Recommended Reading
- ‘Benjamin Franklin: An American Life‘ by Walter Isaacson
- ‘The Way to Wealth‘ by Benjamin Franklin
- ‘The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin‘ by Benjamin Franklin
- ‘The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin‘ by H.W. Brands
- ‘Ben Franklin’s Almanac of Wit, Wisdom, and Practical Advice‘ by The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Inspirational Quotes by Benjamin Franklin (American Founding Father, Inventor)
Well, Doctor, what have we gota Republic or a Monarchy?A Republic, if you can keep it.
—Benjamin Franklin
When befriended, remember it; when you befriend, forget it.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Gratitude
Then there was a maiden speech, so inaudible, that it was doubted whether, after all, the young orator really did lose his virginity.
—Benjamin Franklin
Remember that time is money. He that can earn ten shillings a day by his labor, and goes abroad or sits idle one half of that day, though he spends but sixpence during his diversion or idleness, ought not to reckon that the only expense; he has really spent, or rather thrown away, five shillings besides.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Time
When friends are in trouble, don’t bother them by asking if there is anything you can do. Think of something appropriate and do it.
—Benjamin Franklin
Well done is better than well said.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Communication, Doing Your Best, Doing, Accomplishment, Procrastination, Action, Example, Inaction, Getting Going
A Temper to bear much, will have much to bear.
—Benjamin Franklin
I confess that there are several parts of this Constitution which I do not at present approve, but I am not sure I shall never approve them. For having lived long, I have experienced many instances of being obliged by better information, or fuller consideration, to change opinions even on important subjects, which I once thought right, but found to be otherwise.
—Benjamin Franklin
Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.
—Benjamin Franklin
The things which hurt, instruct.
—Benjamin Franklin
The praise of a fool is incense to the wisest of us.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Praise
Wink at small faults; remember thou hast great ones.
—Benjamin Franklin
If we do not hang together, we will all hang separately.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Cooperation
If you would keep your Secret from an enemy, tell it not to a friend.
—Benjamin Franklin
By diligence and patience, the mouse bit in two the cable.
—Benjamin Franklin
An empty bag will not stand upright.
—Benjamin Franklin
They that won’t be counselled, can’t be helped.
—Benjamin Franklin
Work as if you were to live 100 years, Pray as if you were to die To-morrow.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Prayer
A spoonful of honey will catch more flies than a gallon of vinegar.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Tact
I was told, continued Egremont, that an impassable gulf divided the Rich from the Poor; I was told that the Privileged and the People formed Two Nations, governed by different laws, influenced by different manners, with no thoughts or sympathies in common; with an innate inability of mutual comprehension.
—Benjamin Franklin
Fish & visitors stink in 3 days.
—Benjamin Franklin
The small progress we have made after four or five weeks close attendance and continual reasonings with each other is, methinks, a melancholy proof of the imperfection of the human understanding. We indeed seem to feel our own want of political wisdom, since we have been running about in search of it. We have gone back to ancient history for models of government, and examined the different forms of those republics which, having been formed with seeds of their own dissolution, now no longer exist.
—Benjamin Franklin
God helps them that help themselves.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Self-reliance
Haste makes waste.
—Benjamin Franklin
He’s a Fool that cannot conceal his Wisdom.
—Benjamin Franklin
A little neglect may breed great mischief. For want of a nail, the shoe was lost; for want of a shoe, the horse was lost; and for want of a horse, the rider was lost; being overtaken, and slain by the enemy. All for want of care about a horse-shoe nail.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: One Step at a Time, Planning, Preparation
He that lives upon Hope, dies fasting.
—Benjamin Franklin
Discussions should be conducted without fondness for dispute or desire for victory.
—Benjamin Franklin
If your head is wax, don’t walk in the sun.
—Benjamin Franklin
Speak little, do much.
—Benjamin Franklin
Want of Care does us more Damage than Want of Knowledge.
—Benjamin Franklin
Everyone likes flattery; and when you come to Royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Flattery, Royalty
Whate’er’s begun in anger ends in shame.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Anger
You may delay, but time will not, and lost time is never found again.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Time, Value of Time, Procrastination, Time Management, One liners, Carpe-diem
Wealth is not his that has it, but his that enjoys it.
—Benjamin Franklin
Topics: Wealth, Riches
Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight.
—Benjamin Franklin
Silence is not always a Sign of Wisdom, but Babbling is ever a Mark of Folly.
—Benjamin Franklin
The Sun never repents of the good he does, nor does he ever demand a recompence.
—Benjamin Franklin
Have you somewhat to do tomorrow; do it today.
—Benjamin Franklin
If you do not want to be forgotten, when you are dead and rotting, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing.
—Benjamin Franklin
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
William Jennings Bryan American Political leader
Benjamin Harrison American Political leader
Che Guevara Argentine-Cuban Revolutionary
John Morley, 1st Viscount Morley of Blackburn British Statesman
J. William Fulbright American Political leader
Henry L. Stimson American Political leader
Edmund Burke British Philosopher, Statesman
Laurens van der Post South African Explorer, Writer
Mohandas K. Gandhi Indian Hindu Political leader
Nelson Mandela South African Political leader