, Sake

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that; for it is true we may give advice, but we cannot give conduct.

Benjamin Franklin
Inspirational, School, Giving
Benjamin Franklin (1986). “The Autobiography and Other Writings”, p.220, Penguin

Before you consult your fancy, consult your purse.

Benjamin Franklin
Fancy, Purses

The longer I live the more convinced I become that God governs in the affairs of men. And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? Or do we imagine we no longer need His assistance.

Benjamin Franklin
Powerful, Men, Needs
Benjamin Franklin, Jared Sparks (1848). “The Life of Benjamin Franklin: Containing the Autobiography, with Notes and a Continuation”, p.514

Some volumes against Deism fell into my hands ... they produced an effect precisely the reverse to what was intended by the writers; for the arguments of the Deists, which were cited in order to be refuted, appeared to me much more forcibly than the refutation itself; in a word, I soon became a thorough Deist.

Benjamin Franklin
Hands, Order, Religion
Benjamin Franklin (1815). “The works of the late Dr. Benjamin Franklin: consisting of his Life, written by himself. Together with humorous, moral and literary essays, chiefly in the manner of the Spectator. Among which are several not in any American edition”, p.74

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

Benjamin Franklin
Hate, Anger, 4th Of July
Benjamin Franklin (2007). “Poor Richard's Almanack”, p.95, Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.

If you give up your freedom for safety, you don't deserve either one

Benjamin Franklin
Inspirational, Giving Up, Safety

Courteous Reader, Astrology is one of the most ancient Sciences, held in high esteem of old, by the Wise and the Great. Formerly, no Prince would make War or Peace, nor any General fight in Battle, in short, no important affair was undertaken without first consulting an Astrologer.

Benjamin Franklin
Wise, War, Fighting

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

Benjamin Franklin
Common, Disturbed, Trifles
Benjamin Franklin, William Temple Franklin (1850). “The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin: Published Verbatim from the Original Manuscript, by His Grandson, William Temple Franklin”, p.76

The apostle Paul very seriously advised Timothy to put some wine in his water for health's sake, but not one of the apostles nor any of the holy fathers have ever recommended putting water in wine

Benjamin Franklin
Father, Wine, Water

He that waits upon fortune, is never sure of a dinner.

Benjamin Franklin
Inspirational, Life, Destiny
Benjamin Franklin (2012). “Wit and Wisdom from Poor Richard's Almanack”, p.31, Courier Corporation

A life of leisure and a life of laziness are two things. There will be sleeping enough in the grave.

Benjamin Franklin
Motivation, Sleep, Two
Benjamin Franklin (1839). “The Life and Miscellaneous Writings of Benjamin Franklin”, p.49

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