Quotes by Benjamin Franklin

About Benjamin Franklin:

Benjamin Franklin is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove, among other inventions. He facilitated many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and a university.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

They who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. —written for the Pennsylvania Assembly in its , 11 November 1755

Benjamin Franklin

Were I a Roman Catholic, perhaps I should on this occasion vow to build a chapel to some saint, but as I am not, if I were to vow at all, it should be to build a light-house. [Letter to his wife, 17 July 1757, after narrowly avoiding a shipwreck; oft...

Benjamin Franklin

If we look back into history for the character of present sects in Christianity, we shall find few that have not in their turns been persecutors, and complainers of persecution. The primitive Christians thought persecution extremely wrong in the Paga...

Benjamin Franklin

Whoever would overthrow the liberty of a nation must begin by subduing the freeness of speech.

Benjamin Franklin

...wine [is] a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.

Benjamin Franklin

Lost Time is never found again.

Benjamin Franklin

Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.

Benjamin Franklin

If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.

Benjamin Franklin

He that drinks his cider alone, let him catch his horse alone.

Benjamin Franklin

To all apparent beauties blind, each blemish strikes an envious mind.

Benjamin Franklin

Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other, and scarce in that.

Benjamin Franklin

There are three faithful friends, an old wife, an old dog, and ready money.

Benjamin Franklin

Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead.

Benjamin Franklin

Nothing can illustrate these observations more forcibly, than a recollection of the happy conjuncture of times and circumstances, under which our Republic assumed its rank among the Nations; ; the free cultivation of Letters, the unbounded extension ...

Benjamin Franklin

The theology of the average colored church is basing itself far too much upon 'Hell and Damnation'—upon an attempt to scare people into being decent and threatening them with the terrors of death and punishment. . [ ]

Benjamin Franklin

Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employment...

Benjamin Franklin

To enlarge the sphere of social happiness is worthy of the benevolent design of a Masonic institution; and it is most fervently to be wished, that the conduct of every member of the fraternity, as well as those publications, that discover the princip...

Benjamin Franklin

I regret exceedingly that the disputes between the protestants and Roman Catholics should be carried to the serious alarming height mentioned in your letters. ; and I was not without hopes that the enlightened and liberal policy of the present age wo...

Benjamin Franklin

Slavery is such an atrocious debasement of human nature, that its very extirpation, if not performed with solicitous care, may sometimes open a source of serious evils. The unhappy man who has been treated as a brute animal, too frequently sinks bene...

Benjamin Franklin

An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

Benjamin Franklin

The people heard it, and approved the doctrine, and immediately practiced the contrary.

Benjamin Franklin

Author Bio

  • NameBenjamin Franklin
  • DescriptionAmerican author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman, and diplomat
  • AliasesThe First American; Silence Dogood; Ben Franklin
  • BornJanuary 17, 1706
  • DiedApril 17, 1790
  • CountryUnited States Of America
  • ProfessionWriter; Politician; Publisher; Printer; Political Theorist; Postmaster; Inventor; Political Activist; Statesman; Diplomat; Dilettante; Polymath; Chess Player; Designer; Musician; Political Philosopher; Autobiographer
  • AwardsFellow Of The Royal Society; Copley Medal