Benjamin Franklin

Founding Father, Polymath American 1706 – 1790

Founding father known for 'Early to bed, early to rise' wisdom.

385 quotes

"Employ thy time well if thou meanest to gain leisure."
Time
"There are three faithful friends an old wife, an old dog, and ready money."
Friendship
"Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five."
Life
"If we do not hang together, we shall surely hang separately."
"Our whole business here is to persuade people."
Leadership
"A society of order and laws is not despotism when the law is reasonable and the order is just."
Justice
"Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember."
Truth
"Understanding your limitations is a form of strength."
Strength
"The superior man considers always the consequences."
Wisdom
"Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration."
Success
"You will know the truth and it will set you free."
Freedom
"Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards."
Relationships
"Anger is never without a reason, but seldom with a good one."
Patience
"A man of knowledge likes to think alone in his leisure hours."
Solitude
"The sting of a reproach is the truth of it."
Truth
"Human felicity is produced not so much by great pieces of good fortune that seldom happen, as by little advantages that occur every day."
Happiness
"Mankind are very odd creatures."
Philosophy
"Learn from the past, set vivid, detailed goals for the future, and live in the only moment of time over which you have any power: now."
Wisdom
"Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn."
Education
"Either write something worth reading or do something worth writing."
Motivation
"Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead."
Truth
"We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid."
Knowledge
"Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship."
Money
"The best investment is in the tools of one's own trade."
Success
"There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know oneself."
Wisdom
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
Freedom
"Genius without education is like silver in the mine."
Education
"If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins."
Wisdom
"The life so short, the craft so long to learn."
Time
"Do not fear mistakes. There are none."
Courage