Benjamin Franklin Quotes
-
We are a kind of posterity in respect to them.
-
In 200 years will people remember us as traitors or heros? That is the question we must ask.
-
I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country; he is a bird of bad moral character; like those among men who live by sharping and robbing, he is generally poor, and often very lousy. The turkey is a much more respectable bird.
-
Man is a tool-making animal.
-
Marriage is the proper Remedy. It is the most natural State of Man and therefore the State in which you are most likely to find solid Happiness... When Women cease to be handsome, they study to be good... You should prefer old Women to young ones.
-
Freedom of speech is a principal pillar of a free government; when this support is taken away, the constitution of a free society is dissolved, and tyranny is erected on its ruins. Republics and limited monarchies derive their strength and vigor from a popular examination into the action of the magistrates.
-
I believe there is one Supreme most perfect being. … I believe He is pleased and delights in the happiness of those He has created; and since without virtue man can have no happiness in this world, I firmly believe He delights to see me virtuous.
-
I think opinions should be judged of by their influences and effects; and if a man holds none that tend to make him less virtuous or more vicious, it may be concluded that he holds none that are dangerous, which I hope is the case with me.
-
Mankind are all formed by the same Almighty being, alike objects of his Care & equally designed for the Enjoyment of Happiness the Christian Religion teaches us to believe & the Political Creed of America fully coincides with the Position.
-
I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion of the means.
-
It would be thought a hard Government that should tax its People one-tenth Part of their Time, to be employed in its Service.
-
Much less is it adviseable for a Person to go thither to America, who has no other Quality to recommend him but his Birth. In Europe it has indeed its Value; but it is a Commodity that cannot be carried to a worse Market than that of America, where people do not inquire concerning a Stranger, What is he? but, What can he do?
-
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.
-
Ambition has its disappointments to sour us, but never the good fortune to satisfy us.
-
A penny saved is a penny got.
-
There never was a good war or a bad peace.
-
Distrust & caution are the parents of security.
-
A penny saved is two pence clear.
-
If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed.
-
A lady asked Franklin: 'Well, Doctor, what have we got-a Republic or a Monarchy?'. Franklin replied: 'A Republic, if you can keep it.'